BLK BOX Lands Growth Funding, Locks in Partnerships

BLK BOX is making some gains of its own.

The latest: The Belfast-based strength and conditioning equipment manufacturer landed a “significant” investment from private equity firm Cordovan Capital Management to pursue expansion and new product launches in Q1 2024.

Building on its key markets in the UK, Denmark, Switzerland, KSA and UAE, managing director Ben Stocks says the funds will drive its footprint in new territories like Northern Europe, the Nordics and Qatar – as well as elevate its offering.

“We are focused on expanding and innovating within our core categories of strength and conditioning, and functional fitness equipment, which is where our expertise lies and where we see the market opportunity continuing to expand.”

Powering Up

Since its start in 2012, BLK BOX’s elite partnerships have spread far and wide across sectors.

• BLK BOX is a preferred outfitter for PureGym, Gymbox and UN1T while undertaking gym installs for adidas, Nike and Soho House.
• It supplies premier football and rugby teams – from Manchester United to Stade Français and Al-Ettifaq in KSA.
• It outfits a number of university complexes, including Oxford and Eton, and just signed a deal with Loughborough to equip one of Europe’s largest S&C facilities.

Setting the stage. As strength and conditioning takes off, for both sport and leisure, operators are vying for the opportunity to create the strength floor of the future.

In new territory, Nike entered the arena with a premium strength equipment range (as well as its own boutiques), Chris Hemsworth’s Centr partnered with HYROX on equipment for affiliates and True Fitness formed a UK subsidiary to boost growth.

Meanwhile, Swedish incumbent Eleiko signalled its desire for international growth by hiring former Thule CEO Magnus Welander as chairman. Life Fitness is building out gyms for luxury hotels and Williams F1 team. And Technogym launched a smart rig called Universe while locking down exclusive supply agreements in the Middle East.

Looking ahead: As strength tops fitness trends for another year, competition is heating up. But with new products on the way in 2024 – and plenty of pro partnerships across sports, hospitality and fitness – BLK BOX already has its foot in the door.