In an announcement made on Dec. 24, the Swiss-based Calida Group said it received a binding offer from Jean-Pierre Millet, together with Inspiring Sport Capital, for their takeover of the French-based Millet Mountain Group, which includes the Millet and Lafuma Outdoor brands. Jean-Pierre Millet is a grandson of one of the founders of the Millet brand. Inspiring Sport Capital is a private equity firm with offices in London and Paris that is fully dedicated to the sports industry and economy. The sale, which is subject to a labor council consultation process in France, is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2022.
Run since 2020 by a nephew of Jean-Pierre Millet, Romain Millet, the Millet Mountain Group generated sales of of about €75 million in 2020, employing around 750 people. Millet, a 100-year-old French brand that became famous for its backpacks in the 1950s, was acquired by the former Lafuma Group in 1995. Calida bought the Lafuma Group in stages, starting with a controlling interest at the end of 2013, but the Swiss company’s new management has been selling off many of its assets. After the previous successful divestments of Oxbow (2020) and Eider (2019), as well as the termination of the former Killy brand, the Calida Group intends to concentrate on its core lingerie and underwear business with a sharpened brand portfolio. It will keep the camping furniture business of Lafuma
