Famed German sandal maker Birkenstock is readying for an initial public offering (IPO). According to reports from Bloomberg, private equity firm L Catterton, Birkenstock’s majority owner, is reportedly exploring options to take the company public as soon as this year or next.

Backed by LVMH, L Catterton bought the footwear giant alongside Financière Agache in 2021, when the company was valued at approximately $4.35 billion USD. Just two years after L Catterton’s acquisition of Birkenstock, the company could be valued at or above $6 billion USD in an IPO, according to the outlet’s sources.

The Bloomberg news report notes that L Catterton has been in recent talks with investors, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, regarding the brand’s next steps, though deliberations are still in occurrence.

This news comes after a big year for the nearly-250-year-old sandal maker, during which it has focused on the continued expansion of its production sites globally. In Germany, specifically, Birkenstock opened a new $131 million USD factory in a small town north of Berlin.

Elsewhere, the brand continues to revitalize signature silhouettes in collaboration with neighboring brands across the fashion domain, including the likes of Fear of God and Gucci.

In other fashion news, Kenzo is set to stage its first show in China later this month.
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