Zoot Sports (MVC Group) acquires Tailwind Brands to accelerate European growth

Zoot Sports, a US triathlon apparel and accessories company currently based in Carlsbad, California, and owned by Italy’s MVC Group of Fonzaso (BL), has acquired Tailwind Brands GmbH of Bönen (North Rhine-Westphalia), its European distributor for more than a decade, for an undisclosed sum. The deal is intended to expand and consolidate Zoot’s presence in Europe, a fast-growing market for a sport posting annual growth of 7% to 8%. MVC Group expects to triple Zoot’s European sales over the next three years.

Zoot Europe’s operations will continue to be led by Marcus Voss, managing director of Tailwind Brands. MVC Group (whose full name is Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A.), which specialises in technical apparel for cycling and outdoor sports, is thereby strengthening its commitment to triathlon, an Olympic discipline that boasts a growing number of events, athletes and enthusiasts across Europe. Underscoring Zoot’s prominent role on the international triathlon scene, the brand is a partner of the Ironman circuit for the four-year period 2025–2028.

“The investment in Zoot, a brand the group acquired two years ago, is fully consistent with our long-term vision: to achieve a leadership position in the triathlon segment, a sport that is steadily growing and has an attractive base of high-spending consumers,” said Emilio Foà, CEO of MVC Group, in a statement.

Zoot Sports was founded more than 40 years ago in Kona, Hawaii- the beating heart of triathlon and home to the Ironman World Championship- when the sport was still in its infancy. “The acquisition of Tailwind, together with MVC Group’s resources and network, now allows us to take a more direct role in operations and to invest more decisively in product innovation, marketing and athlete engagement across the region,” said Doug Vargo, CEO of Zoot Sports, who also noted that “this sport is expanding rapidly in Europe. In fact, triathlon is growing at a rate of 7% to 8% annually and its European apparel and accessories market is expected to exceed $500 million by 2030.”

MVC Group was founded in 1946 by the Cremonese family, who are still at the helm of the group today with their third generation. Since 2019, 40% of the business is owned by the Equinox fund. MVC Group specialises in technical sportswear for cycling and outdoor activities under the Sportful, Castelli, Karpos, and Zoot brands. The group operates in 75 countries worldwide, has 7 subsidiaries and more than 250 employees, and closed last year with consolidated sales of nearly 110 million euros and an EBITDA margin of about 14%.