Jack Wolfskin, Germany’s leading domestic outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear brand, has appointed Melody Harris-Jensbach as Chief Executive with immediate effect. Michael Rupp, who has been at the helm since July 2012, decided for personal reasons not to extend his contract with the company, which reported sales of approximately $430 million in 2013.
I am delighted to welcome Melody to Jack Wolfskin. She has 30 years of experience in the fashion retail and the sports industry and will take Jack Wolfskin on to its next phase of growth, said Axel Herberg, Chairman of the Jack Wolfskin Supervisory Board. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Michael for his exceptional contribution to Jack Wolfskin, notably for successfully leading its international expansion, and wish him all the best for the future.
Melody Harris-Jensbach has a distinguished career in product development, design and retail and has previously been a member of the worldwide boards of both Esprit, where she was Chief Product & Design Officer, and of Puma, where she was Vice-Chairman and Chief Product Officer.
I am very excited to be joining Jack Wolfskin,” Melody Harris-Jensbach said. “It is a business with an extraordinary heritage and brand loyalty. Those strengths coupled with ongoing product innovation and further international expansion give me huge confidence in Jack Wolfskins ability to cement its position in the sector and in its potential for further growth.
Harris-Jensbach graduated from North Miami High School and the Parsons school of Design and the New School in New York. Having started her career as a designer in womens wear at Albert Nippon in New York, she headed womens wear at Viventy, Laurel/Escada, Fink Modelle and Esprit. In 2008, she was appointed Vice Chairman and Chief Product Officer of Puma where she was responsible for worldwide brand development. In 2012, she moved back to Esprit as Chief Product & Design Officer to lead worldwide design and product development.
Jack Wolfskin is one of the leading providers of functional outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment in Europe and the largest franchisor in the German specialist sports retail market. The company’s products are currently available in more than 900 franchise stores and at over 4,000 points of sale across Europe and Asia. The company is a member of Fair Wear Foundation and a Bluesign system partner. Jack Wolfskin has also been a member of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals program since 2012. Jack Wolfskin is the official sponsor of the Austria Ski Team Nordic and Alpinschule Innsbruck. Jack Wolfskin is headquartered in Idstein im Taunus, Germany, and employs 800 people around the globe.
