Fueling our brands’ growth, we are increasing our annual production capacity through investments in Europe. A new Nordic ski factory is nearing its completion in Bulgaria, while preparations have begun for an Alpine binding factory in Romania.
We are excited to announce the upcoming full opening of a new ski factory in Bulgaria in the second half of this year. This expansion initiative is designed to support the ambitious growth plans of our brands and meet the growing demand from our consumers.
Located in Asenovgrad, the factory will be our second one in Bulgaria, and third in Europe. Asenovgrad is located just 50 kilometers Northeast of our existing facility in Chepelare, Bulgaria. Construction in Asenovgrad is well underway and proceeding according to plans, with full operational readiness expected in 2024.
Our factory in Chepelare will exclusively focus on Alpine ski production, while the factory in Asenovgrad will specialize in Nordic skis. Meanwhile, our ski factory in Altenmarkt, Austria will continue to produce both high-end Alpine and Nordic skis. Furthermore, Altenmarkt continues to develop as a ski technology hub, pioneering new production processes, setting industry benchmarks, and supplying components and raw materials to the other sites. Our portfolio includes Salomon, Atomic, and Armada skis.
Investing in own production
In addition to the expansion in Bulgaria, we’re preparing to build a new Alpine binding factory in Oradea, Romania. Though this strategic move, we aim to reduce our dependence on third-party manufacturers.
We will integrate Alpine binding manufacturing in Romania, by transitioning from our current partnership model to a fully in-house Amer Sports production by 2025. Our new facility will enable us to better fulfil the Alpine binding needs of our brands Salomon, Atomic, and Armada.
“As Amer Sports expands its manufacturing footprint in Europe, we are driven by a steadfast commitment to fueling our brands’ growth ambitions. Our investment in in-house production underscores our dedication to quality and innovation, ensuring that our brands, including Salomon, Atomic, and Armada, continue to deliver excellence”, says Stefan Leberbauer, Senior Vice President Winter Sports Operations at Amer Sports.