Europa Sports Products

In 1990, Eric Hillman and Jeff Compton launched Europa Sports Products in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their business model was straightforward: become the essential middleman for a growing industry. They created a distribution network for nutritional supplements, sports drinks, and accessories. Instead of brands building their own logistics to reach thousands of individual gyms, health food stores, and specialty retailers, Europa would do it for them. This "Just in Time" inventory model allowed small businesses to stay competitive without tying up capital in stock. For decades, Europa quietly built its dominance, expanding its catalog to include hundreds of brands and thousands of products. In February 2016, the company merged with a key competitor, Lone Star Distribution, solidifying its national footprint. This move combined two major players, creating a more powerful force in the sports nutrition distribution space. A significant new chapter began in August 2024, when Europa was acquired by Prenetics, a global health sciences company. This wasn't a winding down, but a strategic re-energizing. The acquisition provides Europa with significant resources and a technology-driven vision, aiming to blend its traditional brick-and-mortar strength with a modern digital distribution platform. The deal also established Charlotte as the U.S. headquarters for Prenetics, positioning Europa as a key part of its expansion into the American consumer health market.