BOTHELL, Wash.--()--Leading running brand Brooks Sports, Inc. (www.brooksrunning.com) today announced an important mile marker in global brand growth: It will open its first Asian subsidiary, Brooks Sports K. K., in the world’s second-largest running market, Japan. Partnering with Custom Produce INC. (CPI), Brooks will bring its industry-award-winning emphasis on customer service and its unique Run Happy approach to the Japanese market in 2012.
“To reach our goal to be the leader in performance running by 2020, we need partners who share our passion for running and an appreciation for our Run Happy spirit,” said Jim Weber, president and CEO of Brooks Sports, Inc. “CPI is that partner for us in Japan. They share our values and an understanding for what it takes to build a premium brand. We look forward to working closely with them to introduce Brooks to Japan’s 28 million runners.”
Brooks K. K. was officially launched to Japanese retailers and media on Jan. 24, 2012, in Tokyo at a retail selling exhibition known as a “Tenjikai.” As the brand’s first step in growing the Asia-Pacific region, the event drew incredibly positive retail response, leading Brooks to double its 2012 forecast for the Japanese market.
“We are very excited about this new partnership with Brooks and the sales potential for the brand in the Japanese running market,” said Sadao Goukon, president of CPI. “We believe in the quality and innovation of Brooks’ products and that CPI will be able to grow Brooks into a major running brand in Japan. We look forward to taking the next steps to reach that goal.”
Brooks K. K. is the second international subsidiary for Brooks Sports, Inc. Brooks opened its first subsidiary in Germany nearly a decade ago. Focusing on Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Brooks EMEA experienced sales revenue growth of nearly 40 percent in 2011, relative to 2010, and more than 600 percent since its inception.
With product in more than 60 countries worldwide, Brooks is seeing brand momentum across the globe. In 2011, its international business grew by 26 percent, relative to 2010.
About Brooks
Brooks Sports, Inc. is a leading running company that designs and markets a line of performance footwear, apparel, and accessories in more than 60 countries worldwide. A subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Brooks was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. The company’s mission is to inspire everyone to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther, and faster. Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information, and follow frequent brand updates on Twitter (@brooksrunning) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/brooksrunning).