Ibex Outdoor Clothing LLC announced the hiring of Andrew Caughey, a New Zealander, as VP of sales and marketing. This important new position is being introduced to manage the company's significant growth rate in sales.
Caughey was most recently employed as the international marketing manager for the New Zealand Merino Company Ltd. based in Christchurch, New Zealand where his responsibilities included implementing the marketing strategies that established long term supply contracts between the New Zealand wool growers, leading textile mills and retail apparel brands. For the last nine years Caughey has been actively involved in the positioning and branding of the New Zealand Merino internationally as the premium wool fiber for the luxury and active outdoor markets.
“For many years, we have worked with Andy in his role at the New Zealand Merino Company,” says John Fernsell, Ibex president. “Andy will bring an expertise in wool which will be invaluable to Ibex as we continue to explore new innovations in wool technology and provide leadership in the outdoor industry looking for new wool applications in both fabric construction and product design. The outdoor industry now recognizes wool as an important new apparel category so we will utilize Andy's expertise and experience in wool to raise the profile of Ibex and by building on our relationships with dealers and retailers.”
As vice president of sales and marketing, Caughey will be responsible in for the overall communications of the company including brand messaging, dealer support and retailer education as part of the company's strategic marketing plan.
Caughey's resume boasts extensive experience with wool. Raised on a sheep farm running almost 10,000 sheep, to 4 years in Italy working with the world's finest weaving mills, Caughey has an extensive knowledge of the value chain which is unusual within the textile industry. “I look forward to using my knowledge and experience of the Merino market towards the continued growth of the Ibex brand” says Caughey. “I have always admired the unique styling of Ibex and their use of innovative wool fabrics and a distinctive color palette. Over the years I have seen Ibex steadily develop with growing consumer appeal to the point that is now capturing the interest of a whole new generation of wool users. I am looking forward to supporting Ibex in the company's next growth phase, and privileged to be able to contribute its ongoing leadership in the wool apparel category.”
Caughey holds a Bachelor's Degree of Commerce with a major in business management and marketing from Lincoln College, Canterbury University in New Zealand. He recently relocated to Vermont with his wife and two children.
