Lotto buys out sports footwear brand

04 Dec '06

3 min read

Lotto Sport Italia, world leader in the production of technical footwear for soccer and tennis, announces its acquisition of Etonic Worldwide, a major US shoe manufacturer for running, golf, bowling and walking.

The acquisition allows Lotto to significantly strengthen its US market position by bringing an important and well-known brand within its portfolio. According to a recent study, Etonic is one of the best known sports footwear brands among US consumers, and has significant market share and equity in the segments of golf and bowling.

Etonic's management re-launched its golf brand in 2004 and entered the bowling market in 2005. With the recent re-launch of its running and walking lines, Etonic is quickly regaining the prestigious position it held in the past. In Spring 2006, the “JeparaSC” running shoe was judged best new Motion Stabilizing shoe by the editorial staff at Running Network.

Founded in 1876 in Brockton, Massachusetts, Etonic Worldwide is known for its leading-edge technology that has created a heritage of “firsts”. The brand has brought new innovations into each category in which it competes; most notably building the first GORE-TEX waterproof golf shoe, as well as a line of injury-prevention running and walking shoes.

Lotto Sport Italia, the company led by Andrea Tomat (who will also become President of Etonic) will therefore add new sectors of excellence to those of soccer and tennis, where Lotto is among the world's leaders. Important synergies are expected in distribution as Lotto will capitalize on its sales network to bring the Etonic brand and products into Europe. In addition, Lotto's products will be marketed and distributed in the US by the operations set up at Etonic.

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