Macron S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of sportswear and athletic clothing, headquartered in Crespellano, Bologna. It is considered a European leader in the production of active sportswear.[1]
Merchandising: official kits, free-time apparel, and accessories for the supporters of Macron's sponsored clubs.
Leisurewear: sports-inspired apparel for those wishing to wear Macron off the field.[1]
Origin of name
The company's name comes from the greek prefix "μακρο-" (makro-) which means "large". This is to emphasize the large scope of the company and its view for the business. It was then modified to "Macron" to be the opposite of "micron", which is a unit of length to measure something small.[2]
Macron was founded in 1971 as a distributor of American sportswear brands in Italy.[1] A major expansion of the organisation took place in 1994, coincident with relocation and consolidation to Crespellano.[1]
Macron began providing teamwear to professional football in 2001, its first contract being with Bologna.[1] Expansion beyond the domestic Italian market began in 2005.[1]
In 2014, Macron secured a four-year agreement with Bolton Wanderers for naming rights to their home stadium, with the stadium becoming known as the Macron Stadium from July 2014.[3] Macron supplanted Reebok as both stadium sponsor and kit supplier.[3]
Corporate governance
As of 2014[update], Macron's chief executive officer (CEO) was Gianluca Pavanello.[4] and the company's president was Francesco Bromioli.[5]
Sponsorships and customers
Macron sponsors or makes a variety of organisations, teams and, events. In many cases, the wording of published accounts does not make a clear demarcation between a case where a team has purchased kit (aka uniforms or strip) versus those whose kit has been provided as a matter of sponsorship. The following is a partial list of these sponsorship/customer relationships.[citation needed]