Changes afoot at adidas
24/10/2013
The sportswear and footwear company’s Western Europe segment has been divided into five areas: Central, North, South, France and Iberia.
Gil Steyaert, currently managing director North for the adidas Group, has been appointed managing director Western Europe effective November 1. He will report to Roland Auschel, board member for global sales, and will be based in Herzogenaurach. Mr Steyaert joined the adidas Group in 1999 as joint managing director for France. In January 2003, he became managing director North (UK and Ireland, Benelux and Scandinavia).
Gavin Thomson has been appointed managing director North, effective January 1. According to the company, Mr Thomson has played a critical role in building the global wholesale function of the adidas Group.
"Consumer behaviour is changing fast in Europe: country borders are becoming less relevant for our consumers and customers,” said adidas CEO, Herbert Hainer. “To continue to lead the game on our home turf, we have decided to go forward with one aligned strategy for Western Europe.
“I am convinced that our new set-up will make us even more attractive for consumers and customers in Western Europe and will enable us to further extend our leadership position in this important region."
The adidas Group in North America is to unite the adidas and Reebok brands under one management team with immediate effect.
"With this new organisational structure, we ensure that both the adidas and Reebok brands remain separate and distinctive while leveraging the group's strengths. This new set-up will make our group stronger and grow our business faster in the US," said Mr Hainer.
Patrik Nilsson, currently president of adidas North America, has been appointed president, adidas Group North America and will lead the newly united organisation. He will also assume global responsibility for Reebok-CCM Hockey. Mr Nilsson was named president of adidas North America in January 2007, having first joined the brand in 1991 as head of sales and marketing at adidas Sweden.
After 23 years at the adidas Group, Uli Becker, currently president of Reebok North America, has decided to leave the adidas Group to pursue new career and business opportunities.
"We would like to thank Uli for his leadership, expertise and the many contributions he has made to the success of the adidas Group over the last 23 years in his various roles at adidas and Reebok in marketing and sales. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours," said Mr Hainer.
Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the adidas Group employs more than 46,000 people and generated sales of €14.9 billion ($20.5 billion) in 2012.
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