Helly Hansen Group AS of Norway has reorganized its senior management ranks to support accelerated growth throughout North America.
Gary Davis, previously general manger for Helly Hansen’s North American operations, was promoted to vice president of Canadian operations. Davis, who joined Helly Hansen in 2001, has been central to expanding the brand’s retail base and developing North America’s largest uniform program for outdoor professionals working at winter resorts and mountain guiding services. Today, more than 35,000 employees with more than 65 resorts wear Helly Hansen product in the field.
“The Helly Hansen brand is vibrant in North America thanks in large part to the work Gary and his team have accomplished in one of the world’s most competitive markets,” said Peter Sjölander, Helly Hansen CEO. “Success breeds opportunity. In order to progressively manage the accelerated growth, we’re investing in the U.S. and Canadian management teams to focus on each country’s unique business environments and provide support to our quickly growing number of key accounts and retail partners.”
Filip Francke, a senior-level general manager, marketing and sales executive, with extensive international experience has been named to the new position of vice president of U.S. operations. Francke relocated to the Seattle area this month and will be based out of Helly Hansen’s U.S. headquarters in Auburn, WA, beginning mid-October.
“Helly Hansen’s current success is based on the brand’s distinct Scandinavian styling and proven performance in the world’s toughest environments,” Sjölander said. “Filip’s Scandinavian heritage and previous US experience perfectly align with the brand and its ambitions to become a leader in the global outdoor business.”
Francke most recently served as Managing Director Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg for Electrolux Home Products Corporation and previously managed European operations as vice president for one of that company’s major divisions. He has more than 20 years of international sales, marketing and logistics experience in Europe, North America and Asia.
