SUP, windsurf, surfboard and wingfoil brand Mistral has been acquired by Dutch equity investor NMG. The Haarlem-based investor will take over 100% of the shares and will take an active role in guiding Mistral in accelerating its international growth.
With 60 worldwide employees, Mistral, founded in 1976, is active in more than 10 countries with a product collection including SUPS, windsurfboards, surfboards, wingfoils, clothing, footwear and lifestyle products. Last year it sold more than 200,000 SUPs in Germany alone.
“The success of recent years can be attributed to the strong brand that Mistral has been for decades,” says Mistral president Ado Huisman. “This heritage allows us to be relevant instantly in new categories while offering many opportunities in a rapidly developing market like watersports. Because of our focus on branding, I selected a partner with a strong brand vision to add the next legendary chapter to the Mistral book.”
Adds NMG’s Arnaud van der Vecht: “Mistral is no longer just the windsurfing brand it used to be. The brand is clearly still surfing a big wave, and we respect Ado Huisman and his team for what they have achieved. Mistral has the stature, radiance and credibility to extend this success even further by building more own business under the Mistral brand. We are looking forward to a great adventure!”