How it started
Industrial past (1950–1985)
The company began life as a tobacco manufacturer and distributor, Amer-Tupakka, in 1950 (later to be renamed Amer-Yhtymä Oyj followed by its current designation) and acquired the right to produce and sell Philip Morris cigarettes in Finland in 1961. In the 1960s, the significant profits from the company's tobacco interests were invested in three commercial ships. A publishing and printing division was added in 1970 with the purchase of the Finnish company Weilin+Göös, and the company listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange in 1977, four years after changing its name to Amer-Yhtymä (English: Amer Group).
In the 1980s, Amer moved into the vehicle import industry by acquiring the firm Korpivaara, and with it the exclusive rights to import and distribute such brands as Citroën and Toyota. In 1984 Amer was listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 1985, Amer acquired Marimekko. The decade also saw the company expand into for example the plastics markets.
Focus on sport (1986–present)
The company got involved in the sports equipment market starting in 1974. They bought the Finnish ice hockey gear maker Koho-Tuote in 1974, its North East US distributor Koho Sporting Goods Corporation in 1978, the Canadien hockey stick manufacturer Les Industries du Hockey Canadien Inc. as well as ice hockey protective equipment manufacturer
in 1979. In 1986, Amer sold all their ice hockey related businesses but established a sports division after acquiring a majority stake in the golf equipment maker MacGregor Golf from Jack Nicklaus.
From Wikipedia’s article on Amer Sports, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3