VF Corporation has formed a new international leadership team as part of an ongoing growth initiative to enter new markets and accelerate revenue growth throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

“VF’s transformation to a growing, global lifestyle brand company is well underway and working, and international expansion is a key component of this transformation,” said VF Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Wiseman.

“Over the past five years, VF’s international business has grown from 19% of total revenue to 25%, or $1.6 billion. Given the expansion potential for our brands globally, we now expect that international revenues could account for 30% of total revenues in three to five years. Our new organization structure, combined with our portfolio of powerful brands, will enhance our focus and better align resources to achieve this growth.”

Wiseman announced that Karl Heinz Salzburger will lead VF’s international team as President of Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Asia, a new position. Since 2001, Salzburger, 49, has served as President of VF’s Outdoor – International Coalition with responsibility for the international businesses of The North Face, Vans, Kipling, JanSport, Reef, Napapijri, Eastpak, and Nautica brands. Prior to that, he served as President of The North Face and Chief Executive Officer of The North Face, Europe. Prior to joining VF in 1997, he was with Benetton Sportsystem S.p.A., where he served as President, Nordica Group and President, BSS Subsidiaries.

In this new role, Salzburger will have responsibility for VF’s Outdoor and Jeanswear businesses in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He will continue to report to Wiseman.

“Karl Heinz is an exceptional business leader who has more than 15 years of international apparel experience in growing global brands. He will work with a talented management team with considerable apparel and international business experience,” Wiseman said.

Reporting to Salzburger will be:

  • Aidan OMeara, 43, President, VF Jeanswear-International Coalition
  • Topher Gaylord, 37, President, Outdoor International
  • Martin Berendsen, 56, President, Action Sports International
  • Martino Scabbia Guerrini, 42, President, Sportswear International
  • Corrado Conti, 38, Vice President, Business Development

This group will be supported by a dedicated team of finance, supply chain and legal executives, including:

  • Scott Roe, 41, who has been named Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Asia. Roe previously served as CFO for VF Intimates.
  • Tom Glaser, 45, President, Supply Chain Europe/Asia. Glaser was appointed to his current position in March. He previously served as Managing Director of VF Asia Sourcing.
  • Monica Zocca, 45, Head of Legal Affairs, Outdoor International. Zocca was appointed to her current position in June 2005.

Salzburger said VF will continue to extend its brands across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, with particular focus on growth markets such as India, China and Russia.

“These markets have growing middle classes with an accelerating demand for lifestyle brands. VF has some of the most highly desired brands in the world and a world-class supply chain that can deliver them to these consumers,” Salzburger said.