FBT (company)

Football Thai Factory Sporting Goods Co, Ltd.
Company type	Limited
Industry	Sportswear; apparel industry
Founded	September 30, 1952; 72 years ago
Founder	Kamol Chokephaibulkit
Headquarters	Bangkok, FBT Sport Complex Co.Ltd. FBT Sport Complex Hua Mark and Outlet. 537 Ramkhamhaeng Road, Hua Mark sub-district, Bangkapi district, 13.8023° N , 100.7217° E, Thailand
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Kamol Chokephaibulkit; (President); Phaveena Chokephaibulkit; (Managing Director)
Products	Athletic shoes; Apparel; Sports equipment
Services	02-718-4700-44
Number of employees	(November 2009) 2,800
Website	fbtsports.com

Football Thai Factory Sporting Goods Co, Ltd., also known as FBT, is a Thai sports equipment company that has the biggest sports store in Asia which is the FBT sport complex and also has over 300 stores nationwide. FBT exports to over 40 countries worldwide. In 2009 it had over 2,800 employees and an annual turnover of over US$50 million.

The company has sponsored various sporting events in Thailand aiming to make people healthy and to improve the society through sports.

History^[1]

In 1947, Kamol Chokephaibulkit emigrated from China to Thailand. Initially working as a leather repairman, Chokephaibulkit’s interest in sports equipment began in 1950 when he was asked to repair an imported football. After studying its design, he began making footballs by hand, producing two to three balls per day from his home. He later sold these footballs through well-known sporting goods stores of the era, such as Nightingale Olympic and Malinee Department Store.

In 1952, this endeavor led to the establishment of the Football Thai Factory, which expanded and became Football Thai Factory Sporting Goods Co., Ltd. (FBT) in 1954. The company’s first factory was located in Lad Krabang, Bangkok. By 1961, FBT had opened its first retail store in Siam Square, then known as Chamchuri Square. In 1963, Kamol Chokephaibulkit had the opportunity to present FBT-made footballs and rugby balls to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, during the Thai Products Exhibition, marking a significant milestone for the company.

FBT continued to grow and gained recognition at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, where it served as an official sponsor. The company’s profile grew among Thai and international athletes, leading to the opening of FBT’s flagship retail store near Suphachalasai Stadium (National Stadium). In 1978, FBT became the first Asian company to receive certification from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for its footballs, which were subsequently used in the 8th Asian Games in Bangkok.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, FBT received multiple awards, including the Best Sporting Goods Manufacturer Award (1984) and the Prime Minister’s Export Award (1988). In 1992, FBT became the first Thai sports manufacturer to sponsor the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, supporting Thai teams in the SEA Games, Asian Games, and Olympic Games. This partnership with Thai sports organizations has continued for decades, including a long-standing sponsorship with The Football Association of Thailand.

The 1990s saw further expansion, including the opening of a second factory in 1993, which became one of Thailand’s largest sports equipment facilities, and the establishment of the FBT Sport Complex in 1995. By 1998, FBT was the main sponsor of the 12th Asian Games in Bangkok and gained rights to manufacture products for the 1998 World Cup in France.

FBT celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002 and has since continued to grow. In the 2000s, the company expanded its sponsorships and awards, receiving the Superbrands prize in 2005 and 2007. It also became the primary sponsor of the International Federation of Petanque. In 2008, FBT opened a new manufacturing building for sports clothing, followed by a fitness center in 2009 within the FBT Sport Complex. The company also actively supports local communities, providing a sports field in the Lad Krabang and Nong Chok districts.

In recent years, FBT has maintained a role as an official sponsor for multiple international and regional sports events, including the Deaf Futsal World Cup in 2015, the Asian Beach Games in 2016, and the SEA Games in 2017. Today, FBT remains a prominent name in Thailand’s sports industry, known for its contributions to sports development both locally and in the broader Southeast Asian region.

Domestic Product^[2]

FBT product

Team sport

Football / Futsal
Vollayball
Basketball
Handball
Softball
Baseball
Hackey
Rugby
Takraw

Racket sport

Batminton
Tennin
Table tennis
Pickleball
Squash

Fighting sport

Boxing
Taekwondo
Karate
Judo

Speed and Strength

Swimming
Running
Gymnastic
Fitness
Cycling
Petanque

Other

Other sport equipment such as water bottle, sport bag or stopwatch

Export product

F.B.T. company at first sold various kinds of sport products that are now exported worldwide for over 40 countries and also have 16 partners including British, Australia, Canada, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Lao, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Cambodia.^[3] The company is a high-capacity manufacturer of sports equipment, producing over 10,000 sportswear items, 12,000 balls, 4,000 rackets, and 3,000 boxing products daily. Their products include customized sportswear, internationally certified balls (FIFA, FIBA, FIVB, IHF), tennis, badminton, and squash rackets, as well as boxing gear like gloves, headgear, and boxing rings used in major international events. All products can be customized with client branding to meet specific needs.

Financial

Profit^[4]


Year	Profit (THB)	Growth from the previous year (percentage)
2014	-38,654,274
2015	-72,670,906	- 88
2016	-707,756,908	- 873.9
2017	47,091,323	+ 106.7
2018	1,333,532,866	+ 2731.8
2019	58,403,479	- 95.6
2020	3,116,575	- 94.7
2021	-2,651,468	- 185.1
2022	-5,765,016	- 117.4
2023	-2,848,876	+ 50.6

Net property^[4]


Year	Net Property (THB)	Growth from the previous year (percentage)
2014	1,708,022,701
2015	1,665,961,163	- 2.5
2016	1,459,618,062	- 12.4
2017	1,381,715,680	- 5.3
2018	1,176,612,213	- 14.8
2019	1,085,840,248	- 7.7
2020	853,469,367	- 21.4
2021	898,298,314	+ 5.3
2022	934,136,555	+ 4
2023	977,481,110	+ 4.6

Market

Key Aspects of FBT's Market Presence

Global Reach

FBT serves over 40 countries, making it a notable player in the international sports market.

Regional Markets

The company has a strong presence in various regions, particularly in Asia and Oceania. Some of the specific countries served include

Bhutan
Myanmar
Laos
Sri Lanka
Cambodia
Tonga

These markets indicate FBT’s focus on emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

Notable Partnerships

FBT has partnered with various local and regional sports teams, enhancing its visibility and reputation in the sports community. Specific details about partnerships can vary, so checking their official communications might provide more insights.

FBT's diverse market presence reflects its commitment to providing quality sports products to various demographics, aligning with the growing demand as a sports equipment in these regions

Market Position and Competitors

FBT operates mainly in the Southeast Asian sportswear market. It competes with other Thai brands, such as Grand Sport and Super Sports, as well as international sportswear companies like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour.^[5]^[6] Grand Sport produces and markets similar sportswear and equipment in the region, while Super Sports is a retailer offering a broad selection of both domestic and global brands across Thailand.

FBT’s market presence is bolstered by its local manufacturing, which allows it to produce competitively priced products. Specific financial data for FBT is limited, but the company derives revenue largely from regional sales within Thailand and nearby countries