Beijing Sanfo Outdoor Products Co and Swiss apparel specialist X-BIONIC signed a strategic cooperation agreement at Sanfo Outdoor Headquarters in Beijing, China, on 30 March 2019. This marks the beginning of a new strategic partnership. Executives from the Ministry of Sport in Beijing were among the guests when X-BIONIC entered the Chinese market.
The agreement provides for Sanfo Outdoor to collaborate with X-BIONIC in the areas of development, distribution and production. Sanfo Outdoor will be the exclusive strategic partner to launch the new X-BIONIC 4.0 collection on the Chinese market.
In addition to this new strategic initiative, the two partners also agreed to establish their own research and development centre. The “Nature Mimicry Research and Development Center” will be dedicated to research into technologies for functional garments that help to improve athletic performance and quality of life.
X-BIONIC is a specialist technological sportswear brand, which focuses on designing and developing high-tech functional clothing. X-BIONIC develops value-added product and technology solutions for renowned brands such as Automobili Lamborghini and Harley-Davidson, as well as for the aviation, military and ski industries.
X-BIONIC has circa 800 international patent registrations, over 622 test and award wins (including 19th place in the iF Global Innovation Ranking), 34 German Red Dot Design Awards and 71 Plus X Awards. The Swiss brand received 15 awards for its design, achievements and innovation in 2019 alone.
Wang Ping, Deputy Director of the Equipment Center of the State General Administration of Sports, attended the signing conference, where he emphasized the great significance of the event and underscored the importance of the timing of this strategic cooperation. He said, “China’s GDP exceeded 90 trillion in 2018 and per capita income is almost 10,000 US dollars. National involvement in sports is seen as an important impetus for healthy economic development.
“China’s successful bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics is generating additional momentum. With major investments in the sports industry, Chinese sports brands have increased their sales and profitability compared to the previous year. China is developing from a major sporting goods manufacturer into a true powerhouse of sport with X-BIONIC.”
