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Pirma

Pirma is a sports apparel and equipment company specializing in soccer gear, founded in 1987 by Rafael León in San Francisco del Rincón, . Originally starting with the production of shoe soles and casual footwear, the company pivoted to sports manufacturing in , launching the Pirma brand to offer affordable, high-quality uniforms, jerseys, cleats, and accessories for men, women, and youth. Headquartered in , Pirma has grown into a prominent 100% -owned enterprise, operating factories and distribution networks across and expanding into markets in the . The brand is renowned for sponsoring major teams, including since 2023 and , enabling it to compete with global giants like and through innovative designs and national pride-driven marketing. Pirma's product lines emphasize performance fabrics, team-specific customizations, and accessibility, with annual revenues supporting its role as a key player in Latin American sports merchandising.

Overview

Company profile

Pirma is a privately held Mexican company specializing in the sports equipment industry, founded in 1987 by Rafael León Meléndez in San Francisco del Rincón, , with the Pirma brand launched in 1990. The company is headquartered in Purísima del Rincón, , , and primarily serves markets across the through its manufacturing and distribution operations. The company employs approximately 2,500 people and operates around 200 retail stores in , focusing on the and of athletic apparel and . Pirma's core business emphasizes affordable, high-quality athletic products tailored to the Mexican consumer, holding an 8% share of the country's market as of 2013. Pirma maintains an official website at pirma.com.mx, where it showcases its product offerings and supports direct sales to customers in its primary market. Sponsorships in professional sports serve as a key element of its marketing strategy to enhance brand visibility.

Products and services

Pirma offers a diverse portfolio of sportswear and equipment primarily focused on soccer and athletic activities, including athletic shoes, apparel, goalkeeper gloves, and soccer balls. These products are designed for men, women, and youth, emphasizing affordability and accessibility for everyday use and competitive play. The company's athletic shoes include versatile sneakers such as the 5529 model, which features a classic style with lightweight soles for comfort and durability in daily activities. Other popular options are the 90's 6035 sneakers, equipped with vulcanized rubber soles for enhanced traction on urban surfaces. For performance-oriented , Pirma provides cleats like the Brasil Legend Pro 3062, inspired by iconic designs with sober color schemes, minimalist details, and a long, foldable tongue for secure fit during soccer matches. In apparel, Pirma specializes in casual and athletic wear such as t-shirts, shorts, jackets, hoodies, and tracksuits, available in affordable lines tailored for men, women, and . These items incorporate designs, including tonal on jerseys for a sleek aesthetic. Sport-specific gear extends to goalkeeper gloves for protection and grip, as well as soccer balls engineered for durability and consistent performance. Footwear is manufactured in , while some apparel and accessories are produced in countries including , , and , prioritizing quality materials that balance cost and longevity. Beyond retail products, Pirma provides services for custom team kits and merchandise, allowing sponsored entities and amateur teams to personalize uniforms with logos, colors, and branding to meet specific needs. This customization supports team identity while maintaining the brand's focus on functional, budget-friendly sportswear.

History

Founding and early development

The origins of Pirma can be traced to 1987, when entrepreneur Rafael León initiated production of shoe soles under the "Caribbean" brand in San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato, Mexico. This precursor activity laid the groundwork for the company's entry into footwear manufacturing, starting as a small workshop that expanded rapidly within its first year to employ six workers and produce around 60 pairs of basic shoes daily using traditional methods. In 1990, León formally entered the athletic footwear market by establishing the company as "Pirma-Brasil," a name derived from combining "Pirma" with "Brasil" to address export challenges to the amid growing interest in sports apparel inspired by events like the . Operations were centered in —a hub for Mexico's —where the focus remained on developing affordable, basic athletic shoes and apparel tailored to everyday use. From its , Pirma targeted local consumers in a domestic market that was expanding but dominated by international players. The young brand encountered significant initial challenges, including financial strains from machinery investments and intense competition from global giants like and , which held strong market positions through aggressive marketing and established supply chains. Despite these hurdles, León's leadership emphasized innovation and family involvement, with siblings joining to stabilize operations during economic uncertainties like Mexico's 1994 crisis.

Expansion and rebranding

In 1999, Pirma underwent a significant by dropping the "Brasil" suffix from its original name, Pirma-Brasil, to comply with Mexican trademark regulations enforced by the , which prohibit the registration of brands incorporating country names. This change allowed the company to solidify its positioning as a distinctly in the competitive sporting goods . Following the rebranding, Pirma experienced steady growth, expanding its retail footprint to approximately 200 stores across to enhance accessibility for domestic consumers. By 2013, the company had captured an 8% share of the Mexican sportswear market, establishing itself as the sixth-largest player in the sector according to data from . This milestone reflected Pirma's successful scaling of production and distribution, leveraging its manufacturing base in to meet rising demand for affordable athletic apparel and footwear. In recent years, Pirma has pursued high-profile partnerships to bolster its visibility and reinforce its commitment to the Mexican market. In 2018, the company secured a deal to outfit Deportes staff with uniforms for the coverage in , marking a notable with one of Mexico's leading media conglomerates. More recently, in October 2025, Pirma renewed its kit sponsorship agreement with club , extending the partnership beyond its initial term and underscoring the brand's ongoing emphasis on domestic football ties. Amid intensifying competition from international giants like and , Pirma has strategically emphasized affordability, offering quality at accessible price points to attract middle-class consumers seeking value-driven alternatives. This approach has enabled the company to maintain relevance in a price-sensitive , prioritizing broad over positioning.

Operations

Manufacturing facilities

Pirma's primary manufacturing facilities are situated in León and San Francisco del Rincón, both within the state of , . These plants serve as the core of the company's production infrastructure, supporting its distribution to approximately 200 stores nationwide. The facilities focus on in-house of shoes, apparel, and sporting , employing over 3,000 workers. This setup enables comprehensive control over the production of durable items designed for everyday athletic use.

Market presence and exports

Pirma maintains a robust domestic presence in , operating approximately 200 retail stores nationwide that serve as key distribution points for its and equipment. These outlets, supplied from manufacturing facilities in , cater to a wide range of consumers seeking affordable athletic apparel and . Complementing its physical network, Pirma has expanded its online sales channels through the official website pirma.com.mx, which facilitates purchases with nationwide delivery. The platform frequently features targeted promotions, such as 20-50% discounts during major sales events like Buen Fin, enhancing accessibility and driving seasonal demand. Internationally, Pirma exports its products to select markets in the , establishing a foothold beyond through dedicated online and retail channels. The brand is available in via specialized product lines and distributors, in through PIRMA Canada operations focused on fitness and soccer gear, in via local outlets and engagement, and in the through pirma.us, which offers urban footwear and apparel to North American customers. This export activity underscores Pirma's strategy of leveraging its Mexican heritage to penetrate regional markets as a cost-effective option for sports enthusiasts. Post-2020, Pirma has aligned with broader e-commerce trends in Mexico, where online retail has surged amid increased digital adoption, contributing to enhanced visibility and sales through its website and international platforms. While specific expansion metrics for stores remain limited, the brand's multi-channel approach has supported steady growth in both domestic and export volumes.

Sponsorships

Football

Pirma has established itself as a key kit supplier in Mexican football, particularly within Liga MX, by providing official uniforms for several prominent clubs. The company serves as the official kit manufacturer for Cruz Azul, Necaxa, Puebla, and Mazatlán FC, covering home, away, and third kits across these teams. Historically, Pirma supplied kits for Club León from 2009 to 2021 and for Morelia (now Atlético Morelia) from 2015 to 2020, contributing to its growing presence in the league during those periods. A notable example of Pirma's design work is seen in 's 2024-25 third kit, which features a red trunk and blue sleeves with a large tonal graphic emphasizing the club's identity. This partnership with was renewed in October 2025, extending Pirma's role as kit supplier ahead of the club's participation in the , where a special uniform blending modern aesthetics and sky-blue colors will debut on December 10, 2025. These sponsorships have boosted Pirma's visibility in , competing alongside global giants and while emphasizing local manufacturing and design innovation.

Boxing

Pirma serves as the official sponsor of Mexican boxer Miguel "Mickey" Román, a relationship established since at least 2015, through which the company supplies essential gear including apparel, gloves, and other equipment for his professional bouts. This partnership has supported Román's career, notably providing the outfit worn during key fights, as highlighted in promotional contests organized by Pirma in 2017. In a prominent example, Pirma backed Román during his victory over Takuya on March 8, 2024, in , , where he extended his winning streak, with the company publicly congratulating him as an official ambassador. The sponsorship extends to promotional efforts, such as pre-fight acknowledgments from Román expressing gratitude for Pirma's ongoing support ahead of bouts in 2025, including preparations for his October 18 matchup against . Pirma's engagement in boxing remains more limited than its extensive football sponsorships but demonstrates a growing commitment to promoting Mexican combat sports talent. This aligns with Mexico's longstanding boxing heritage, which has produced numerous world champions and cultural icons since the early 20th century.

Other partnerships

In 2018, Pirma entered into a significant media collaboration with Grupo Televisa, Mexico's largest multimedia company, to supply uniforms and apparel for the 200 staff members of Televisa Deportes covering the FIFA World Cup in Russia. This 13-month agreement, with an option for extension into 2019, equipped cameramen, photographers, engineers, and on-air presenters with Pirma-branded clothing, providing extensive on-screen visibility to millions of viewers during the global event. Emilio González, director of Televisa Deportes, highlighted the partnership's emphasis on national identity, stating, "Estamos muy orgullosos de portar una marca 100% mexicana." The deal exemplified Pirma's strategy to extend its brand beyond traditional sports sponsorships by leveraging high-profile media exposure, fostering themes of Mexican pride and accessible sportswear. Rogelio León, Pirma's director, projected that the collaboration could drive a 10-20% sales increase, while opening avenues for international market exploration outside and . By aligning with Televisa's broadcasts, Pirma enhanced its marketing reach to a broad audience, reinforcing its positioning as an affordable, homegrown alternative in the sportswear sector.

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