The scent of sawdust and ambition has long permeated the workshops of ABEO, a French family business quietly shaping the landscape of global sports. From its humble beginnings in Rioz, Franche-Comté, this industrial powerhouse, with a turnover of €280 million and over 1,700 employees across 20 production sites in 13 countries, has become an indispensable force behind the world’s most prestigious sporting events. While largely unknown to the general public, its expertise is globally recognized, with 75% of its revenue generated internationally.
The Genesis of a Global Leader: From Changing Rooms to Olympic Arenas
The story of ABEO begins in 1955 with France Equipement, a company that initially specialized in fitting out sports changing rooms for local authorities. Olivier Estèves, the current CEO, joined the company in 1988 as commercial director and took the helm in 1992, succeeding his father, Bernard Estèves. This period was challenging for the family business, which was narrowly focused on a limited market. Sports changing rooms, as Olivier Estèves recalls, were low-volume products, difficult to export due to cultural constraints: “One might think they are basic, functional commodities, but in reality, a locker or a cabin is strongly constrained by local culture.” The company faced bankruptcy.
It took audacity to revive the struggling family business, and Olivier Estèves possessed it in spades. He began by identifying new, complementary markets. His profound passion for sports-both the practice and the collective dimension-led him to explore this mature and innovative sector. He embarked on a strategy of external growth, seeking existing companies compatible with his limited resources at the time. “We emerged from receivership in 1996 and had to continue repaying a debt from that recovery plan. We had little room for maneuver,” he emphasizes.
The opportunity finally arose in 2002 when the founders of Gymnova, the French leader in gymnastics equipment, decided to sell their company. Gymnova, already present in international markets, had previously acquired two entities: one specializing in gymnastics and team sports, and another in climbing walls. After forming a banking consortium, ABEO was created in 2002. Olivier Estèves unified these brands, structured the industrial group into three divisions (sports, sportainment & climbing, and changing rooms), strengthened Gymnova’s international position, and ushered the family business into a new era.
This vision proved fruitful. While changing rooms struggled to gain international traction, sports presented a much more fertile ground for globalization. “The sports we equip are governed by international federations. A pommel horse, for example, will have the same definition in Japan, China, the United States, South Africa, or Europe. We realized that with an existing French offering, we could much more easily achieve development in foreign markets,” explains Olivier Estèves.
In its early years, ABEO’s strategy involved organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The group made several key acquisitions that, year after year, strengthened its expertise and solidified its international presence. These included Janssen Fritsen (Netherlands) in 2014, a global leader in gymnastics equipment; Clip’n Climb International in 2017, specializing in fun climbing parks; and Sodex Sport (Vietnam) in 2025, a manufacturer of sports nets (football, tennis, athletics, etc.). These acquisitions, among many others, positioned ABEO in a niche but growing sports market, which is increasingly structured, as evidenced by events like Sport Définition organized by Bpifrance to shape the future of the sports economy.
Sportainment: A New Frontier for ABEO
Among the most promising segments, ‘sportainment’ (sport leisure) has emerged as a major trend. ABEO positioned itself early in this sector, which, according to its CEO, reflects a shift in how young people perceive sports. “Younger generations are less inclined to endure the constraints of training for competition. They are less willing to commit to training twice a week, then three to four times to progress, and then daily or even twice a day, if they want to emulate the greats they see at the Olympics or World Championships,” says Estèves.
However, these major sporting gatherings remain crucial for the Franche-Comté company. They provide global visibility, enhance its credibility with federations and communities, secure prestigious and recurring contracts, and accelerate its export development. Simone Biles, for instance, competing in the women’s balance beam final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, used equipment supplied by ABEO through its Gymnova subsidiary.
Los Angeles 2028: Another Gold for ABEO
For an equipment supplier, providing for the Olympic Games is no small feat, but ABEO is a seasoned veteran. The group had already secured the contract for Paris 2024, supplying equipment for gymnastics, 5×5 and 3×3 basketball, and climbing. The same will hold true for Los Angeles 2028, which will once again showcase French industrial expertise through the Spieth brand, the ABEO entity that won the tender.
What made the difference? According to Olivier Estèves, it was their long-standing local presence, the undeniable quality of their equipment, and, most importantly, the hyper-specialization of the group’s brands in their respective disciplines. Spieth, for example, has supplied 16 Olympic Games, giving them a significant advantage over more generalist competitors. “Most of our brands have been renowned in their product segment and niche for a very long time. But above all, we must highlight the expertise of the teams who manufacture and implement them. They are both passionate and possess a wealth of accumulated know-how,” concludes Estèves, who is banking on these Olympic Games to rekindle the already strong enthusiasm for his equipment.
As the world looks forward to the spectacle of Los Angeles 2028, ABEO will once again be there, a silent but essential partner, ensuring that athletes have the best possible stage to achieve their dreams, and reminding us that true innovation often thrives away from the limelight, forged by dedication and a passion for sport.
Source: https://bigmedia.bpifrance.fr/nos-actualites/des-jo-de-paris-a-los-angeles-abeo-lincontournable-des-grands-evenements-sportifs
