ASICS America Corporation named Nobuo Oda as its new CEO and Chairman.
Oda comes to the U.S. with over 40 years of experience within ASICS
Corporation. He began his career in 1967 when he joined Onitsuka Co., Ltd. in Kobe, Japan. He has worked on several partnership/license agreements including L.A. Gear and Harley-Davidson Co.
Oda will replace current CEO and Chairman Seiho Gohashi, who will move back to his native country and take on a new executive position as senior general manager of Asia Pacific Region, which encompasses numerous countries including Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand.
I hope to continue the success that Seiho Gohashi leaves behind in the
U.S., says Nobuo Oda. ³My primary goal will be to further enhance the
running category while also strengthening the apparel division. ASICS has a long legacy as a key player in the footwear running market and we strive to build our apparel program to the same level.
Seiho Gohashi began his roll in April 2005 and quickly made strides to take full advantage of the growing performance running market. His goal during the term in the U.S. was called the ³5-5-5 Plan which he quickly announced during his introductory speech to the company in June 2005. The plan for ASICS America would be $500 million in revenue, $50 million in operating profit, within five years.
Gohashi leaves the U.S. with an incredible track record. ASICS America
sales were $223 million year end 2004 and quickly rose to $302 million in
2005, followed by $380 million in 2006 and an estimated more than $400
million in 2007 (numbers to be released March 31, 2008).
I know I speak on behalf of the entire ASICS family in wishing Seiho the
best of luck in his new position and that he will be greatly missed, says
Rich Bourne, President and COO, ASICS America Corporation.
