37.5, the fiber technology provider, has hired a number of industry veterans across North America and Europe to support its sales efforts. The team will report directly to EVP of global sales, marketing and merchandising, Scott Branscum.
Todays consumers continue to seek technology in everything they buy, including their apparel and footwear. More and more retailers and brands across the globe are looking to infuse 37.5 technology into their products to enhance end performance and consumer appeal, said Branscum. As we continue to manage the growth of our patented technology and provide marketplace distinction for brands, our corporate philosophy is anchored on the concept of partnership building. We are excited to add this group of experienced sales professionals who bring a proven history of building strong partnerships with iconic consumer brands.
“Our global sales organization also reflects a new commitment to world-class customer service, Branscum adds. Our Account Directors and worldwide customer support team are focused on understanding our brand partners businesses, anticipating their needs, and bringing them appropriate innovation and service.
Among the hires:
AUSTRIA, GERMANY & SWITZERLAND: Sebastiaan van de Loo Appointed Austria, Germany & Switzerland Account Director. Mr. van de Loo brings extensive experience working with several prominent menswear brands including Bäumler, Eduard Dressler, Etienne Aigner, S. Oliver, Jupiter/Ahlers, Calamar/Bültel. He previously worked as Design and Product Manager at Daniel Hechter, Dutch brands van Gils and The Art of Camouflage, and has run project management for several private label suppliers. Additionally, van de Loo acts as a broker and advisor for the production of garments in European factories.
BENELUX & EASTERN EUROPE: Geza Maklary Appointed Eastern Europe & Benelux Account Director. With 25 years of expertise in outdoor/sports, Maklary was previously the European Sales and Marketing Manager at Polartec, where he created his own technical textile, accessories and technologies agency catering to the European outdoor/sports and workwear market. Maklary is also the founder of SportsGear Sourcing Days, an industry tradeshow in Annecy, France.
FRANCE, PORTUGAL & SPAIN: Edouard Liffran Continues as France, Portugal & Spain Account Director. With 20 years of experience in the textile industry selling technical fabrics and yarn, from lingerie and ready-to-wear to sports, Mr. Liffran has been with Cocona since 2009 and launched the 37.5 business in France, Spain and Portugal.
ITALY: Davide Berrone Appointed Italy Account Director. With more than 25 years of expertise in technical textiles, Mr. Berrone previously served at Polartex in various sales, product management and business development roles for the companys European operation. He is also the founder of AxentValue, an agency and consulting company operating in performance sports and equipment textiles markets.
SCANDINAVIA: Anders Wennergren Continues as Scandinavia Account Director. As a key member of Coconas sales team since 2007, Mr. Wennergren covers Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Denmark representing some of the companys largest European accounts.
UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND: Liam Gallagher Appointed UK & Ireland Account Director. With more than 20 years of experience across various textile industries and markets, Mr. Gallagher was most recently Global Vice President of Umbro. Previously, he served as the Category Director of Apparel, Accessories & Footwear Director at Disney Consumer Products, and eventually led the Disney Fashion & Home business in the UK and Ireland. Prior to that, Gallagher was served with Polartec in a range of Sales & Marketing roles and eventually was their Managing Director of Europe.
US EAST COAST: Tim Rogers Appointed U.S. East Coast Account Director. Mr. Rogers previously served as Vice President of Sales at SB Premier Brands, where he was instrumental in the launch of two mens sportswear brands. Prior to that, Rogers was National Accounts Manager at Perry Ellis, and National Sales Manager at Cutter & Buck, where he supervised multiple sales representatives across several category channels and spearheaded a spin-off division with its own sales force.
US CENTRAL: Gordon Roe Continues as U.S. Midwest Account Director. Mr. Roe has more than 15 years of textile technology and new business development experience, including tenures at Outlast Technologies and eVENT Fabric. Roe is responsible for developing new business and maintaining customer relationships in the Rockies and Central United States.
US WEST COAST: Dave Bywater Appointed U.S. West Coast Account Director. Responsible for building the successful Military, Special Forces, and Wildland Fire business at Massif Mountain Gear, Mr. Bywater is now heading up all Military, Wildland Fire, and West Coast consumer-based accounts for 37.5. Bywater has more than 10 years of experience in the high-performance garment and textile industry and most recently served as Vice President of Government Sales at Massif.
37.5 technology was created by Cocona Inc. Previously, 37.5 technology was marketed under the Cocona brand name, as
the original active carbon particles were derived from coconut shells.
The technology has since been expanded to use additional natural
materials and is currently used in clothing, footwear and sleep systems. The company is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.
