Shimano Purchases Pearl Izumi

Japanese cycling-component giant Shimano announced today that it has purchased Pearl Izumi, a leading maker of apparel and footwear for cycling and running, from the fitness company Nautilis, Inc.

"The acquisition brings together two companies started by Japanese families who share a passion for cycling,” said David Pfeiffer, president of Shimano American Corporation, in a press release. “Both have strong research and development backgrounds, offer industry leading innovations, and share an obsession with quality and performance."

Nautilis, Inc., based in Vancouver, Washington, is reporting that the total purchase value is $69.5 million. Pearl Izumi, with headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, and Kirchzarten, Germany, will now be wholly owned by Shimano American, the U.S. subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Shimano, Inc. But the press release noted that Pearl Izumi would remain as a standalone company with separate management. And despite the acquisition, Shimano will continue to make its own branded apparel and footwear.
—John Bradley for Outside Magazine Online