Amer Sports is increasing its annual production capacity through investments in Europe to enable its brands to grow further. The group said a new Nordic ski factory is nearing completion in Bulgaria, while preparations have begun for an alpine ski binding factory in Romania.
The new ski factory will open up in Bulgaria in the second half of this year. This expansion initiative is designed not only to support the growth plans of Amer’s brands but also “to meet the growing demand from our consumers.” Located in Asenovgrad, the factory will be the group’s second facility in Bulgaria and third in Europe. Asenovgrad is located just 50 kilometers northeast of the existing plant in Chepelare, Bulgaria. Construction in Asenovgrad is well underway and proceeding according to plans, with full operational readiness expected in 2024.
The factory in Chepelare will exclusively focus on alpine ski production, while the factory in Asenovgrad will specialize in Nordic skis. Meanwhile, the existing ski factory in Altenmarkt, Austria, will continue to produce both high-end Alpine and Nordic skis for the group’s brands, including Salomon, Atomic and Armada. 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.
In addition to the expansion in Bulgaria, Amer is preparing to build a new alpine ski binding factory in Oradea, Romania. With this strategic move, the group aims to reduce its dependence on third-party manufacturers. Alpine binding manufacturing is planned to be integrated in Romania by transitioning from the current partnership model to a fully in-house Amer Sports production by 2025.
