MVC Group, an Italian technical sports apparel company backed by private equity firm Equinox, has acquired Tailfin, a Bristol, United Kingdom-based manufacturer of premium bikepacking bags, racks, and cycling accessories. The acquisition adds a fast-growing equipment brand to MVC’s portfolio, which includes Castelli, Sportful, Karpos, and Zoot. Tailfin generated nearly €10 million in revenue during 2025, following approximately 50% average annual growth over the previous five years. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition marks MVC Group’s entry into the premium bikepacking market, expanding its offerings beyond technical apparel into specialized cycling equipment and accessories.
Founded in 2017 by mechanical engineer and product designer Nick Broadbent, Tailfin has developed a range of products designed for bikepacking, adventure cycling, and other activities requiring specialized bicycle storage and carrying systems.
The company’s product portfolio includes premium bags, racks, and accessories developed through materials research, engineering, and extensive product testing.
Tailfin has established an intellectual property portfolio comprising more than 20 granted and pending patents, reflecting its investment in proprietary product design and manufacturing technologies.
Over the past five years, the company has expanded internationally while maintaining an emphasis on engineering and technical performance.
Its revenue increased at an average annual rate of approximately 50%, reaching nearly €10 million in 2025.
More than half of Tailfin’s revenue was generated in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, providing an established foundation for further international expansion.
Through the acquisition, Tailfin will gain access to MVC Group’s commercial and industrial infrastructure, including its distribution network spanning 75 countries and 10 subsidiaries.
The transaction is intended to accelerate Tailfin’s international development while providing additional manufacturing, distribution, and operational resources.
Broadbent and Tailfin’s existing management team will continue leading the business and will retain a minority ownership stake.
This structure is designed to preserve the company’s product development capabilities and brand identity while supporting its expansion within MVC Group.
For MVC, Tailfin represents a complementary addition to its existing cycling portfolio.
Its Castelli and Sportful brands specialize in technical cycling apparel, while Tailfin’s bags, racks, and accessories provide opportunities to serve customers seeking a broader range of cycling equipment.
The acquisition also gives MVC access to additional engineering expertise and intellectual property that could support product development across other sports categories.
These opportunities extend to Zoot, MVC’s triathlon apparel and accessories brand, and Karpos, its technical outdoor apparel business.
MVC Group’s expansion strategy involves acquiring specialist brands with established market positions and using its international infrastructure to support their growth.
The Tailfin transaction is the group’s fourth transaction completed in less than a year.
Earlier developments included the launch of its tenth international subsidiary in the United Kingdom, the acquisition of Wolvenberg, which led to the establishment of MVC Benelux, and Zoot’s acquisition of its European distributor, resulting in the creation of Zoot Europe.
MVC had previously established a three-year industrial plan targeting €150 million in annual revenue by 2028.
Following the Tailfin acquisition, management expects to revise those revenue targets upward, reflecting the expansion of the group’s portfolio and potential commercial and manufacturing synergies.
The group reported more than €110 million in consolidated revenue during 2025 and currently employs approximately 500 people.
Founded in 1946 by the Cremonese family, which continues to control the business, MVC operates across cycling, outdoor sports, cross-country skiing, and triathlon.
Its established brands include Sportful, founded in 1973; Castelli, founded in 1876 and acquired by MVC in 2003; Karpos, established in 2007; and Zoot, acquired in 2023.
The group has been backed by Equinox since 2019, supporting its acquisition strategy and international expansion.
With Tailfin joining its portfolio, MVC plans to use its distribution network and industrial capabilities to expand the brand’s international presence while pursuing opportunities for technical innovation across its existing sports categories.
KEY QUOTES:
“The most valuable acquisitions are those that strengthen an organisation’s capabilities. With Tailfin, we are not simply adding a new product category: we are integrating a leading brand whose positioning around excellence and strong focus on innovation are fully aligned with our own brands, while also being complementary to their offering. We are also integrating a strategic asset: the company’s distinctive technological expertise and extensive intellectual property, which could generate product innovation across the different disciplines in which we operate, from cycling and triathlon to outdoor sports. We are delighted to welcome Nick and the entire team and look forward to working together to unlock Tailfin’s potential for further international growth and to embark on a new phase of shared development.”
Emilio Foà, CEO Of MVC Group
“Since Tailfin was founded, we have invested heavily in innovation to develop products that set the standard within the rapidly growing category of bikepacking and adventure cycling. Joining MVC Group will allow us to accelerate this journey further, leveraging the Group’s industrial strength and international presence, while preserving the identity, autonomy and innovation culture that have made Tailfin so successful.”
Nick Broadbent, Founder And CEO Of Tailfin
