HEAD Completes AQUALUNG Group Acquisition in €50 Million Rescue Deal

HEAD Group, a global leader in sports equipment, has officially acquired the AQUALUNG Group following a ruling by the Commercial Court of Nice on June 26. The deal comes after AQUALUNG entered receivership on May 16, and marks a major turning point in the global water sports industry.

The acquisition significantly strengthens HEAD’s presence in the water sports market by adding AQUALUNG, APEKS, and AQUASPHERE to its existing portfolio of brands, which already includes MARES, SSI, rEvo, LIVEABOARD.COM, and ZOGGS.

As part of the transaction, HEAD has committed over €50 million to restructure AQUALUNG’s operations and ensure the group’s long-term future. This includes emergency funding to sustain operations and a comprehensive integration plan designed to generate synergies, enhance production facilities in France, the UK, and Mexico, and safeguard hundreds of jobs.

HEAD confirmed it will continue to invest in and grow the AQUALUNG brand alongside its other holdings. The combined group now represents the largest entity in the global water sports sector, with a shared commitment to innovation, safety, performance, and aquatic exploration.

Founded in 1943 following the invention of the original “aqua-lung” by Captain Jacques Cousteau and Émile Gagnan, AQUALUNG is a legendary name in scuba diving. Its equipment is used by divers in over 90 countries and trusted by recreational, military, and professional users alike.

HEAD’s acquisition strategy builds on previous successes. MARES, acquired in 1971, has become a leading scuba brand. SSI, brought into the group in 2014, is now the top diving certification agency in Europe. ZOGGS, acquired in 2020, has seen rapid international expansion.

With this latest move, HEAD Group not only secures the future of a historic diving brand but also positions itself as the undisputed leader in the global water sports market.