Dainese

Dainese (pronounced dye-ee-neh-zeh; ) is an Italian manufacturer of protective equipment and technical gear for dynamic sports, including motorcycling, mountain biking, winter sports and horseriding. Founded in 1972 by Lino Dainese, it has expanded through organic growth and acquisitions, including Italian helmet manufacturer AGV in 2007.[1]

Headquartered in Bahrain, Investcorp acquired a controlling interest in the company in 2014, keeping its founder as a minority shareholder.[2][3] The company has been led by CEO Cristiano Silei since 2015.[4]

In 2022, The Carlyle Group acquired the stake held by Investcorp and became a majority shareholder in Dainese.[5][6][7]

In 2025 Dainese has been sold to the creditors from Carlyle Group for 1€ after it has gained 300 millions in debt.[8]

History

Lino Dainese started the company in 1972 when he was 20, making protective motorcycle apparel in Molvena, Vicenza, Italy.[9] The first article of clothing was a pair of motocross pants.[10] The company has been closely associated with motorcycle racing since its foundation, which has informed its product development, focused on safety, performance and ergonomics.[11]

After buying the Italian helmet manufacturer AGV in July 2007,[12] the Dainese Group was acquired for €130 million by Investcorp in 2014, keeping its founder as a minority shareholder and president.[13] Lino Dainese then founded D Airlab, a research center for applying D-air technology for non-sports users, such as construction workers and the elderly.[14]

Since its acquisition in 2014, the group has reported annual revenue growth from €117 million in 2013 to €184.7 million in 2017, during which period the number of employees increased from 609 to 757, as of March 2018.[15][16] Currently, it maintains its headquarters and its Research and Development and Design Centers in Italy, as well as two regional offices: one in California, USA and one in Hong Kong.[17]

In 2022, The Carlyle Group acquired the stake held by Investcorp and became a majority shareholder in Dainese.

Products

Dainese Group helmets are branded AGV, while the suits, jackets, shock-absorbing armors and back protectors, pants, boots, gloves and accessories are branded Dainese. These products are made with materials including traditional cowhide, kangaroo skin, aramid, carbon fiber and titanium, and are sold off-the-rack, made-to-measure, or custom made.[18] In 2017 Dainese added the motorcycling fashion clothing brand "Settantadue" ("seventy-two" in Italian).[19][20][21]

Dainese has diversified its product range over the years to cover mountain biking, skiing and horse riding, often using the technologies developed for motorcycle racing.[22][23][24]

Research

The Dainese Technology Center (D-Tec) develops protection and apparel-related technologies for the group companies and other applications. The company has registered 118 patents.[25] In MotoCAP's independent safety research, various Dainese products – such as the Avro 4, Prima72 and Fighter jackets – have achieved high test scores.[26]

Design awards

Dainese has employed designers including Yohji Yamamoto, Adriano Goldschmied, Marc Sadler, Renato Montagner, and Aldo Drudi. The company has won the following design awards.

2001 T-Age suit – ADI Compasso d'Oro International Award[35]

2017 Mugello R suit – RedDot Design Award[36]

2017 Mugello R suit – Good Design Award[37]

2017 Mugello R suit – International Design Excellence Award[38]

2017 Pro Armor protector – RedDot Design Award[36]

2017 Pro Armor protector – Good Design Award[39]

2017 Pro Armor protector – ADI Compasso d'Oro International Award[40]

2018 AWA M1 ski jacket – Red Dot Design Award[41]

2018 AWA M1 ski jacket – Good Design Award[42]

2018 Pro Armor protector – ISPO Award[43]

2018 HP1 RC ski jacket – ISPO Award[43]

Dainese is a member of Altagamma, a trade group of Italian automotive, fashion, recreation, travel, and design companies formed in 1992 to advertise and promote high end luxury goods.[44]

Racing sponsorship

Dainese has sponsored racing from its earliest years. One of the first was 15-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini, who began racing in Dainese leathers in 1975.[47] Multiple World Championship winner Valentino Rossi is currently among the best-known racers to wear the brand colors.[48][49] Dainese has sponsored greats like Italian riders Francesco Bagnaia, Stefano Manzi, Andrea Migno and Nicolo Bulega in the Moto2 and Moto3 Championships.[50]

Worldwide Stores and Experience Project

Dainese has a network of 70 single-brand protective equipment specialist stores for motorcycling and dynamic sports across Europe, North America, and Asia, and also sells direct to the public online through its official e-commerce website dainese.com. A new store concept designed by the Italian architect, Renato Montagner, was launched in 2017 and conceived to also provide a meeting place for dynamic sports enthusiasts to meet and participate in special events and activities.[51]

In 2019, Dainese launched the Dainese Experience project, a series of masterclasses, lessons, long journeys, and weekends where customers can learn how to improve their sports performance.[52]

External links