PUMA

An inspiring entrepreneurial story, what began as two brothers- Rudolf and Adolf Dassler- handcrafting sneakers in their mother’s laundry room is today one of the biggest sports brands in the world. German multinational corporation Puma designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel and accessories, headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. Today it is acclaimed as the third largest sportswear manufacturer worldwide. 

The story of Puma began in Rudolf Dassler’s mother’s laundry room where his brother Adolf made sports shoes after his return from WWI. Their father, Christoph, who worked in a shoe factory, and brother Zehlein, who produced handmade spikes for track shoes in their blacksmith’s shop, supported the business, and Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory was formed. The brothers made spiked running shoes lightweight by replacing metal spikes with canvas and rubber and gifted a pair to sprinter Jesse Owens to wear at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Owens laced up and won gold; his stellar performance boosted sales and the brothers sold 200,000 pairs each year before WWII. In 1943, production ceased and the company’s facilities and workforce was employed to build anti-tank weapons. The Dassler factory was almost destroyed in 1945 by US forces but spared when they explained to the GIs that the firm was interested only in manufacturing shoes; the American occupying forces subsequently became buyers of the Dassler brothers’ shoes. However, the brothers had bitter differences and went separate ways; Adolf launched ‘Adidas’ and Rudolf launched ‘Puma’.

In 1948, at the first football match after WWII, several members of the West German national football team laced up in Puma. In 1952 Rudolf developed a football boot with screw-in studs named Super Atom in collaboration with West Germany’s national team coach Sepp Herberger. Several members of West Germany’s national team wore the shoes during the country’s first post-war football match: a 1-0 win against Switzerland in 1950. From that moment, the brand was on a roll. In the 1952 Summer Olympics, 1500-m runner Josy Barthel laced up in Puma and won gold. Heinz Fütterer broke the 100-m world record in Yokohama, Japan while wearing Puma running shoes, in 1954. At the 1960 Summer Olympics Puma paid German sprinter Armin Hary to wear its shoes in the 100-m sprint final. The German laced up and won gold. During the 1968 Olympics Black Power Salute, the brand sponsored African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

Puma partnered athletes Mary Peters, Great Britain; John Akii-Bua, Uganda; Randy Williams, USA; and Klaus Wolfermann, West Germany and all of them won gold at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Puma was tennis player Guillermo Vilas‘ constant. He won French Open, US Open and Australian Open, laced up in Puma tennis shoes. The Torero, a pioneering shoe by founder Rudolf Dassler’s son Armin, is the first shoe equipped with a sole that supports the natural movement of the foot. It made its debut at FIFA World Cup 1982. In 1985, tennis legend Boris Becker worked with Puma to design shoes that prevent ankle turning s that he could take more risks on the court. Soon after, Martina Navrátilová also inked a three-year outfitter deal with Puma.

In 1991 Puma launched the game-changing disc technology on a running shoe; it was the first sports shoe without laces and with a system of internal wires that tighten the upper for a perfect fit. Heike Drechsler, Dieter Baumann and Linford Christie won Gold at the Olympics in Barcelona wearing Puma Disc Spikes. Puma also introduced the RS Computer Shoe, with an integrated device that measured the runner’s speed and pace. Sadly, it sold poorly. During this period, Rudolf’s sons Armin and Gerd Dassler, sold their seventy- two per cent stake in Puma to Swiss business Cosa Liebermann SA. On 10 April 2007 retail conglomerate Pinault- Printemps- Redoute bought twenty seven per cent stake in Puma, paving the way for a “friendly” takeover reportedly worth €330 a share. By July 2007, it owned over sixty per cent stock.

The brand continues to forge forward in competitive sports. Puma is primary producer for Formula One and Nascar apparel; sponsored the 2006 FIFA World Cup champions, the Italian national football team; and inked a partnership with BMW, Ducati and Ferrari to make shoes. Rihanna was named Creative Director of Puma, supervising the womenswear line in December 2014. That year, Puma and Arsenal Football Club entered a five-year merchandising partnership. In 2018, Puma re-entered the basketball sneaker market for the first time in twenty years and made Jay-Z creative director of Puma Basketball. More recently, in September 2020, Puma inked a deal with Brazilian football player, Neymar.

Recently Puma appointed June Ambrose as the brand’s creative partner. "June's role as a creative partner highlights Puma's continued focus on creating premium offerings that merge style with performance" Puma said in a press release. Ambrose added: “Beyond the collections, it' important to me that the collaboration is rooted in social impact and Puma's work in the social justice space to empower youth through sport makes them the perfect partner.”

‘We aim high, and when we score our goals, we aim even higher. All to achieve one thing: to be the Fastest Sports Brand in the World.’

Puma’s mission is to set ambitious goals and continually push boundaries to establish itself as the fastest sports brand in the world. The brand is driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, striving to excel in both performance and innovation. By aiming high and surpassing its own benchmarks, Puma focuses on delivering products that not only meet but exceed the expectations of athletes and consumers, setting new standards in the sports and lifestyle market.

Central to Puma’s mission is the commitment to continuous improvement and relentless ambition. The company’s drive to achieve and exceed its goals reflects its dedication to becoming the leading force in sports performance and fashion. This mission underscores Puma’s focus on innovation, quality, and speed, ensuring that every achievement propels the brand closer to its ultimate objective of being recognized as the fastest and most influential sports brand globally.

Puma envisions to be the most desirable and sustainable sports-lifestyle company in the world. Thei core tam's vision today is encapsulated perfectly in this brand statement on the official website: "Forever Faster is more than being quick. It is our mantra. It is more than seventy years of fast products for fast athletes. We aim high and when we score our goals we aim even higher. All to achieve one thing: to be the Fastest Sports Brand in the World."

The company aims to lead in both sports and fashion by driving cutting-edge design and technology that meet the evolving needs of athletes and consumers alike. Puma’s vision focuses on merging high performance with cutting-edge aesthetic, ensuring that their products not only excel in functionality but also make a bold fashion statement.

Additionally, Puma is committed to sustainability and social responsibility as key components of its vision. The brand strives to incorporate eco-friendly materials and practices into its product development processes, reflecting a dedication to reducing environmental impact and promoting ethical production. By integrating sustainability with innovation, Puma seeks to inspire positive change within the industry and among its global customer base. This holistic approach to performance, style, and responsibility defines Puma’s vision of leading the sports and lifestyle market while fostering a more sustainable future.

Puma offers products for football, basketball, running, fitness, golf, cricket, motorsports and athleisure. This includes men's and women's apparel, accessories, footwear, sports wear and sports equipment. The diverse products and services designed to cater to sports and lifestyle needs include:

1. Sports Categories:

• Football: Apparel, footwear, and accessories designed for football players and enthusiasts.
• Basketball: Performance footwear, apparel, and accessories for basketball players.
• Running: Running shoes, apparel, and accessories tailored for runners.
• Fitness: Workout clothing, footwear, and equipment suited for fitness activities.
• Golf: Specialized golf apparel, footwear, and accessories.
• Cricket: Cricket-specific clothing, footwear, and gear.
• Motorsports: Apparel, footwear, and accessories designed for motorsports fans and participants.
• Athleisure: Stylish and functional clothing for everyday wear with a sports-inspired edge.

2. Product Types:

• Men's and Women's Apparel: Sportswear and casual wear for men and women, including shirts, jackets, pants, shorts.
• Accessories: Items such as bags, caps, socks, and other complementary accessories.
• Footwear: Shoes for various sports, including performance-oriented designs and lifestyle options.
• Sports Equipment: Gear and equipment related to different sports, such as footballs, cricket bats, and other specialized items.

Puma’s extensive product portfolio supports a broad spectrum of athletic and lifestyle needs, combining performance, style, and functionality across different sports and casual wear.