ACI International

What ACI International does

ACI International is a Los Angeles-based footwear manufacturer, distributor, and brand licensor that designs, develops, and markets athletic, casual, and fashion footwear for men, women, and children across all channels of retail distribution. Founded in 1990 as an importer of footwear from Asia, the company operates a multi-brand portfolio comprising one wholly-owned brand (LA Gear, acquired in 1999) and five licensed brands (Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon/Paramount, Perry Ellis, and Maui and Sons). The company also provides private label sourcing services for retail partners, with product developed specifically for each partner's end consumer.

ACI's operating model is built on long-standing global manufacturing relationships, with key development offices and an extensive network of factories in China, Europe, and South America. The company maintains design resources across five locations: Los Angeles, New York, Charlotte (North Carolina), Toronto (Canada), and Montebelluna (Italy). Its sustainability program includes a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 and participation in the UCLA Institute of the Environment's Corporate Partners Program, with increasing use of environmentally friendly materials such as water-based glues, vegetable dyes, hemp, and organic canvas.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: footwear sales under licensed entertainment and apparel brands, private label sourcing arrangements with retail partners, and direct sales of the owned LA Gear brand. The company sells globally, with its licensed Maui and Sons brand distributed in over 100 countries. ACI is privately held, employs 51-100 people, and operates its corporate headquarters at 844 Moraga Drive in Los Angeles. The 2022 re-launch of the LA Gear brand, following its acquisition in 1999, represents the most significant recent strategic initiative, with the company investing in product design and development to recapture the brand's historical market position.

Name

ACI International

Legal name

ACI International

Website

https://acifootwear.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ACI International is a Los Angeles-based footwear company that designs, manufactures, and distributes men's, women's, and children's footwear through six licensed brands (Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Perry Ellis, Maui and Sons), one owned brand (LA Gear), and private label sourcing for global retail partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Licensed Brand Footwear Sales: ACI designs and markets footwear under licensed entertainment brands including Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Perry Ellis, Maui and Sons, and LA Gear, generating revenue through footwear sales across all retail channels.
2. Private Label Sourcing: ACI develops and sources private label footwear for retail partners, providing product specifically designed with the retailer's end consumer in mind.
3. Owned Brand Sales (LA Gear): ACI acquired the LA Gear brand and generates revenue from the design, development, and sale of LA Gear footwear products. LA Gear sales reached over $800 million during the brand's peak era in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

ACI International designs, develops, manufactures, and markets footwear for men, women, and children across all channels of retail distribution. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio spanning licensed entertainment and lifestyle brands (Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Perry Ellis, Maui and Sons) and its owned brand (LA Gear), complemented by private label footwear sourcing for retail partners using a global factory network in China, Europe, and South America.

Product overview

ACI International is a footwear company operating a multi-brand portfolio strategy consisting of six licensed footwear brands (Disney, Nickelodeon/Paramount, Perry Ellis, Warner Bros, Maui and Sons) and one owned brand (LA Gear), complemented by private label sourcing services. The company designs, develops and markets athletic and casual/fashion footwear for men, women, and children across all channels of retail distribution. ACI maintains design resources in Los Angeles, New York, Charlotte, Toronto, and Montebelluna, Italy, while sourcing products through established relationships with factories in China, Europe, and South America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LA Gear: Athletic and casual footwear brand founded in 1983, re-imagined for 2022 and beyond. ACI acquired LA Gear during the late 1990s/early 2000s transition period.
• Disney
• Maui and Sons
• Paramount (Nickelodeon)
• Perry Ellis
• Warner Bros

Products and services

• LA Gear Athletic and casual footwear brand owned by ACI International, originally founded in 1983, re-imagined for 2022 and beyond. Distributed at better retailers across the country, the brand historically reached over $800 million in sales during the 1980s-early 1990s era.
• Disney Licensed Footwear

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UCLA Institute of the EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACI is a founding member of the UCLA Institute of the Environment's Corporate Partners Program. This partnership keeps ACI on the forefront of industry best practices and emerging technologies, and allows participation in research projects aimed at improving environmental impact including product life cycle assessments and factory emissions testing.
• Disney Consumer Products (DCP)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerACI holds a licensing agreement with Disney Consumer Products to design and market Disney-branded footwear. Disney extends its brand to merchandise including footwear, with products inspired by the company's rich legacy of quality creative content and exceptional storytelling since 1923.
• Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerACI licenses Warner Bros. Consumer Products brands for footwear. WBCP extends the Studio's portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises including Wizarding World, DC, Looney Tunes, and Hanna-Barbera into footwear products worldwide.
• Nickelodeon (Paramount)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerACI licenses Nickelodeon brands including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol for footwear products. Nickelodeon is the number-one entertainment brand for kids, seen in more than 100 million households and the #1 rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years.
• Perry ElliscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerACI licenses Perry Ellis for footwear, with products designed to complement Perry Ellis apparel collections and available at better retailers across the country. Perry Ellis is known for a relaxed, unpretentious yet sophisticated American sportswear style.
• Maui and SonscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerACI licenses Maui and Sons for footwear. The brand was founded in 1980 by three surfers from Southern California and has become one of the best-known brands of active sports apparel, footwear, and equipment worldwide, sold in over 100 countries.
• LA GearcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerACI acquired the LA Gear brand, recognizing its strong brand equity and potential. LA Gear dominated the shoe market during the 1980s and early 1990s, reaching over $800 million in sales in just eight years (third biggest athletic brand behind Reebok and Nike). ACI has invested heavily in product design and development, refocusing core brand values.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Skechers: Skechers is a global footwear brand and licensor that designs, develops, and markets men's, women's, and children's footwear through owned brands and third-party licenses, with significant overseas sourcing. Highly comparable to ACI's multi-brand, multi-channel licensed-and-owned model.
• Steve Madden: Steve Madden designs, sources, and markets fashion and casual footwear across multiple owned brands and licenses globally. Comparable to ACI's blend of licensed entertainment brands (Disney, Nickelodeon) and owned brand portfolio (LA Gear).
• Deckers Outdoor: Deckers owns and operates a portfolio of footwear brands (UGG, HOKA, Teva, Sanuk) sold through wholesale and retail channels globally. Comparable to ACI's multi-brand owned-and-licensed footwear portfolio strategy.
• Wolverine World Wide: Wolverine World Wide operates a portfolio of footwear brands (Merrell, Saucony, Sperry, Hush Puppies) distributed globally through retail partners. Comparable to ACI's multi-brand owned footwear portfolio sold across all retail channels.
• Crocs: Crocs designs, develops, and markets a single globally recognized footwear brand through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels with significant overseas manufacturing. Comparable to ACI's owned-brand (LA Gear) global distribution model.
• BBC International: BBC International is a footwear licensing specialist that produces character and entertainment-licensed footwear for Disney, Marvel, Nickelodeon, and other major IP holders. Direct comparable to ACI's licensing business model with the same licensor ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Caleres: Caleres owns a portfolio of footwear brands (Sam Edelman, Famous Footwear retail) and operates a global sourcing and wholesale distribution business. Comparable as a broader multi-brand footwear incumbent with similar wholesale channel exposure.
• Genesco: Genesco operates footwear retail chains (Journeys, Schuh) and wholesale footwear brands (Johnston & Murphy). Comparable as a broader incumbent in footwear retail and brand management across multiple consumer segments.

Emerging players

• Sequential Brands Group: Sequential Brands (formerly active) managed a portfolio of consumer lifestyle and footwear brands through licensing arrangements. Comparable adjacent licensing-driven brand portfolio model, although currently in restructuring.
• Iconix Brand Group: Iconix historically managed a portfolio of consumer brands (Candie's, Joe Boxer, London Fog) via licensing arrangements across categories including footwear. Comparable adjacent licensing-driven multi-brand portfolio operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aci-intl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACI International