Introduction
Established in 1996 by Kevin Flank, Under Armour [UA] is an incorporated (Under Armour, 2017a) American company that has grown since then to become a globally-recognised manufacturer of sports performance apparel (Under Armour, 2017b). The company’s management consists of the CEO, Kevin Plank, and a board of nine directors (Under Armour, 2017c). Flank started the company as a small idea to create the best sports T-shirt that will “keep athletes cool, dry and light” (Under Armour, 2017d) in extremely hot weather conditions (Under Armour, 2017d). The UA mission is “to make all athletes better through passion, design and the relentless pursuit of innovation” (Under Armour, 2017e). Since 1996, the company has grown consistently
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It consists of seven components split into hard elements: Strategy, Structure, Systems; and soft elements; Staff, Skills, Style and Shared Values (Beech and Chadwick, 2004). Any change or opportunity can potentially influence any of these elements to a different degree. To maintain a company’s organisational stability, the influence of external factors on each element within the model needs to be monitored (Beech and Chadwick, 2004).
The Discussion of Three Elements
Under Armour’s international expansion may influence the alignment between the seven elements of the McKinsey 7s model. To demonstrate this, an analysis of three elements that are influenced the most is proposed in this essay.
The first is Staff. The company currently employs 15,200 people (Under Armour, 2017a). Kaplan (2005) stated that the Staff element of the framework consists of the following aspects: the people employed, people’s background, organisation’s methods of recruitment, selection process of new staff, training, socialising, managing and promoting the employees to higher positions (Wolsey, Abrams and Minten, 2012). Expanding the brand internationally will require building and opening new stores in the ICASA countries and hiring more staff in the offices and shops. It will also require employing more diverse workforce, including people who can speak local languages and understand the local culture in these countries. In addition,
Under Armour was founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank , a then 23-year old former special team’s captain of the University of Maryland football team. Plank initially began the business from his grandmother 's basement in Washington, D.C. As a fullback at the University of Maryland , Plank got tired of having to change out of the sweat-soaked T-shirts worn under his jersey; however, he noticed that his compression shorts worn during practice stayed dry. This inspired him to make a T-shirt using moisture-wicking synthetic fabric. After graduating from the University of Maryland , Plank developed his first prototype of the shirt, which he gave to his Maryland
Answer-1a There are 7 model which can build the path of best outcomes for oolong tea plantation because Mckinsey point out all the strategies like operational skills, assets which cannot be reproduced, expertise require for the development etc. will surely help any business unit.
a. Under Armour’s approach towards innovation is very unique, they think and plan out their projects thoroughly in order to create a one of a kind product that could be appealing to their consumers. The company has been extremely progressive throughout the years in order to stay ahead of the other competitive companies in their targeted industry. By constantly updating and coming up with different product lines, such as compression shirts and cleats, Under Armour is able to compete with other top athletic wear company’s in their market. If
Under Armour’s business strategy towards market segmentation is broken down into three different basis; Age, Gender, Uses. The first major market segmentation is by age, different age groups demand different products and Under Armour has produced certain merchandise to appeal to each generation. The second is Gender, both male and female respectively make up roughly 50% of the market equally.To appeal to females UA produces apparel in brighter colo, as a fashion forward athletic wear. While for males they they cater toward masculine vibe of tight fitting and resistant to wear and tear. Lastly, UA segments by the range of uses for their products.
The also place a big emphasizes on the Under Armour logo and pushed for brand recognition. Under Armour became the official uniform sponsor for many colleges and sport teams. Under Armour’s strategy was to design and make varies styles of sports apparel with their moisture-wicking fabrics to satisfy the needs of athletes of all levels and all sports. Their growth strategy was to continue to expand on the products they offered their consumers. They wanted to create more products that encompassed several sports and activities. By doing this they would be targeting additional consumers with their new performance products. Part of the growth strategy was to expand sales in foreign countries, become a global competitor in sports apparel and strengthening the appeal of their products and brand
Under Armour's mission was '' to make all athletes better through passion, design and relentless pursuit of innovation''.
In today’s athletic market world, being the number one is what many athletes strive for—that is what sets the standards for many sport clothing companies, to deliver products that allow athletes increase their performance while striving to take the number “one” spot. Under Armour works to deliver products that do that and more. Under Armour is currently one of the leading companies in the sports apparel industry whose mission is to “Make all athletes better through passion, design, and the relentless pursuit of innovation” (Under Armour, Inc). Baltimore, Maryland-based Under Armour, founded in 1996 by ex-football player Kevin Plank, who transformed the sports apparel industry by creating apparel that used synthetic materials as an alternative to natural fibers, such as cotton, or other materials, such as polyester. Plank’s mission was to develop a shirt using synthetic materials that handled perspiration most efficiently than was previously expected. Under Armour’s ability to target their products to a wide range of potential clients has enhanced their ability to continue to grow within the athletic marketplace. Under Armour, it is classified as a high-end fitness clothing supplier that appeals to a diverse income audience. This audience has been reached by the outstanding advertising strategies and that include men, women and children. Under Armour currently uses a mixture of pull marketing and different campaigns for its diverse product lines. The overall goal for Under
Under Armour, Inc. is ranked among the established sports Kit producers across the globe. It thus enjoys massive sales in several markets. Under Armour has its headquarters Baltimore, Maryland with Kevin Plank as the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Robin Thurston as the Chief Finance Office. The company is committed to developing its brand continuously through advertisement. It is presently listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market with a share price of $46.99. The company through its CEO believes that for the company to remain viable in the market, it has to ensure that that its products satisfy the taste of the consumers (Thompson, 2015). Clearly, this has bored fruits, basing the argument on the high consumer
Under Armour was founded in 1996 by a former collegiate football player named Kevin Plank. Plank first developed the idea for this brand through his own personal need and desire, as a collegiate athlete at the University of Maryland, for a product that didn’t exist in the market at the time. Since its inception, Under Armour has continued to grow immensely and expand upon its continued success. However, Under Armour still has a lot more room to grow and a lot of potential within their industry. Perhaps their biggest strategic issue right now is that they rely too heavily on North America for their business. They have done very well from themselves in North America so far. Now is the time for them to leave their comfort zone within North America
Under Armour is a growing company with many strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Many of these qualities will be discussed throughout the paper, but a SWOT analysis is the perfect way to become familiar with the company and it’s economic attributes.
SWOT Analysis: Under Armour History: • Founded in 1996 by former University of Maryland football player Kevin Plank. • Originally started with a simple plan to make a t-shirt that provided compression and wicked perspiration off your skin instead of absorbing it. • “Under Armour’s mission is to make all athletes better through passion, design and the relentless pursuit of innovation.” • In 1999, Plank and his team signed on to supply product for the film Any Given Sunday. In the film, the football team wears Under Armour apparel and accessories in key scenes.
Founded in 1996 by University of Maryland graduate Kevin Plank, Under Armour has become the leading supplier of the athletic performance apparel industry. Under Armour began with simple idea to create a t-shirt that would enhance athletic performance by regulating body temperature and removing perspiration
Since the evolution of the company, Under Armour rapidly expands their business while some internal problems still exist. For example, unprotected intellectual property right issue and supplier relationship management. Also, the current business strategy was focusing on marketing, international expansion, product differentiation, and other expenses while they have weak financial management. These will certainly pose future problems to the company.
The rapid success of Under Armour is not a mistake. The company dominates the performance apparel category. According to Founder Kevin Plank, “The mission of Under Armour is to make technically advanced products that are engineered with superior fabric construction, to provide proven innovation available to the masses-aimed at making athletes perform better” (UnderArmour.com). Under Armour uses many marketing initiatives including athlete endorsement, product placement, and popular culture which illustrates the success of Under Armour.
Under Armour is currently one of the leading companies in the sports apparel industry whose mission is to “Make all athletes better through passion, science, and the relentless pursuit of innovation”.1 When Under Armour first broke into the sports apparel industry it was a disruptive pioneer that initially made the two giants, Nike and Adidas, a little weary. Under Armour revolutionized the sports apparel industry by creating apparel that used synthetic materials as an alternative to natural fibers, such as cotton, or other materials, such as polyester. This all-important switch to these materials resulted in a 2“shirt that provided compression and wicked perspiration off your skin rather than absorb it. A