Lafuma
Millet Mountain Group (outdoor business) · France
Lafuma is a French outdoor brand created in 1930, known for backpacks, camping furniture, sleeping bags, tents and clothing. Lafuma Outdoor was part of the Millet Mountain Group sold by Calida in April 2022.
| Created | 1930 |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Seller in 2022 | Calida Group (Millet Mountain Group) |
| Buyers in 2022 | Jean-Pierre Millet and Inspiring Sport Capital |
| Segment | Sportswear and outdoor |
| Website | lafuma.com |
What is Lafuma?
Lafuma is a French outdoor and leisure brand. According to the French Wikipedia entry, the company was created in 1930. The page does not name the founders but says Philippe Joffard, who took over in 1984, was the grandson of one of them.
History
- 1936: began making backpacks with metal frames
- 1954: entered camping furniture
- 1984: filed for bankruptcy and was taken over by Philippe Joffard
- 1985: added sleeping bags and tents
- 1991: added clothing
- 1995: acquired Millet and Le Chameau
- 1997: listed on the Paris stock exchange's second market
- 2008: took over Eider
In 2013 Joffard resigned and the founding family sold its 15 per cent stake to Calida, which raised its holding from 50.6 to 60 per cent in 2014.
Ownership
Calida Group completed the sale of Millet Mountain Group, which included Millet and Lafuma Outdoor, on 20 April 2022. The buyers were Jean-Pierre Millet and the private equity company Inspiring Sport Capital. Which entity currently holds other Lafuma businesses, such as furniture, was not verified for this profile.
Products and positioning
The group's activity has covered sports and leisure equipment, including backpacks, camping furniture, sleeping bags, tents and clothing. In 2017, revenue was split across mountain (95.66 million euros), outdoor furniture (37.97 million euros) and surf (26.78 million euros).
Why it matters
Lafuma illustrates the evolution of a French backpack maker into a diversified outdoor group, and its later breakup shows how listed multi-brand outdoor businesses have been unwound into separate owners.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Lafuma?
Lafuma Outdoor was part of Millet Mountain Group, which Calida Group sold in April 2022 to Jean-Pierre Millet and Inspiring Sport Capital. Ownership of other Lafuma activities was not verified.
Where is Lafuma from?
Lafuma is a French brand, created in 1930, known for backpacks, camping furniture, sleeping bags, tents and clothing.