Birkenstock may file for an IPO proving its sandals business is worth billions and Wall Street is hungry for new stocks.

Birkenstock may file for an IPO proving its sandals business is worth billions and Wall Street is hungry for new stocks.

Birkenstock: From Sandals to High-Fashion Brand

Birkenstock

Birkenstock, the German sandal maker founded nearly 250 years ago, is potentially heading towards an IPO in the US. Private equity firm L Catterton, backed by luxury French fashion house LVMH, is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase on this listing, according to Bloomberg News. The potential valuation for Birkenstock is estimated to be as high as $10 billion, a testament to the company’s impressive growth and success in recent years.

Birkenstock has come a long way since its humble beginnings. What was once a simple sandal brand has now transformed into a high-fashion powerhouse. The company has made headlines with collaborations with luxury names such as Dior, Manolo Blahnik, and Valentino. It has also seen its sandals become a fashion statement, with variants from labels including Celine and Givenchy. The popularity of Birkenstock has reached new heights, attracting the attention of fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike.

The blockbuster success of the recent Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie, has given Birkenstock an unexpected boost. In one scene of the movie, Robbie’s character dons a pair of pink Birkenstocks, catapulting the brand into the spotlight. It goes to show that even after nearly two and a half centuries, Birkenstock can still capture the imagination of audiences worldwide.

Financially, Birkenstock has been performing exceptionally well. In 2022, the company recorded a revenue increase of 29% to approximately €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion), resulting in adjusted earnings of €394 million. These figures highlight the strong demand for Birkenstock’s products and the company’s ability to generate substantial profits. To support its growth, Birkenstock has been heavily investing in its production facilities, including the construction of a new €120 million factory in Pasewalk, a town north of Berlin.

The potential IPO of Birkenstock comes more than two years after L Catterton and the family investment company of billionaire Bernard Arnault acquired a majority stake in the business. This acquisition valued Birkenstock at about €4 billion, a significant milestone for the company. Now, with the potential listing in the US market, Birkenstock’s valuation could reach even greater heights.

The timing of the IPO couldn’t be better, as the US market for initial public offerings looks to be revived after a sluggish 18 months. Recent successes, such as the debut of restaurant chain Cava Group Inc., have brought renewed optimism to the IPO space. Birkenstock’s potential IPO could further fuel this positive trend and attract enthusiastic investors looking to capitalize on the company’s continued success.

In conclusion, Birkenstock’s journey from a simple sandal brand to a high-fashion powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. With its potential IPO in the US, the company has the opportunity to further solidify its position in the fashion industry. As Birkenstock continues to innovate and collaborate with luxury names, its appeal and market value are set to soar. Investors and fashion enthusiasts alike will be keeping a close eye on Birkenstock’s future, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in its extraordinary story.