We buy major share in world’s biggest hammock brand multi-million deal
North Yorkshire based online retail group YOLO has bought a major share in a key supplier and the world’s largest hammock brand, Amazonas GmbH, in a multi-million pound deal.
YOLO, which owns and operates several retail brands and sells to over 48 countries, acquired a small hammock business called Simply Hammocks in 2016 which they have transformed into Europe’s largest hammock retailer. Priding themselves on selling quality hammocks with expert advice, they have always had a good trade relationship with Amazonas, which was a best selling brand on their website, thanks to their superior quality and strong eco-credentials. In fact, they are the only hammock brand to independently test each product for quality and safety under the TUV and GS quality marks.
The deal will help Simply Hammocks secure their UK supply post-Brexit and help unlock further opportunities globally, with the recent launch of the Simply Hammocks USA website and upcoming European sites in the pipeline.
“When we acquired Simply Hammocks all those years ago it was a tiny business but had huge potential, so it is a huge personal and professional achievement to be now in this position owning a key supplier like Amazonas, which I have always looked up to as being the best hammock manufacturer in the world!.” says Scott Woodhead, YOLO Founder.
With their headquarters in Germany, Amazonas GmbH was founded by Matthias Saul over 30 years ago as he travelled through South America in a canoe, sleeping in a hammock he made with the help of the Huaorani Indian tribe. He loved it so much that when he returned home he knew he had to set up a company selling hammocks and was one of the first companies to fully commercialise the hammock finding a market in Europe.
“Sharing the same values of making customers happy with great products, Amazonas and YOLO have been valued business partners for several years. YOLO now becoming a shareholder in Amazonas deepens the already strong relationship between our companies. This investment and continuous partnership allows Amazonas to focus on growing our brand internationally and further developing our brand as the largest manufacturer of hammocks in the world.” says Matthias Saul, President of Amazonas GmbH