Jackson Reid
The TaylorMade Golf Company is an American sports equipment manufacturing company based in Carlsbad, California. It was independently owned until 1984 when it was acquired by Salomon S.A. Over the years, it has changed ownership several times, with companies like Adidas and KPS Capital Partners taking over at different times. As of 2021, it is owned by Centroid Investment Partners, a South Korea-based private equity fund. The company has a strong presence in the golf industry and is known for its continuous innovation in metalwoods, irons, and golf balls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current owner | Centroid Investment Partners |
| Previous owner | KPS Capital Partners |
| Year Centroid Investment Partners acquired TaylorMade | 2021 |
| Amount paid by Centroid Investment Partners to acquire TaylorMade | $1.7 billion |
| Previous owner before KPS Capital Partners | Adidas |
| Year Adidas acquired TaylorMade | 1997 |
| Previous owner before Adidas | Salomon S.A. |
| Year Salomon S.A. acquired TaylorMade | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Carlsbad, California, United States |
| Year founded | 1979 |
| Initial sales amount | $24,000 |
| Year TaylorMade reached $1 billion in revenue | 2006 |
| Current CEO | David Abeles |
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What You'll Learn
TaylorMade was independently owned until 1984
TaylorMade Golf Company, an American sports equipment manufacturing company, was independently owned until 1984. It was founded in 1979 by Gary Adams, a golf equipment salesman. He took a $24,000 loan on his house and rented a 6,000-square-foot building in McHenry, Illinois, that once housed a television assembly plant. The company started with three employees, including Adams, and a single product—a 12-degree driver cast of stainless steel.
Adams' metalwood was unique in its steel construction, which replaced persimmon as the primary material for modern drivers. It soon adopted the nickname "Pittsburgh Persimmon". TaylorMade's initial success was attributed to this innovation in golf club design, which offered greater forgiveness on mishits and an easier launch of the ball into the air due to its lower centre of gravity.
In 1979, the company generated $47,000 in sales. Fifteen years later, in 1994, TaylorMade was acquired by Salomon S.A., marking the end of its independence. This union was strategically advantageous for both companies. Salomon sought to diversify its offerings and enter the "three-season" market, while TaylorMade gained access to Salomon's global resources.
Since 1984, TaylorMade has changed ownership several times. After the Salomon acquisition, it was bought by Adidas in 1997. In 2017, KPS Capital Partners acquired TaylorMade for $425 million. Most recently, in May 2021, Centroid Investment Partners, a Korean private equity firm, purchased TaylorMade from KPS.
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Salomon S.A. acquired the company in 1984
TaylorMade Golf Company is an American sports equipment manufacturing company based in Carlsbad, California, United States. The company focuses on the golf equipment market, producing golf clubs, balls, and clothing.
TaylorMade was independently owned until 1984, when it was acquired by Salomon S.A. This union was strategically compatible for both companies, which were innovators in their industries. Salomon wanted to diversify and enter the "three-season" market, and TaylorMade benefited from the worldwide resources of Salomon.
At the time, TaylorMade had recently found success with its first product, metal drivers, which debuted in 1979 and subsequently dominated the golf market. The company's focus on research and development, aggressive marketing, and commitment to innovation were key factors in its early success. TaylorMade's metal clubs became the industry standard, and the company was soon a coveted acquisition target for larger corporations.
Salomon S.A., a French ski equipment manufacturer, recognised the potential of TaylorMade's innovative products and acquired the company in 1984. This acquisition gave Salomon a promising entry into the golf market, while TaylorMade gained financial benefits and resources from being included under Salomon's corporate umbrella. This union between TaylorMade and Salomon was more than just a strategic alliance; it was a necessary step for TaylorMade to maintain its lead in the metal club market and continue driving innovation in the industry.
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Adidas bought Salomon in 1997
After Adidas' acquisition of Salomon and, by extension, TaylorMade, the golf company's image and focus were redirected towards taking over the driver market. This goal was achieved in late 2005 when TaylorMade officially became the top driver in golf. The company continued to expand, buying golf clothing companies Ashworth in 2008 and Adams Golf in 2012.
In 2017, Adidas AG sold TaylorMade to KPS Capital Partners for $425 million. This deal was completed in November 2017, and shortly after, TaylorMade announced it had parted ways with Sergio García, who had been with the brand for 15 years. In 2021, KPS sold TaylorMade to Seoul-based Centroid Investment Partners, a South Korean private equity fund, for $1.7 billion.
Centroid Investment Partners has continued to invest in research and development while expanding TaylorMade's market presence globally. The company has maintained its position as an industry leader through continuous innovation in metalwoods, irons, and golf balls, and has a strong presence among Tour professionals, with a roster including Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, and Rory McIlroy.
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KPS Capital Partners acquired TaylorMade in 2017
KPS Capital Partners acquired TaylorMade Golf Company from Adidas AG in 2017 for a total of US$425 million. The deal was announced on May 10, 2017, and was completed in November of the same year.
The acquisition included the TaylorMade, Adams, and Ashworth brands, which were previously purchased by TaylorMade in 2008 and 2012, respectively.
David Abeles, Chief Executive Officer of TaylorMade at the time, expressed optimism about the partnership with KPS, stating that it marked an exciting new era for the company. He highlighted the strategic vision, operational resources, and capital access that KPS offered, which aligned with TaylorMade's commitment to creating technically advanced and performance-driven golf equipment.
KPS Capital Partners is a private equity firm that has a history of successful acquisitions from leading companies. They have a strategic approach to creating value for investors and portfolio companies, focusing on improving strategic positions, competitiveness, and profitability.
In 2021, KPS sold TaylorMade to Centroid Investment Partners, a South Korea-based private equity fund, for an undisclosed sum. The sale came amidst a period of strong growth in the golf industry, with retail sales of golf equipment rising to $2.81 billion in 2020, a 10% increase from the previous year.
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Centroid Investment Partners purchased TaylorMade in 2021
Centroid Investment Partners LC, a Seoul-based private equity firm, purchased TaylorMade Golf Company, Inc. in 2021 for $1.7 billion. The acquisition was Centroid's first overseas buyout and was financed by Shinyoung Securities.
TaylorMade, an American sports equipment manufacturing company, was previously owned by KPS Capital Partners, who acquired the company for $425 million in 2017. KPS sold the company to Centroid in 2021, marking a 4.4 times increase in enterprise value since their acquisition.
Centroid Investment Partners was founded in 2015 by former Macquarie investment banker Jeong Jinhyeok. The firm has a history of strategic buyout transactions in Korea across diverse industries, including fabric maker Kolon Advanced Fiber and book distributor Woongjin Booxen.
The acquisition of TaylorMade was a significant milestone for the company, as it aimed to boost its market share in Asia and expand its clothing and other businesses. TaylorMade's high growth rates, industry-leading technologies, and strong brand recognition made it an attractive investment opportunity for Centroid.
Following the purchase, Centroid planned to prepare TaylorMade for an initial public offering (IPO), seeking a considerable amount of capital gain. However, as of 2025, reports suggest that Centroid may be considering selling TaylorMade, with the decision potentially influenced by the performance of the Tiger Woods apparel line, Sun Day Red.
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Frequently asked questions
TaylorMade Golf Company is owned by Centroid Investment Partners, a Korean private equity firm.
No, the company was independently owned until 1984 when it was acquired by Salomon S.A. Adidas then bought Salomon in 1997. In 2017, KPS Capital Partners acquired TaylorMade for $425 million, before selling it to Centroid Investment Partners in 2021.
TaylorMade Golf Company is an American sports equipment manufacturing company based in Carlsbad, California. The company focuses on the golf equipment market, producing golf clubs, balls, and clothing.
TaylorMade Golf Company was instrumental in ushering in the modern era of clubs with its innovation of metal drivers, which debuted in 1979. The company continues to be an industry leader through continuous innovation in metalwoods, irons, and golf balls.
TaylorMade maintains endorsement deals with many professional golfers, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Collin Morikawa.
