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Slovenia – Slovenian skis slide into the Canadian market

CETA Agreement takes Slovenian sports goods company to new heights in Canada.

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Slovenia

CETA Agreement takes Slovenian skis to new heights in Canada.

Key Info

  • Name: Elan
  • Nationality: Slovenian
  • Founded in: 1945
  • Headquarters: Begunje, Slovenia
  • Employees: 800
  • Annual Turnover: € 84 Mio
  • Active in Canada since: 1975

Company profile

Slovenian sports goods company Elan specialises in the manufacturing and selling of skis and yachts. Since becoming one of the world’s leading makers of skiing equipment, the company's constant innovations have transformed skiing. Elan is not only a big name is Slovenia, it has a reputation as a leading ski brand across the globe.

Through a network of subsidiaries and independent distribution companies, Elan is present in more than 45 countries. It is represented in Canada through its daughter company Elan Sports, Inc., based on Montreal Island. Founded in 1975, Elan Sports is the oldest winter sports goods distribution company in Canada, supplying products to more than 400 retail outlets countrywide.

How the Trade Agreement helped

Before CETA, Canada lifted customs duties on most imported sports goods with the aim of encouraging Canadians to become more involved in sports. This was the first step that enabled Elan to streamline its importing procedures and offer their products in Canada at competitive prices.

CETA further simplified procedures and removed import duties. For a distribution company of only 15 employees, these simplifications are important for helping Elan Sports streamline operations and focus more on its value-added activities. This was one of the key factors of the company’s revenue growth, contributing to double-digit annual gains since CETA came in force.

We sell our winter sports products across Canada and, thanks to CETA, we can deliver them faster and do business more easily.

Primoz Plestenjak,
President & CEO, Elan Sports, Inc.