Current President and CEO Lars Ollberg will retire on March 6, 2025. He has worked for the company for over 45 years. Incoming President and CEO Cyrille Viellard, who has worked at Rapala VMC since 2014, will assume the CEO role on March 7, 2025.
Author: SGB Executive
EXEC: Smartwool and Icebreaker Consolidate Distribution in Benelux
Smartwool has appointed Ideavelop BV as its exclusive distributor for the Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg building on a 25-year relationship with VF Corporation sister brand Icebreaker.
EXEC: Radek Musil Ascends to CEO Role at Colt CZ Group
The Group will separate the company’s CEO and Chairman of the Board of Director roles effective January 1. Jan Drahota will continue as chairman of Colt CZ, and Radek Musil, the CEO of Sellier & Bellot, will become the new CEO of Colt CZ.
EXEC: The Athlete’s Foot Opens Store in Rotterdam
TAF said the retail space represents a new “TAF 3.0” concept that has been “successfully tried and tested in the USA, now tailored to meet the unique cultural landscape and consumer demands of Rotterdam.”
PwC’s 2025 M&A Outlook Sees Arrows Pointing Up for Deal Flow
PwC’s analysis of PitchBook Data, Inc., found that several thousand PE exits were delayed over the past two years. The company said some of these exits are more likely to happen now that more certainty has returned to the market — meaning more potential targets for corporate acquirers.
EXEC: Giant Group’s 2024 Trend Degrades Further as November Sales Fall 16 Percent
The Taiwan-based bike manufacturer saw its 11-month year-to-date (YTD) sales trend fall further in November after mid-single-digit declines in October and September.
EXEC: Roots Sees Solid Q3 Growth Continuing into Fourth Quarter
Roots Corporation reported that total fiscal third quarter sales were CN$66.9 million for the 13-week period ended November 2, a 5.3 percent increase as compared to CN$63.5 million in Q3 2023, led by double-digit growth in P&O sales.
EXEC: Inside Under Armour’s First Investor Day in Six Years
CEO Kevin Plank underlined the brand’s underdog positioning and attitude by describing the company as a “$5 billion start up.” Senior executives provided an in-depth qualitative overview of the company’s product, brand, and commercial strategies and other key initiatives being executed.
EXEC: Authentic Partners with Ares Holdings to Support Ted Baker Brand in South Africa
Ares, with exclusive distribution rights for Crocs, Birkenstock, Under Armour, Vans, Hey Dude, and Teed Baker, supports partner brands through over 65 owned-retail stores, a network of over 2,500 wholesale doors and six owned e-commerce sites.
EXEC: November FW Factory Shipments Soar as Key Nike Factory Posts DD Growth
Yue Yuen’s manufacturing business, which boasts Adidas, Merrell, Asics and many others as key customers, posted a 17.0 percent increase in November, while Feng Tay, a major Nike supplier, returned to positive territory delivering 10 percent growth year-over-year.
EXEC: Authentic Partners with Orbico Group to Manage Champion Brand in EMEA Region
Orbico has focused on and successfully operated in the Sports Style category, becoming an exclusive distributor for leading footwear brands in Central and Eastern Europe, including Converse, Dr. Martens, Merrell, and On.
EXEC: Puma Opens New Creative Hub at Global Headquarters in Germany
Studio48 is a new creative hub at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany where Puma’s designers and creatives can come together to freely develop new ideas and create concepts for new performance and Sportstyle products as well as campaigns.
EXEC: Macy’s Completes Investigation into Accounting Issues; Lowers Q3 EPS Guidance
The retailer is now reporting it is revising its EPS guidance downward, an announcement that sent M shares tumbling nearly 10 percent in pre-market trading on Wednesday, December 11.
EXEC: Adidas HQ Raided Amid On-Going Tax Probe
Adidas has reassured stakeholders that it has compiled and has been cooperating with authorities over an extended period, furnishing them with the documentation and pertinent information required to the tax investigation.
EXEC: Far Bank Evolves European Distribution with UK-Based Guide Flyfishing
Guide Flyfishing will be taking over Scandinavian distribution responsibilities effective January 1, 2025, and throughout the Republic of Ireland beginning February 1, 2025.