Description about Nike

Nike In 1958 the beginning of NIKE Inc. came about when Coach Bill Bowermen and business student Phil Knight, both from the University of Oregon, felt the need for a better athletic shoe. Through Bowermens athletic experience and Knights business background they designed and tried to sell their model of the perfect running shoe.

None of the major companies trusted the engineering or demand for the new sneaker and therefore would not manufacture the item. In 1964 Bowerman and Knight used their own money to start Blue Ribbon Sports company.They convinced Onitsoda Tiger to manufacture their sneakers, which they sold from their cars at track meets. Four years later Blue Ribbon Sports was changed to, the now famous, NIKE, which was named for the Greek Goddess of victory.

In that same year, the NIKE "swoosh" logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson, for which she was then paid only $35. The time came when the owners decided that NIKE could survive on its own. NIKE separated itself from Onitsoka Tiger in 1972. It was in this year that NIKE convinced Olympic marathon runners to wear NIKE sneakers for their Olympic event.

Later, NIKE was able to brag that their sneakers won four of the top seven places in this event.The following year, NIKE designed the waffle sole sneaker which was worn by elite runners around the world. The 1980s led to a new era of NIKE sneakers. The popularity of running was declining rapidly and, therefore, NIKE expanded into a new domain. With endorsements by Michael Jordan and other professional athletes, new lines of sneakers, such as Air Jordans and the Cross Trainer, became available in the market.

One of the most influential advertising schemes for NIKE Inc.was the "Just Do It" campaign which took effect in 1988. In the turn of the next decade, NIKE began to expand to more than just sneakers. In 1992, the first two NIKE concept shops were created, including Niketown. In the mid 90s, NIKE gained permission to print their logos on NFL uniforms, in addition to soccer and golf becoming another money market.

NIKE is now international with seven Niketowns in the US, plus one in the UK, Germany, and Japan. Products/Services NIKE Inc.produces a wide variety of sporting footwear and apparel. The company places a large emphasis on the quality and innovative design of their products.

As of 1993, the top-selling products were shoes manufactured for Basketball, Fitness, running, and children. However, the company also markets products for tennis, golf, soccer, baseball, football, cycling, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, aquatic activities and outdoor athletic and recreational use. In addition Company often markets footwear, apparel and accessories in "collections" of similar design or for specific purpose.Athletic shoes are not NIKEs sale investment. NIKE Inc.

also sells several products under different names. They sell a line of casual footwear and apparel under the names of "i.e." and Cole Haan. In 1993, the company acquired Sports Specialties, Inc.which markets head wear.

Nike also sells plastic products to other manufactures through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tetra Plastics, Inc. Message to Stock Holders NIKE believes that each sport requires different athletic equipment, especially shoes. Although NIKE expects to come out on top of the market, the Company expects a few hard tasks necessary to overcome in the upcoming year. The economic atmosphere in Western Europe is the worst in NIKEs 13 years. They are establishing their first real "futures" program like the one currently in the US.It is designed to improve the long term profitability of the company and of cooperating retailers.

The Company is very excited about reaching their $1 billion point abroad. Domestically, total revenues grew over $4 billion over the past six years. The Company has two main goals for next year. First, they want to get the whole international division positioned so it can resume faster growth once the underlying economies improve.

Second, they need to keep growth, albeit single-digit growth, increasing for the NIKE brand in the US.They believe that there is a lot of upside potential in both the US and abroad and the management understands that it is their responsibility to reach this potential. They are committed to making improvements in both their products and policies, and maximizing growth. Financial Condition For the sixth consecutive year, NIKE Inc.

set new records in revenues and net income in fiscal 1993. "Consolidated revenues rose $526 million to $3.9 billion, an increase of 15% over the industry record $3.4 billion also set by NIKE in 1992 and an increase of 31% over the 1991 record." During the six year period, revenues have increased 348%. International revenues now represent 36% of consolidated revenues, growing 24% over 1992 and 63% over 1991.

The revenues have increased 495% during this six year period. Consolidated net income increased 11% over 1992 and 27% over 1991 in this period. The Company surpassed the $2 billion level in total assets for the first time during the fiscal year 1993. The $1 billion mark was achieved in 1990 and during the six year period referred to above, total assets have increased 917%. Stock as an Investment In my opinion, NIKE would be a good investment. NIKE Inc.

, is internationally known and is a stable company always on the up rise.As with all companies, objectives cannot be obtained smoothly. There will be some ups and downs, but the upside growth potential in the common stock is very probable.