NEWS
International Golf Championship of the Shoe, Leather and Allied Trades
June 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2011 at Carden Park in Cheshire
HI-TEC Sports Opens New Global Headquarters in Amsterdam
Global Sport and Outdoor Company HI-TEC recently celebrated the grand opening of their brand new state-of-the art, 3,000 square foot, Amsterdam Headquarters. Chairman and Founder, Frank van Wezel commented: “HI-TEC is
extremely proud of our heritage and business foundations. We are a dedicated and passionate Brand who refuses to sit still and rest on our laurels. We must be adaptable, moving with the trends and ensure, for the better of our Company, that the Global Product Development and Marketing teams, whose main brief is to drive our brand forward, are presented with a highly creative and inspirational working environment in a central and easily accessible location.” Heading up the relocation, is Ed van Wezel, Frank’s son and Hi-Tec’s
new CEO. Martin Binnendijk, formally European Chief Executive, will be the group’s
new Chief Finance Officer. This position was previously held by Bob Kaiser who has been announced with immediate effect as the Chief Executive of MAGNUM USA in Modesto, California. Meanwhile Hi-Tec USA has relocated to Portland, Oregon under CEO Bill Berta. Ian Cameron, previously UK Sales Director, has been announced as Hi-Tec UK’s Managing Director effective as of January 2011. The move comes as an extremely integral time for the brand whose
consumer launch of a new brand philosophy, “Inspired by Life”, was also unveiled in January.
The Jones Group acquires Kurt Geiger The Jones Group Inc. has acquired Kurt Geiger, Europe’s largest luxury shoe
The 66th Championship took place at the De Vere Carden Park Hotel and
Golf complex in Cheshire, on June 15th, 16th, and 17th, over two courses, the Nicklaus and Cheshire, both with spectacular views over the Cheshire countryside and Welsh Mountains. 100 golfers competed for the main Championship trophies and the
Regional trophies, and about 110 attended the informal Banquet at the Carden Park Hotel. The Auction and Out on a Limb Prize Draw at the Banquet raised over £6000 on the night for the Trade Charities. Richard Kottler, President of Footwear Friends and Ian Michel, President
of the LHTBI were presented with substantial cheques for their respective organisations by Gordon A Wilson the President of the Championship. The Championship was won by Chris Gorrod, of Brevitt Rieker Ltd, with
77 points over 36 holes; the Ladies Championship was won by Kate James of Euroleathers with 70 points. Runner up, winning the United Chrometanners Cup, was David Smith of Blue Sky Moda Sport, and Andrew Chanter from Lancashire won the Chairman’s Mashie in third place. The Wilbur Muirhead Scratch Cup was won by Craig Hamilton from Barnard Castle for a record 9th time. The Hugh Denton Trophy for the under 35’s was won by Kenny Stirling,
Brevitt Rieker Ltd., and the Turner Bowl for the over 60’s was won by Robert Hollidge, with the Mawer Marlow Trophy for the over 70’s being won by Charles Chamberlain. In the International Match for the Wilbur Muirhead Trophy, a very close
result with England & Wales captained by Paul Pritty of Start-rite Shoes, beating Scotland & Ireland captained by John McHugh by 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 . Next year the Championship is in Scotland at North Berwick from June
20th to 22nd.
Anyone not on the mailing list who would like to play please contact
rodney@leicesteruk.co.uk
8 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • AUGUST 2011
retailer based in the United Kingdom, from Graphite Capital, a leading UK mid- market private equity firm, for approximately $350 million (or £215 million) in cash, inclusive of debt acquired. The transaction, which was financed with cash on hand, is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings per share, exclusive of any required purchase accounting adjustments. The acquisition of Kurt Geiger positions Jones as one of the world’s
most powerful portfolios of fashion footwear, immediately increasing its international penetration to just below 20 percent of net revenues. In addition, this acquisition further extends Jones’ reach into the designer footwear business through Kurt Geiger’s portfolio of high-end brands and presence in leading department stores, such as Harrods and Selfridges. Kurt Geiger will serve as Jones’ hub in Europe. Jones believes there are exciting opportunities to optimize the portfolios’ existing and new brands. The Company expects to achieve significant revenue synergies by leveraging the combined networks of partners, infrastructure and strong department store relationships to expand product distribution worldwide. On a trailing 12-month basis ended April 30, 2011, Kurt Geiger realized net revenues of approximately $332 million (or approximately £205 million). Kurt Geiger distributes owned brands, including Kurt Geiger, Carvela and
KG, and licensed brands, including Nine West, French Connection and Lipsy, in 49 company-operated retail locations and department stores. In addition, Kurt Geiger operates 156 multi-branded shoe concessions in 14 major department store groups including Harrods, Selfridges, House of Fraser and La Rinascente, working with over 100 brand partners to deliver the best selection of the world’s most reputable brands. Since its management buyout in 2008 (backed by Graphite Capital), Kurt Geiger’s strategy of investment and brand growth has led to increases in revenues and profits, in addition to the doubling of the number of Kurt Geiger stores to 60. Kurt Geiger continues to drive global expansion and has already established a substantial presence in the Middle East, including stores across Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar, Russia and Turkey.
www.footweartoday.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80