New Balance announced that effective January 3, New Balance will reorganize the company's Specialty Sales Organization in an effort to accelerate business results in the distribution channels of New Balance stores, family shoe, and running specialty. Highlights of these changes include the launch of a New Balance Store and Family Shoe Specialist organization as well as a stand-alone Running Specialty Team.

“We are confident these changes will enable us to better serve our accounts as well as provide career growth opportunities for our most important asset, our people,” says Chris Quinn, executive vice president of North American sales and retail for New Balance.  “These changes are directly linked to our long-term business growth strategies, but most importantly, to enabling our sales organization to better execute in-store and to continue to be the very best sales team in the industry.”

“These structural adjustments are completely linked to the spirit of what has made our sales organization successful within New Balance North America; a relentless commitment to better serving our accounts and sales representatives,” says Quinn.  “Importantly, these changes also support the New Balance culture and values that make our company special.”

“These moves are all about getting closer to the customer, growing some of our best people, and delivering better in-store execution.  We value the history we have established with our retail partners and believe these moves will only enhance our ability to better leverage the exciting new pipeline of products we are producing.”

The company recently completed an extensive project that included benchmarking of best-in-class sales organizations in the footwear and apparel industry, extensive interviews of New Balance representatives, customers, and associates, as well as a detailed review of territories.

New Balance employs more than 4,000 people around the globe, and in 2009 reported worldwide sales of $1.65 billion.