FootJoy
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Golf equipment and apparel |
| Founded | January 1, 1910 in Acushnet, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Founder | Philip E. "Skipper" Young |
| Headquarters | Fairhaven, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | David Maher (President and CEO) |
| Products | Golf equipment, apparel, accessories (including Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, Vokey Design, Union Green, Pinnacle) |
Number of employees | 3,000 |
| Parent | Fila Korea (majority owner) |
The Acushnet Company is a U.S.-based enterprise specializing in the golf sector, managing prominent brands that manufacture golf equipment, apparel, and related accessories.
Its core portfolio features Titleist, distinguished for its golf balls and clubs; FootJoy, which concentrates on footwear and gloves; Scotty Cameron, a premier putter brand; Vokey Design, recognized for its wedges; Union Green, catering to casual golfers with balls and accessories; and Pinnacle, known for distance golf balls.
History
Established in Acushnet, Massachusetts in 1910 by Philip E. "Skipper" Young, the company initially produced rubber goods before transitioning into a leading golf equipment manufacturer. The Golf division introduced the Titleist golf ball in 1935, which continues to be the company’s signature product.
In 1976, American Brands (later renamed Fortune Brands) acquired Acushnet. In 1995, Fortune Brands sold off Acushnet’s original rubber operations to concentrate on its main business areas. By December 2010, Fortune Brands revealed intentions to spin off Acushnet to focus on its alcoholic beverage division.
On May 20, 2011, a group led by Fila Korea and Mirae Asset Private Equity purchased Acushnet for $1.23 billion, with the deal closing on July 29, 2011. Acushnet subsequently launched an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on October 28, 2016.
By August 2018, Fila Korea had raised its controlling interest to 53.1% through additional share acquisitions from investors including Mirae Asset.
David Maher currently serves as president and CEO, guiding Acushnet’s strategic expansion within the global golf industry. The company employs roughly 3,000 individuals and owns subsidiaries such as FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, Pinnacle, Titleist, and Vokey Design. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
Operations
With approximately 3,000 employees in Massachusetts, Acushnet ranks among the largest employers in the region. Its main offices and Packing and Distribution Center are located in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, roughly three miles south of its original founding location.
The company runs two golf ball manufacturing facilities along with an R&D Technology Center located in the New Bedford Industrial Park, as well as a Custom Golf Ball manufacturing plant in New Bedford.
Notable sites include:
- Ball Plant 2: 256 Samuel Barnett Boulevard, North Dartmouth, MA
- Ball Plant 3: 215 Duchaine Boulevard, New Bedford, MA
- Ball Plant C: 700 Belleville Avenue, New Bedford, MA
- Ball Plant 4: Acushnet Titleist (Thailand) Ltd., Rayong, Thailand
- Distribution Center: 333 Bridge Street, Fairhaven, MA
- R&D Center: 181 Samuel Barnett Boulevard, North Dartmouth, MA
Brands
Acushnet’s flagship brands comprise FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, Titleist, and Vokey.
FootJoy
Originally founded in 1857 and acquired by Acushnet from General Mills in 1985, FootJoy is a leading Massachusetts-based golf apparel brand. It commands the largest market share for golf shoes and gloves within the United States.
FootJoy’s offerings include athletic footwear, golf gloves, clothing items such as shirts, shorts, pants, socks, sweaters, jackets, hoodies, along with accessories like bags, caps, and umbrellas.
Scotty Cameron
Based in California, Scotty Cameron focuses on crafting premium golf putters. The company's founder began designing putters in his mother-in-law’s garage before forming a partnership with Titleist.
The "Custom Shop" at Cameron provides personalized putter modifications such as paint filling, custom engraving, shaft bands, and grip options. The brand is recognized for its luxury image, with putter models named after notable California coastal towns and wine country areas like Newport Beach and Sonoma.
A significant aspect of the brand’s distinction is Acushnet’s trademark of "G.S.S." (German stainless steel) under the Cameron name. This term denotes the exclusive use of 303 stainless steel in high-end putters, giving the brand a unique edge through product specialization.
Titleist
Established in 1932 by Phillip E. "Skipper" Young, an MIT alumnus, Titleist is renowned for its golf balls and clubs. Since 1935, Acushnet has been manufacturing Titleist golf balls, which have consistently held a prominent market position, including being the top choice at the 1949 U.S. Open.
Vokey Design
The Vokey brand was developed by Canadian craftsman Bob Vokey (born 1939), who shifted from playing golf to producing golf clubs in the United States. His expertise in craftsmanship helped establish a well-regarded line of golf equipment.