DUTCH ASSOCIATION OF SPORTING GOODS SUPPLIERS (FGHS)

FGHS is the Dutch industry association for sporting goods suppliers: sportswear,- shoes and -equipment in the broadest sense. FGHS currently has more than one hundred and forty members, who together represent 80% of the annual turnover of the industry. The FGHS is founded in 1950 and has offices in Leusden near Utrecht.

OUR OBJECTIVE

FGHS’ main objective is to be the center of knowledge,  information and inspiration for the sporting goods industry. As such we organise seminars, workshops, trainings, events and meetings with and for our members, together with i.e. retail- and consumer organizations, sport associations, research institutes, universities, Dutch government , Dutch Olympic Committee and many other actors in the field. We also help and advise our mainly SME members to develop, expand and to grow their business, in the Netherlands and abroad by supporting them to find new markets. With our own “Innovation Coach” we stimulate our members to be innovative.

We serve the interests and are the voice of our members by representing them in all kinds of forums, governmental departments and organizations and create a network. Nationally and internationally. The FGHS Academy offers skill trainings to our members, doing so we try to increase the knowledge and professionalism of our industry.

SUB-CLUSTERS

FGHS is divided into sub- clusters. They represent different sectors of the sports industry. This makes it easier for members and stakeholders operating in the same sector to address common concerns and challenges and to develop joint activities. The FGHS has e.g. the following sections: Winter Hardware, Running, Tennis, Golf, Fitness, Hockey, Outdoor and Equestrian.

These sub-clusters represent the specific sector. The sub-clusters identify trends and developments with regard to the specific sector (from public opinion, sectorial wishes to entrepreneurial qualities and innovations, from market information sharing , sustainability to retail trends) and act as a sounding board for the various organizations, events, studies and projects.

The sub-clusters bring together all stakeholders, from primary entrepreneur to supplier, from media to universities, from branch association and sports association to sports retailers, students, experts, companies and athletes together and accelerate the development, market approach, knowledge  and embrace new products and services.

Sub-clusters also work with each other and by each other (crossovers). By joining forces, thus they increase the competitiveness of our member companies. Furthermore they make sports more sustainable and contribute to a future-proof sports economy.

CONNECTING PEOPLE

FGHS and its sub-clusters are  the linking pin and provide the network  between members, private and public companies/ organizations, universities, sport associations, retail organizations, NGO’s, innovation centers, training institutes and local and national governments  abroad and in the Netherlands.

We also facilitate  in- and outgoing business missions and organize matchmaking events. All these connecting activities support and contribute to identify and explore new business development opportunities for our members, helping them with their internationalization strategy and finding new partners.

EVERYTHING WE DO AND THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE

In line with our current policy, we proactively provide the following range of support services:

• We advise our members on social, economic and legal issues and also provide other information;
• We alert them to business opportunities;
• We have a monthly e-newsletter with information about, or related to, our industry, share market information,  invitations for seminars etc.;
• We organize company visits to companies from outside our industry and have the yearly “FGHS Inspiration Tour”;
• We have an excellent network of universities, research- and knowledge institutes, such as TNO, Fontys, HAS, TMO, Mulier Instituut, Kenniscentrum sport & bewegen
• We have close relationships with the key public sector actors involved in designing policy support mechanisms for our industry, e.g Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,  NL.inBusiness, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport,  ZonMw
• We also regularly organise seminars, workshops,  events, matchmaking events and trade missions with the support of national and regional development and export agencies, e.g. ; Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Brabant Sport
• We were and are also many times the host, as a representative of the industry, for foreign business missions (e.g. France, Australia and China), thus building many new relationships and opportunities for our members;
• We participate in boards of organizations, expert groups, advice panels and round tables for the sport sector;
• We have set up the FGHS Academy with key training institutes to ensure adequate skills development for our members ;
• We connect to innovation platforms to help companies access knowledge and become part of the Dutch sport innovation ecosystem. We are involved and have privileged relations with e.g.  Sports & Technology, SportInnovator, Trendpanel Paard, InnoSportLab Sport & Beweeg
• We help our members connect with public and private sector, nationally and internationally, to improve their competitiveness;
• We issue general terms and conditions of sale and delivery in several languages and advise our members on how to apply these terms and conditions;
• We have negotiated preferential conditions with various other organizations. This means that our members are able to benefit from discounts on e.g. (credit) insurance, logistics/transport and legal support.

Examples of recent events and highlights;

Sport innovatie congres 2020 (congress to stimulate sport, vitality & innovations for all members and stakeholders)

CIRCO track: Circular chain management of clothing and textiles    (workshop for all members)

Kansen voor NL sportindustrie in Vietnam (webinar to create conditions for Vietnamese and Dutch companies to enhance business links)

Kansen en bedreigingen van het selectieve distributiemodel (seminar for all members)

France meets Hollands; Meet & Match innovative and creative French companies (matchmaking event with Business France & Embassy)

Rechtstreekse verkoop aan de Chinese consument (seminar for all members )

Hippische Monitor 2019 (research & publication Trendpanel Paard)

Sportfocus 2019 (research & publication and congress Retail/Industry)

Winteropening Solden 2019 (test event for retail and end consumers Winter Hardware sub-cluster)

FGHS Inspiratie Tour 2018 (company visits and network event for members and stakeholders)

De running specialist in de toekomst (seminar and network event for retail, stakeholders and members Running sub-cluster)

Business mission to Rusia (business mission and matchmaking for members)