Amer Sports' sales

Amer Sports has an established, global sales organization, which is designed to support its brands and is aimed at providing its trade customers with high-level customer service in all Amer Sports’ product categories and market segments.

Amer Sports’ comprehensive sales network enables it to bring products to markets simultaneously worldwide and allows it to stay in close contact with customers, allowing it to gain knowledge of local trends and establish long-term business relationships.

As of December 31, 2009, Amer Sports had sales offices in 29 countries worldwide. Most of these offices are operated as subsidiaries of Amer Sports. The sales organization is grouped into three large geographical segments: the Americas (including the United States, Canada, and Latin America), EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia Pacific (including Japan and Australia).

The EMEA region is managed from Munich, Germany. In the United States, the Winter and Outdoor segment’s sales are managed from Ogden, Utah, Ball Sports from Chicago, Illinois, and Fitness from Woodinville, Washington. Asia Pacific is managed from Shanghai, China. In smaller markets, distribution is handled through independent importers and distributors who work closely with the Amer Sports global sales organization.

As of December 31, 2009, 2,064 people were employed in Amer Sports’ sales and distribution activities, representing approximately 32 percent of the company’s total employees.

Local sales offices are responsible for the sales, marketing, and distribution of Amer Sports’ branded products in their own markets. These offices have experience and specialized expertise in every type of sport covered by the company’s products. Furthermore, local personnel know their own markets, including the customer preferences in those markets. This knowledge allows them to adapt both product offerings and marketing to the needs and conditions of each market. This market know-how is also leveraged in research and product development in different business segments. Amer Sports sells its products to trade customers (including sporting goods chains, specialty retailers, mass merchants, fitness clubs and distributors) and, to a lesser extent, directly to consumers through brand stores, factory outlets, and the Internet.