This morning it was announced that Hillerch & Bradsby, Co. (H&B) has entered into an agreement with Wilson Sporting Goods to
acquire the Louisville Slugger brand. As a valued and important partner, I wanted to proactively reach out and answer any
immediate questions you may have.
Under the terms of our agreement, Wilson has acquired global brand, sales and innovation rights to Louisville Slugger. Our ic onic
brand joins Wilson, DeMarini and ATEC baseball/softball brands to provide best-in-class performance equipment to ball players,
coaches and teams of all levels. Pairing Wilson, the Official Ball Glove and Catcher’s Protective Gear of MLB, with Louisville Slugger,
the Official Bat and Bag of MLB, enriches and accelerates the ability to grow both brands, including DeMarini & ATEC, domestically
and abroad through R&D, sourcing, distribution, sales and marketing.
An intense focus on baseball and softball is one of the leading business strategies for Wilson globally, and H&B has created one of the
most recognizable brands in the baseball and softball business. We feel strongly that this combination can be a game changer.
This decision was not taken lightly and an extensive strategic exploration has occurred over many months. Ultimately, the Hillerich
family, board and leadership team, in unity, made a decision to change the business model to ensure future success for the next 131
years of the Louisville Slugger journey.
Moving forward, Wilson will develop, market and sell a full range of baseball and softball products under the Louisville Slugger brand
name, led by many of the same people you interact with on a regular basis today. H&B will become Wilson’s exclusive manufactu ring
partner for wood bats. H&B will manufacture all Louisville Slugger-branded MLB, Minor League Baseball, amateur player and
souvenir wood bats for Wilson. H&B will continue to manufacture wood bats at the Company’s downtown Louisville factory.
You can read our press release announcing this deal here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wilson-sporting-goods-andhillerich--bradsby-to-accelerate-growth-of-louisville-slugger-brand-300054272.html?tc=eml_cleartime
We look forward to a seamless transition of the Louisville Slugger brand into the Wilson family as we believe this will open up new
opportunities for growth.
For orders and support, please continue to contact your respective Wilson and Louisville Slugger
sales representatives and customer service teams. If you have any additional questions please contact our National Sales Managers:
Rob Piscetta
National Sales Manager- Wilson Team Sports
[email protected]
David DeLong
National Sales Director- Louisville Slugger
[email protected]
Bill Clark
President – Louisville Slugger
[email protected]
502.588.7303
As we work to integrate with Wilson over the next several months, we’ll be sure to be in touch with relevant updates.
We appreciate your business and don’t take it for granted. Thank you for your future support of the Wilson, DeMarini, ATEC and
Louisville Slugger brands.
Best regards,
Bill Clark
President, Louisville Slugger