Case Study

Kipling (A): Monkey business - Kipling tries to conquer the world

16 pages
March 2010
Reference: IMD-3-2153

MAY 1991. Flying back from Venice, Paul Van de Velde thought back about the strange meeting he and Enrico Boldoni had earlier that day with a potential Italian investor. Enrico, an elegant forty something Italian, was the franchising manager for a major department store chain in Italy. He strongly believed in the Kipling brand, and after opening the first Italian Kipling shop in a mall near Rome, decided to switch into a higher gear – opening the next 25 stores! Enrico had found an investor willing to stake a great deal of money in the development of Kipling’s franchise concept in Italy. After a short presentation of the Kipling concept, the man confirmed his interest in investing in Kipling with a minor Italian twist; instead of becoming a Kipling franchisee, he wanted to take over the whole company and become the franchisor! He offered to pay €3.75 million for the company. Paul took a deep breath. Was this really what he was after when he entered the Italian market? Would he have to deal with this kind of issue when internationalizing Kipling? Did they really want to depend on this type of character for the future growth of the company? Was franchising the way to go?

Learning Objective
  • Building a brand
  • Globalizing a startup company
  • Professionalizing a creative startup
  • Modes of internationalization
  • Financing growth
  • Managing growth
  • Start-up teams
Keywords
Entrepreneurship, Growth Management, Marketing, Brand Building, Globalization, Professionalization, Financing Growth, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Fashion, General Management, Strategy
Settings
World/global, Belgium
1986 to 1991
Type
Field Research
Copyright
© 2010
Available Languages
English
Related material
Teaching note, Video
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This case study is part of a series
  • Kipling (A): Monkey business - Kipling tries to conquer the world
  • Kipling (B): An entrepreneur in stormy weather
This case study is part of a series
  • Kipling (A): Monkey business - Kipling tries to conquer the world
  • Kipling (B): An entrepreneur in stormy weather
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Kipling (A): Monkey business - Kipling tries to conquer the world
By Benoit F. Leleux Kurt Verweire and Miguel Meuleman
Case reference: IMD-3-2153 ©2010
Summary
MAY 1991. Flying back from Venice, Paul Van de Velde thought back about the strange meeting he and Enrico Boldoni had earlier that day with a poten...
Reference IMD-3-2153
Copyright ©2010
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Kipling (B): An entrepreneur in stormy weather
By Benoit F. Leleux Kurt Verweire and Miguel Meuleman
Case reference: IMD-3-2154 ©2010
Summary
SEPTEMBER 1991. Paul Van de Velde and Xavier Kegels were expecting a visit from their main banker, Mr. Meuleman. Paul and Xavier had founded Kiplin...
Reference IMD-3-2154
Copyright ©2010
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications