FBT
FBT is a Thai privately held manufacturer and distributor founded in 1950, producing sports balls, boxing equipment, sportswear, footwear, and pétanque balls. It serves athletes, schools, fitness users, and sports federations across Thailand and 13 overseas markets via 7 retail stores and international agents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersBangkok, Thailand
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FBT does
FBT (Football Factory Thailand Sporting Goods Co., Ltd.) is a Thai privately held manufacturer and distributor of sports equipment and apparel, founded in 1950 by Kamol Chokpaiboonkit in Bangkok. The company operates a vertically integrated model with ISO 9001:2015 and SMETA 4 PILLAR certified production facilities, manufacturing hand-stitched leather footballs, heat-pressed balls, PU/PVC training balls, hand-crafted boxing gloves and equipment, sportswear, footwear, sports poles, and pétanque balls under its FBT and La Franc sub-brands. Manufacturing capacity reaches approximately 12,000 balls per day and over 400 boxing pieces per day, with 70% of ball production exported globally.
The company's revenue model combines OEM/custom manufacturing, direct retail through 7 FBT Sport Complex & Shops stores in Bangkok, third-party distribution via department stores and sports shops nationwide, online sales through fbtsports.com, and 13 overseas agents covering ASEAN, Europe, and Australia. Distribution partnerships with international brands including MIKASA, Tecnifibre, Livepro/Liveup, Safe Jaws, ACME, and Marathon broaden the assortment in its retail network. FBT serves four primary customer segments: professional and amateur athletes across all sports levels, educational institutions requiring durable PE equipment, fitness and recreational users, and sports event organizers. International federation certifications from FIFA, FIVB, FIBA, IHF, and the International Pétanque Federation support its positioning as a competition-grade supplier.
Beyond core manufacturing, FBT has expanded into services and venues, operating 2 fitness centers with personal training, yoga, and pilates, and large-scale community sports parks at Lat Krabang and Nong Chok. The company emphasizes a best-value pricing strategy, sustainable manufacturing through solar energy and bio-economy initiatives, and a 70+ year heritage as Thailand's first comprehensive sports equipment brand.
FBT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FBT
- Legal name
- บริษัท โรงงานฟุตบอลล์ไทย สปอร์ตติ้งกู๊ดส์ จำกัด
- Website
- https://fbtsports.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- FBT is a Thai privately held manufacturer and distributor founded in 1950, producing sports balls, boxing equipment, sportswear, footwear, and pétanque balls. It serves athletes, schools, fitness users, and sports federations across Thailand and 13 overseas markets via 7 retail stores and international agents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FBT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423910)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Team Sports Equipment & Uniforms Retail (CRAMABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Combat Sports & Boxing Fitness Equipment Retail (Bags, Gloves, Pads, Wraps) (CRAMADAI), Team Sports Equipment & Apparel Distribution (CRAOAJAA), Physical Education & Athletics Equipment (Gym, Sports Gear, Scoreboards) (EDAEAIAG)
Keywords
Where FBT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bangkok
- HQ country
- Thailand
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
FBT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Sports Equipment Manufacturing & Sales: FBT manufactures and distributes sports equipment and apparel covering 40+ sports types. Revenue generated from direct sales through company retail stores, department stores, sports shops, and international export markets.
- Custom/OEM Manufacturing: Provides custom sportswear and equipment manufacturing services under OEM arrangements, including branded products for international clients and private label production.
- Retail Operations: Operates 7 FBT Sport Complex & Shops retail locations and 2 fitness centers, generating revenue from direct retail sales of sports equipment, apparel, and fitness services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
FBT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FBT manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of sports equipment and apparel covering more than 40 sports types, including hand-stitched and heat-pressed balls (football, basketball, volleyball, handball, rugby, American football), boxing equipment (gloves, headgear, rings), sportswear, footwear, and La Franc pétanque balls. The company sells through 7 company-owned retail stores, department stores, sports shops, online channels, and 13 overseas export agents.
Product overview
FBT (โรงงานฟุตบอลล์ไทย สปอร์ตติ้งกู๊ดส์) is a Thai sports equipment and apparel company founded in 1950, operating both manufacturing and distribution businesses. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of sports products organized into two main categories: FBT Sportwear (เสื้อผ้า FBT) for sports apparel and FBT Equipment (อุปกรณ์ FBT) covering sports equipment. The manufacturing operations include specialized divisions for balls (producing football, basketball, volleyball, handball, rugby, and American football), boxing equipment, pétanque (under the La Franc sub-brand), garments, footwear, and sports poles. FBT also operates retail stores, fitness centers, and sports parks as part of its service offerings. The product range covers more than 40 types of sports with exports to ASEAN countries, Europe, and Australia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- La Franc (ลาฟรองซ์): Pétanque balls manufactured by FBT, certified for international competition use
- FBT Sport Complex
- FBT Sport Park
Products and services
- FBT Sportwear Thai sportswear brand offering sports apparel designed for movement, comfort, and breathability for athletes and recreational users at all levels. Manufactured by FBT's garment division producing sportswear for amateur to professional athletes.
- FBT Equipment Comprehensive sports equipment line covering more than 28 types of sports including team sports, racket sports, combat sports, water sports, track and field, and fitness equipment for athletes and recreational users.
- FBT Balls Ball manufacturing division producing football, basketball, volleyball, handball, rugby, American football, and pickleball balls in rubber, artificial leather, and genuine leather. Certified by FIFA, FIVB, FIBA, and IHF for international competition. Production capacity of 12,000 balls per day with 70% exported globally.
- FBT Boxing Equipment Boxing equipment division producing boxing gloves (นวม), training headgear, focus pads (เป้าล่อ), heavy bags (กระสอบทราย), boxing rings, and boxing shoes with hand-crafted manufacturing. Capacity exceeds 400 pieces per day. Used in national-level and international competitions including the 2025 Youth Muay Thai World Championship.
- La Franc (ลาฟร็องซ์) Pétanque Balls Pétanque balls manufactured from medium carbon steel, hardened and hard-chrome plated for durability and rust resistance. Certified by the International Pétanque Federation for international competition use, produced for both competition and amateur levels.
- FBT Fitness Centers Two fitness facilities at FBT Sport Complex and Lat Krabang offering affordable gym services with professional trainers, personal training, yoga, pilates, aerobic studios, and children's play areas.
- FBT Sport Parks Large comprehensive sports fields in suburban areas including FBT Sport Park in Lat Krabang district and Suan Kamol in Nong Chok district, supporting community sports development.
- FBT Garment Division (OEM Manufacturing) Sportswear manufacturing base under the FBT brand producing custom sportswear and OEM-manufactured apparel for international clients and private label production.
- FBT Shoe Division Sports shoe manufacturing producing cleated shoes, boxing shoes, and canvas fashion shoes.
- FBT Table Tennis, Poles & Basket Rims Division Manufacturing sports poles for badminton, volleyball, basketball and other sports, along with ping pong tables and basket rims.
Companies that use FBT
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FBT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
FBT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MIKASAcoreJapanese world-renowned volleyball ball brand distributed by FBT in Thailand. Mikasa is known for volleyball excellence and has been trusted in international competitions for many years.
- Livepro / LiveupcoreComprehensive fitness equipment brand with good quality and accessible prices, suitable for all exercise needs both in gyms and at home.
- Safe JawsminorHigh-quality sports mouth guard brand that effectively protects teeth and jaw for all sports requiring safety equipment.
- TecnifibrecoreFrench sports equipment brand specializing in tennis rackets and strings, professional quality trusted by athletes worldwide.
- ACMEminorWorld-class whistle brand with clear loud sound meeting standards, reliable for all types of competition and training, used by referees and coaches.
- MarathonminorThai takraw ball brand of excellent quality, durable and standard-compliant, suitable for training and competition at all levels.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FBT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Molten Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of competition-grade balls (basketball, volleyball, handball, soccer) supplying leagues worldwide. Directly comparable to FBT's ball division in product mix, federation certifications, and global sports-equipment OEM positioning.
- Mikasa Corporation: Japanese volleyball and team-sport ball manufacturer, official FIVB partner and the dominant volleyball ball brand globally. Comparable in federation certifications, manufacturing focus, and ball category breadth, and is also an FBT distribution partner in Thailand.
- Select Sport: Danish sports ball and team equipment manufacturer with FIFA and UEFA-certified footballs and strong European distribution. Closely comparable to FBT's certified ball manufacturing, multi-sport product range, and export-oriented business model.
- Grand Sport Group: Thai sportswear and team-uniform manufacturer serving Asian institutional and team-sport customers. Closest direct domestic peer to FBT in geography, OEM/private-label sportswear manufacturing, and team-sport equipment supply.
Broad incumbents
- Wilson Sporting Goods: US-headquartered global sports equipment leader across balls, rackets, and team gear with deep athlete endorsements. Overlaps with FBT in team-sport balls and equipment but operates at much larger scale and brand recognition globally.
- Spalding: US ball and sports equipment manufacturer with strong basketball heritage and global retail distribution. Comparable manufacturing-led ball business model but at significantly larger scale and brand awareness.
- Decathlon: French global sports retailer and private-label manufacturer with vertically integrated design-to-store model. Directly comparable to FBT in multi-sport equipment breadth and own-brand manufacturing, but operates at vastly larger scale across multiple continents.
- Adidas: Global sportswear and equipment giant with deep football, boxing, and team-sport category presence. Competitor for share of Thai sportswear consumer spend and global institutional/team-sport contracts that FBT also targets.
Emerging players
- Kempa (Kempa Sport): German handball and team-handball equipment specialist, official partner of multiple European handball federations. Comparable in team-sport equipment focus and federation-aligned marketing, but with stronger European roots than FBT.
Regional players
- FBT Sport Complex peers: Fitness First Thailand / Virgin Active Thailand: International fitness-center chains operating in Thailand, comparable to FBT's 2 owned fitness centers as service-line competitors. Not directly comparable on equipment manufacturing but relevant for FBT's retail-and-fitness vertical.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FBT social profiles
Digital presenceFBT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FBT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
FBT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FBT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FBT
What does FBT do?
FBT manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of sports equipment and apparel covering more than 40 sports types, including hand-stitched and heat-pressed balls (football, basketball, volleyball, handball, rugby, American football), boxing equipment (gloves, headgear, rings), sportswear, footwear, and La Franc pétanque balls. The company sells through 7 company-owned retail stores, department stores, sports shops, online channels, and 13 overseas export agents.
Is FBT a public or private company?
FBT is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was FBT founded?
FBT was founded in 1950. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is FBT based?
FBT is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, in the Asia region.
How does FBT make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sports Equipment Manufacturing & Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom/OEM Manufacturing and retail Operations.
Who are FBT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Molten Corporation, Mikasa Corporation, Select Sport and Grand Sport Group. Broad incumbents are Wilson Sporting Goods, Spalding, Decathlon and Adidas. Kempa (Kempa Sport) is listed as an emerging player. FBT Sport Complex peers: Fitness First Thailand / Virgin Active Thailand is listed as a regional player.
Does FBT have an API?
No public API is recorded for FBT.
What industry is FBT in?
FBT's product category is Sports Equipment Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMABAE, Team Sports Equipment & Uniforms Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMADAI, Combat Sports & Boxing Fitness Equipment Retail (Bags, Gloves, Pads, Wraps). Its NAICS code is 33992 and its SIC code is 3949.