Tender Corporation, which sells a variety of first aid, safety and survival products for the outdoor industry under multiple brands, announced the appointment of seasoned consumer packaged goods executive Christopher Heye as chief executive officer.
Heye succeeds Jason Cartwright, who is stepping down to pursue new entrepreneurial activities and who will continue to serve on Tender’s Board of Directors.
Heye most recently served as senior vice president of strategy at Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc., owners of personal health brands including Dramamine and ClearEyes, where he oversaw growth initiatives and was responsible for Prestige’s women’s health and Canadian businesses. He also brings global consumer products leadership experience from his previous role as CEO of Cyclo Industries, where he demonstrated success building three businesses. Heye’s career includes more than two decades in senior consumer products marketing and sales positions at Welch Foods, BP, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Nestle.
“Tender is a gem of a company, and I’m very excited to work with the senior leadership team to grow the business,” said Heye. “I’m eager to apply my business-building experience and sales and marketing insights to grow these treasured brands. Consumer interest in outdoor recreation and sports is booming, and there is enormous potential for Tender’s best-in-class products like After Bite, Ben’s and Natrapel insect repellents, and first-aid essentials QuikClot and Adventure Medical Kits.”
“As the Board and I discussed Tender Corporation’s next phase of growth and my future aspirations, it became clear this is a good milestone in our growth trajectory to bring in a new CEO to lead the business,” said Cartwright. “The company can benefit from Chris’s extensive experience in growing branded consumer products and his deep knowledge of customer needs.”
“We are incredibly grateful for Jason’s 20 years of dedication and service in building Tender, and we are pleased he will continue to support the company’s strategic growth at the Board level, as a shareholder, and as an adviser,” said Gary A. Kiedaisch, Tender’s Board chairman who previously served as chairman and CEO of businesses including Igloo Products Corporation and The Coleman Company. “We are excited to have someone of Chris’ caliber join the Tender team to help build on our momentum. Chris brings an extraordinary record of driving successful consumer goods businesses, and we look forward to his leadership in moving the Company forward. Tender has a long track record of product innovation which Chris can build upon and accelerate, and as before we will be looking to acquire complementary product lines that can benefit from Tender’s global distribution and sales and marketing capabilities.”
Founded in 1973 in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Tender Corporation has built a range of trusted brands in safety, preparedness and first-aid. Tender’s product portfolio includes After Bite, the leader in insect bite relief, highly-rated insect repellents Ben’s and Natrapel, and outdoor first aid and survival product leaders Adventure Medical Kits and Survive Outdoors Longer.
