Pacific Brands (PBG)

Shares / Stock Code

PBG

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

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Pacific Brands Limited (PBG) is a company engaged in sourcing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing consumer products that are essential for everyday life. Its primary market is in the Asia-Pacific region. PBG was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on the 2nd of April 2004. Its average annual revenue reaches approximately $1.8 billion out of its issued capital of approximately $500 million. Its headquarters is located in Victoria, Australia and to date; around 9000 people are employed in the company. Pacific Brands Limited operates mainly in four business segments: footwear, home comfort, outwear and sport, underwear and hosiery.

The footwear segment of PBG primarily operates in UK and Australia through, Pacific Brands (UK) limited, the company's wholly owned subsidiary. This segment offers a variety of footwear for children, men and women. Included in the brands under this segment are Clarks, Candy, CAT, Hush Puppies, Grosby, Julius Marlow, Pierre Fontaine, Naturalizer and Sachi.

Under the home care segment, Pacific Brands Limited manufactures and markets pillow, mattresses, bedding accessory products, bed lined and foam in the company's market in Australia and New Zealand. Included in the brands under this segment are Tontine, Sleepmaker, Dunlopillo, Simmons, Peri, Dunlop Foams, Dunlop Flooring, Serta and Actil.

The outwear and sport segment of PBG supplies casual clothing, workwear, footwear, sports clothing, sport equipment as well as hard goods like bicycles and bicycle helmets. Included in the brands under this segment are Lightning Bolt, Hang Ten, Amco, Slazenger and Lee Cooper. This segment also supplies cricket, golf and tennis equipment uder the brands of Slazenger, Dunlop, Niblick and Maxfli.

The underwear and hosiery business segment of Pacific Brands Limited offers a variety of intimate apparel, underwear, socks and hosiery for children, men and women. The market brands under this segment are Razzamatazz, Kayser, Voodoo, Schiaparelli, Kolotex, Antz Panta, Playtex, Lovekylie, Sheer Relief and Jockey.

Pacific Brands Company History

Pacific Brands started manufacturing Dunlop bicycle tyres in 1893. The company launched the first manufactured product - the rubber galoshes. It took Empire Racket Co. and began sporting goods market in 1937. In 1960, the company created innerspring mattresses' Sleepmaker line. It took the Holeproof brand in 1969 and began marketing socks and underwear. Soon in 1971, branded footwear business was established and gained Grosby. In addition, it started to import footwear after obtaining Winestock in 1982.

Pacific Dunlop division was founded in 1985. The operation spread its underwear business and obtained Bonds in 1987. The company got into outerwear market after buying Boydex International. Clarks and Hush Puppies permits were gained and the company began to manufacture branded footwear business.

After a year, Sara Lee apparel Australasia was obtained fully by the company including Playtex, King Gee, Stubbies and Razzamatazz brands. CVC Asia and Catalyst Investment Managers were taken in the same year. It extended its business in 2003 and bought women's footwear brands Kolotex hosiery and Sachi.

Pacific Brands Limited was a public company in 2004 after enlisting partially on the Australian Stock Exchange. The company was permitted to retail Merrell Footwear. Permits to distribute Esprit footwear and home comfort products and Kenneth Cole footwear was bestowed to the company. Streetwear division of Globe International was acquired by Pacific Brands Limited in October 2006.