Industry: News


Brasher strengthens management team


Craft and FIS extend partnership


S


wedish sportswear manufacturer CRAFT will continue to sponsor the FIS Tour de Ski and


will further intensify its brand exposure at all FIS Cross-Country World Cup events. CRAFT and the international Ski Federation (FIS)


have collaborated for many years and the new agreement represents an expansion of the current partnership. The increased cooperation will provide CRAFT


with first-rate exposure at all FIS Cross-Country World Cup events as well as expanded exposure at the FIS Tour de Ski performance by CRAFT Sportswear. "Cross-country skiing is stronger than ever and


A


s part of an investment strategy for future growth, outdoor walking brand brasher is


strengthening its management team with the appointment of new Operations, Sales and Finance Managers. Dave Ballantine joins the team as Operations


Manager this month and will be responsible for Customer Services, Supply Chain, Planning and After Sales. Dave brings with him a wealth of experience from within the outdoor industry. Neil Harrison has also joined the brasher


management team as Sales Manager. Neil is a passionate walker and has a background in the FMCG sector, where he has managed sales teams at Coca Cola and Arla Foods. Neil will be


responsible for leading brasher’s UK sales team and will work closely with the trade to further reinforce brasher’s strong positioning around excellence in comfort and fit for the passionate walker. Finally, John McKenna joins the brasher


management team as Finance Manager. John has more than ten years experience in finance, accounting and trend analysis. Marco Ellerker, Managing Director, commented:


“Building a strong infrastructure is integral to our future plans in this increasingly complex market place. These positions will bring a new dimension to our management team, as we strive to deliver the ultimate walking experience to our consumers.”


KEEN hires footwear guru for Merchandising Executive


K


EEN, manufacturer of hybrid outdoor and casual footwear, bags and socks, has


announced that Ron Hill has joined as its new Vice President for Merchandising. “Ron brings significant experience and passion


to KEEN and will take full responsibility for the product 'go-to-market' component,” said James Curleigh, KEEN’s CEO. “He will double the impact of the KEEN’s product development team with his tremendous track record in the casual and performance footwear categories.”  “I view joining the KEEN team as a chance to


contribute to an entrepreneurial company’s growth,” said Ron Hill, Vice President for Merchandising, KEEN.


Ron “grew up in footwear” starting his first


job selling shoes at Nordstrom at age 15. He served in roles from the stock room to regional merchandiser, helping build the company’s reputation for shoe merchandising. During his 26- year career at Nike, Ron was responsible for product planning, design and development. Already a KEEN fan, Ron is on-point to





strengthen KEEN’s relationship with its customers and help maximize the product line for retailers. “I am excited to be part of a young, growing organisation with a strong product offering and solid brand values.


I look forward


to contributing to the KEEN story by helping the brand exceed its fan’s product expectations.”


the partnership with FIS, together with collaboration with the Swedish, Finnish and Polish national cross-country skiing teams, allows us to strengthen our position as the world-leading manufacturer of cross-country ski clothing," says Magnus Mansson, CEO at CRAFT. "It provides us with great opportunities to expose our brand on all key markets".


ISPO on Snow Demo


T


he ISPO’s test event will be held for the second time on the slopes of the Hintertux Glacier,


and provides international retailers and members of the media with the opportunity to test the products exhibited at ISPO under realistic conditions.


Beginning on February 2nd, 2012, immediately


after the trade show, all interested parties are invited to demo the selection of winter sports products for 2013 during the three days of the test event. The hands-on, practical tests and subsequent


discussions provide the participants of the ISPO On Snow Demo with a comprehensive overview of the latest product innovations. Close to 90 international retailers from 16 countries took advantage of the service and participated in the event's premier last February. The event will focus on ski, freeski,and


snowboard products, protectors, helmets, snowshoes, apparel, accessories and backpacks. The ISPO On Snow Demo will be held from


February 2nd to 4th. 2012 at the Hintertux Glacier in Tirol, Austria.


www.sgboutdoor.co.uk 5


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