The French Aqualung Group, which specializes in the manufacture of diving and high-performance water sports equipment, has announced the successful sale of its Stohlquist brand to California-based Sport Dimension Inc.
The sale of Stohlquist completes the exit from the Swim Snorkel Paddle business in North America. The group had already sold the US Divers brand a few weeks ago. In North America, the Aqualung Group is now strategically focussing on its core markets: diving equipment and the provision of equipment for military and professional customers. With this strategy, the group is committed to increasing its investment in digitalization and technology and accelerating its sustainable growth trajectory by drawing on its unique industrial and technical expertise.
“We are pleased to be selling our brand Stohlquist to Sport Dimension Inc. which is the best company to grow the business with a very strong manufacturer and distributor experience across the watersports industry,” commented Michel Abaza, Chairman and CEO of Aqualung Group. “For Aqualung Group, this marks the last step in shifting our operations to our core businesses and in strengthening further our leadership in the global diving industry.”
The Aqualung brand pioneered the creation of modern diving equipment in 1943 when Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau partnered with Emile Gagnan to develop the first scuba gear that made underwater exploration a reality. Today, Aqualung is considered the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of diving equipment and is one of four remaining global brands within the Aqualung Group brand portfolio (Aqualung, Apeks, Omer and Aquasphere).
