

| Industry | Textile |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 1906 [1] |
| Founder(s) | Rihachi & Rizo Mizzuno |
| Headquarters | Osaka, Japan |
| Key people | Masato Mizuno (Chairman) [1] |
| Products | Clothing, Sportswear, Footwear, Sports equipment |
| Revenue | JPY 148,703,000,000 (2010)[2] |
| Net income | JPY 1,406,000,000 (2010)[2] |
| Employees | 5,808 [1] |
| Website | www.mizuno.com |
Mizuno was founded in 1906 as Mizuno Brothers Ltd by Rihachi Mizuno and his younger brother Rizo, in Osaka. The shop sold western sundries, including baseballs, and then in 1907 began to sell order-made athletic wear. In 1910 the shop moved to Umeda Shinmichi and its name was changed to Mizuno Shop. In 1913 the firm began to manufacture baseballs and gloves. In 1933 Mizuno presented Star Line, the first Japanese made golf clubs. By 1935 its golf club showroom was the world's largest. In 1941 the company name was changed to Mizuno Co., Ltd, and has remained the same since. The first American factory was established in Los Angeles, under the denomination American Mizuno in 1961.
During the following years, Mizuno signed sponsorship deals with some of the most prominent personalities in sports, such as track and field athlete Carl Lewis, the All Blacks rugby team, Czech tennis player Ivan Lendl, and golf player Nick Faldo.
The company also expanded its operation centres opening new factories in Germany, France, China PR, Scotland and Hong Kong.
In 1992 Mizuno signed another important deal with the Sydney Olympic Committee to be the exclusive supplier for the 2000 Olympic Games held in Sydney.
How much more can you push yourself before you accept your limitations?
Or believe you don't have any?
You have as much doubt as you have drive.
As much fear as you have confidence.
Yet you still get up every morning with the same objectives:
To pass the ones in front of you.
Eclipse the ones behind you.
Impress the one inside you.
Inside each of us is a better us trying to get out.
Trying to make the most of what we've got.
Trying to be more than we think we can be.
Our victories are personal.
Our devotion is perpetual.
And our potential is limitless.
Sport is our passion.
Technology is our partner.
And being the best isn't nearly as important as doing our best.
Every day you make promises to yourself.
Be tough, only tougher.
Be strong, only stronger.
Be yourself, only better.
And, above all, never waver.
Never quit.


