Christian Langer was appointed as business unit leader for the Gore-Tex Footwear business following the retirement of Thorger Hubner, after 27 years in the role. Langer, has worked at parent company WL Gore & Associates for 10 years. Most recently he was in charge of business operations at Gore-Tex footwear. Hubner will continue to consult for Gore-Tex Footwear.
Norbert Ebster will continue to be responsible for global sales and expansion at Gore-Tex Footwear, while the European business will be co-ordinated by Klaus Schirl.
Langer said: “I am looking forward to this challenge. With our leading brand partners, a motivated team and the enormously exciting innovations that we have in the pipeline, we are in an excellent position to cope with turbulent market conditions, to come out of the current crisis stronger than ever, and to continue to pursue consistent growth of Gore-Tex Footwear.”
Langer added: “Alongside the outdoor segment, which continues to expand, we believe that the casual, lifestyle and running segments still hold enormous growth potential. In addition to this, regional expansion in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe and China is high on our agenda.”
Gore sponsors the Drapers Footwear Awards 2009, which launched this week
