VIENNA, Austria — April 6, 2021 — Polypropylene (PP) is a highly effective material, offering advanced mechanical properties and being well suited for reusing and recycling. To support the large-scale adoption of ePP, Sulzer Chemtech is now launching a new and innovative production line. Developed together with raw material supplier Borealis, the resulting solution supports the end market efforts towards more circular solutions and is expected to cut manufacturing costs by up to 60 percent.
As opposed to conventional autoclave production methods, Sulzer Chemtech’s innovative system relies on extrusion with direct gas impregnation, offering an easy to implement alternative with a quick return on investment. Foam molders, such as packaging manufacturers, can implement the compounding line to considerably reduce the costs associated with material supply, warehousing and intermediate transportation. As a result, companies can offer ePP parts at more competitive prices while supporting the adoption of easy to recycle polyolefin applications.
Additional benefits include having full control over the properties of the ePP, such as bulk density, closed cell content and bead size distribution, as well as maximum flexibility in fine-tuning the recipes. Also, the highly automatized process keeps maintenance requirements low and simplifies operations. Besides, the extruded beads can be subsequently easily processed with standard steam pressure in steam chest molding machines to obtain molded bead foam products with specific shapes. In addition, Sulzer Chemtech and Borealis are developing an alternative that can use carbon dioxide, supporting different customer needs and plant settings.
“Collaborating with an industry leader like Sulzer has been a pleasure,” commented Christopher McArdle, Borealis vice president of Polyolefins Strategy & New Business Development. “Life demands progress. This innovation will further drive the adoption of our PP foam solutions, supporting the transition to a circular economy of plastics. This is how we re-invent for more sustainable living.”
Torsten Wintergerste, division president of Sulzer Chemtech, concluded: “We are extremely pleased with the advanced ePP production line that we have developed together with Borealis. The result of this collaboration truly attests to the extensive expertise of both companies. Using our latest solution, customers will be able to benefit from cutting-edge equipment with enhanced performance as well as high-quality PP for the production of best-in-class foams.”
VALENCIA, Calif. — April 5, 2021 — Mechanix Wear, a supplier of high-performance hand protection, announced today its all-new Torch™ Welding Series featuring top quality welding gloves designed to elevate protection for welders in the field. Mechanix Wear developed its Torch Welding Series gloves in partnership with Paul “Torch” Le Sage and a select group of skilled welders and fabricators from different disciplines. The gloves include a new patent-pending fingertip design and high-wearing Durahide™ Leather Technology as well as other unique features to create one of the most innovative and durable lines of welding gloves and accessories available.
Below is a summary of the four different gloves and accessories that make up the Torch Series:
Pulse TIG Welding Gloves features Durahide™ Goat Leather construction and glide-resistant side seam reinforcement for automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and construction welders.
Cascade MIG Welding Gloves features Durahide Cow Leather construction and glide-resistant side seam reinforcement for automotive, manufacturing and construction welders.
Flux Extended Gauntlet Leather Driver Gloves features Durahide Cow Leather construction, an FR cotton liner and torch palm reinforcement for structural and mechanical welding, shipbuilding, heavy equipment and pipe welding.
Regulator HD MIG & Stick Welding Gloves features a Kevlar® lining, which enables a ANSI A4 cut level, Durahide™ Board Leather construction and glide-resistant side seam reinforcement for structural and pipe welding.
X-Finger Heat Barrier is built with Durahide Boar leather and insulated with CarbonX®. The X-Finger is complete with yellow Kevlar® thread construction and a convenient adjustable hook and loop strap.
X-Pad Heat Barrier includes a CarbonX® heat barrier and heavyweight felt interior. The X-Pad is complete with yellow Kevlar thread construction, pocket inserts for the thumb and fingers and an easy-to-access storage loop.
SpeedKnit™ Heat Sleeves, two 18-inch sleeves with designated thumb holes, include 100-percent Kevlar construction provides heat resistance and CE Level 3 cut resistance. The machine-washable sleeves feature a Fiber-Shield® treatment that resists oil and other fluids.
“Across industries, welders require hand protection equipment that goes above and beyond the average work glove,” said Michael Hale, CEO at Mechanix Wear. “The innovative materials and structural integrity of our new Torch™ Series will be a game-changer for those who rely so heavily on their hands to do their job.”
Last September, Mechanix Wear announced an agreement with DuPont, a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, to license DuPont™ Kevlar, a cut-and-heat resistant material that meets or exceeds international standards for protection and performance. The new Torch™ Series is the first Mechanix Wear series to use DuPont™ Kevlar in select gloves and accessories to improve protection, performance and longevity.
Mechanix Wear’s Regulator HD MIG & Stick Welding Gloves were recognized as a DuPont’s Kevlar Glove Innovation Award winner in 2020. The awards showcased excellence in innovative glove designs from licensees that use DuPont Kevlar aramid fiber and continue to redefine the standards for performance and comfort in personal protective equipment (PPE).
“The welding and metal fabrication industry has a high glove turnover rate due to the lack of quality protective gear on the market,” said Le Sage, who has been involved in drag racing for decades and got his nickname from his background as a welder. “Our goal with the Torch Welding Series was to create much-needed protective equipment so professionals can get the job done — and get it done safely.”
Now celebrating its 30-year anniversary, Mechanix Wear continues to roll out a full slate of products that deliver superior fit, feel and function throughout the rest of 2021. The company also announced last month a multi-year partnership to become the Official Work Glove of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders).
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — April 5, 2021 — John Hopkins, CEO for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, or IACMI-The Composites Institute, has earned a spot on Smart Manufacturing magazine’s “25 Leaders Transforming Manufacturing” list, the publication announced today.
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) credited Hopkins and his fellow honorees with revolutionizing the pace and scope of technological adoption of smart manufacturing processes at the highest level. SME consulted manufacturing experts from across a range of industry segments and disciplines to identify the 25 individuals, whose employers include public-private partnerships, startups, large corporations and standards organizations.
Calling these men and women “luminaries in manufacturing,” Robert Willig, SME executive director and CEO, said they are the movers and shakers driving the dramatic advances in the manufacturing industry.
“We’ve seen in the last several months how quickly our industry can rebound to near full production,” Willig said. “These leaders in manufacturing are pushing the pace of change in our industry, paving the path that leads to elevated quality, improved productivity, increased profitability and higher employment here in North America.”
Hopkins said the SME recognition is a “team honor” and it speaks to the collaborative ecosystem of innovation that IACMI — as a U.S. Department of Energy funded Manufacturing USA Institute — and its industry, academic and government partners, such as founding partners Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, have created to drive commercial outcomes for composites, specifically in key energy related markets that improve U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, lead to economic growth and support national security.
Under his leadership, IACMI has served more than 250 members across the U.S., catalyzing innovation with industry partners in more than 50 IACMI technical projects aimed at accelerating the development and adoption of new manufacturing technologies for low-cost, energy-efficient advanced composites. Since 2015, IACMI has sparked $130 million in new research and development value in the U.S., more than 15 new commercially available products, $400 million investment in eight states and 3,000 new jobs in the composites industry.
“IACMI has structured our membership to better serve their needs,” Hopkins said. “This past year has underscored the importance of having IACMI consortium members aligned and connected with each other as a community, and the broader connectivity provided by the Manufacturing USA Institutes as a network of these communities, so we can accelerate technical innovations and rapidly manufacture solutions to meet U.S. demand.”
Hopkins joined IACMI in 2015 as senior technology manager and, two years later, was named the institute’s CEO. Prior to joining IACMI, he served as vice president for research and economic development and director of strategic operations at the University of Tennessee. He earned his M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University, and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Smart Manufacturing profiles all 25 exceptional leaders in its April 2021 issue.
NEW YORK CITY — April 6, 2021 — Fred David (Como Diffusion Inc.) announced today that it has signed a long-term licensing agreement with Tempur Sealy International Inc. to extend the Sealy brand into the sleepwear, loungewear and accessories categories, in a deal brokered by IMG. Sealy Sleepwear is slated to launch in Spring 2022 and will be sold in select department stores, e-commerce channels, and specialty retailers throughout the United States and Canada.
The Sealy Sleepwear and Loungewear collections will include sets, coordinates, separates, robes, and accessories to encompass the brand’s ethos. They are designed with ease, comfort, and quality for the sleep you need to have a healthy & balanced life. The collections will be made of core essential fabrics, specially selected to improve sleep by maximizing cooling and breathability. Each style is specially engineered to increase airflow and comfort while in the bed. Premium, sustainably sourced fabrics will be available to support the goal of a more sustainable future.
“Sealy is the number one bedding brand in the US and a leader in the sleep industry. Sealy represents our focus to grow with the best and most influential partners. As we continue to deepen our brand assortment, we view the addition of Sealy as a step towards strengthening our licensed business,” said Andy Kirstein, president and CEO at Fred David.
The assortment will quickly expand to include Mens and Womens loungewear and sleep accessories by Fall/Holiday 2022.
Adapting to the COVID environment, AAPN brings new technology to the Network’s mission.
TW Special Report
The Americas Apparel Producers’ Network’s (AAPN) Executive Director Sue Strickland and Managing Director Mike Todaro have a long history of dedication to the members of the apparel supply chain in the Americas.
Strickland has run the organization since 1990 when it was known as the American Apparel Contractors Association. Todaro joined her in 1995. Membership numbers dropped drastically following the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, but through hard work and a willingness to embrace change — opening membership to the Americas in 2001, later the world; changing the name first to the American Apparel Producers’ Network, then in 2013 to the Americas Apparel Producers’ Network to reflect the changing nature of the organization; hosting conferences in Central and South America; adding regional conferences across the United States to allow less-senior personnel the opportunity to participate in the network; and establishing the Carolinas Mill tour to help educate brands and retailers on steps in the garment production chain with a focus on the supply chain available in the Carolinas — AAPN is thriving and growing today and adapting to meet the challenges of the Covid and post-Covid environments.
AAPN’s annual meeting, traditionally held in May in Miami, has grown through the years both in attendance and reputation. As Todaro commented at the close of the 2019 event, “This is my 25th year in the AAPN,” Todaro said. “Every year, EVERY year, these conferences get bigger, better and more important. Meeting as a supply chain is unique. Meeting as the Americas is unique. Meeting with so many key industry leaders is unique. We’re a one-of-a-kind network that learns from ourselves. We featured eight agenda events, six speakers and two panels — a total of 17 people, excluding me and our president Tony Anzovino — and only four of them were men! Lots of networking, lots of business transacted, lots of relationships formed, lots of trust. AAPN put the Americas on the map, and in May the Americas met at the AAPN.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in March of 2020, it became clear that the 2020 in person event could not take place. Soon, travel restrictions, a growing understand of Covid and new demands on the apparel supply chain were in full swing.
AAPN’s responses was to open up the Network’s online Sourcing Center to produce for the medical community. Strickland noted at the time: “Within 10 minutes of launching on March 22, the center had its first post. As of April 3, more than 10,000 have viewed the center, with 3,500-plus registered users and nearly 500 posts. Users have come from every corner of the industry including members of NAUMD (uniforms), IFAI (fabric), INDA (nonwovens), SPESA (equipment), SEAMS (regional) and AAFA (lobby).”
The response was swift and potent. “This experience has been one of the most ground-breaking validations of the power of trust-through-networking in the nearly 40 year history at AAPN, which has been under Sue Strickland’s leadership for 30 years,” commented Todaro at the time.
As the response to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) stabilized, AAPN sought to use technology to fill the networking gap created by member’s inability to travel or meet in person. AAPN offered a series of “Fireside Chats” — virtual meetings with topics ranging from “The Swift Response – Activation Of Our Industry To Confront An Existential Crisis” to “Industry Insights From a Former Fortune 50 CEO” and “Traceability & Transparency”.
Now, the Annual pro:Americas Conference 2021 is on the calendar May 4, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with registration now open and closing April 27. As Strickland explained: “There is one new and exciting twist to the 2020 meeting. The event will be virtual, held in a massive multi-floor ‘convention center’ with attendees seated at eight person tables and moving table-to-table as seats open, sending notes agreeing to meet others privately, or one-on-one at a table for two. This is a bit of a learning curve but we are putting in place some tutorials and resources to enhance member’s experiences.”
The AAPN 2021 Annual Conference Agenda
Laura Phillips, senior vice president, Walmart, on its $350 billion Made in USA investment;
Dr. Juan Jose Daboub, president, ThinkHUGE, on its project top invest billions in apparel in Central America;
Steve Lamar, CEO of AAFA, on apparel industry legislation and sourcing post-pandemic;
Dr. Lynne Sprugel, CEO, abuzz global LLC, on her four Future Forum Innovation tams and their June report; and
Jesus Canahuati, CEO, Elcatex, on how Honduras is emerging from the virus and ramping up production.
Mike Todaro (left) and Sue Strickland
Strickland and Todaro sat down — virtually — with Textile Worldeditors to elaborate on the new technology and expectations of the May 2021 conference that will notably go beyond zoom.
TW: AAPN adapted quickly to going virtual, first with the sourcing center, then the Fireside chats, how did members respond?
Strickland: Enthusiastically. We were all in the same boat, trapped at home. With the Sourcing Center, our first response was actually from a non-member, so it wasn’t just members, it was the entire industry, sitting there shell shocked until a “call to arms’” activated our industry’s sense of urgency.
TW: In trying to enhance the networking aspect of the annual meeting which has become so popular, what solutions did you investigate?
Strickland: We knew that people were overloaded with virtual events so we had to be respectful of their time while still giving them access to networking, for which we are known. We knew we could recruit terrific speakers. The challenge was literally face-to-face networking. A Board member referred a small firm to us that would manage our event on a proven conferencing platform.
TW: How does the multi-floor convention center with attendees seated at eight-person-tables work?
Strickland: Every registered attendee creates a profile including name, contact, linkedin and more. The screen for our conference shows a large number of tables for eight. If you roll over that table you can see who is sitting there. If there is an empty seat, you double click on it. As you sit, you can see the other seven people on a typical zoom screen.
TW: What can attendees expect from the experience?
Todaro: Great, topical, useful, actionable content. WAY overdue face-to-face networking with long lost friends. Random break out sessions. Perhaps even a panel pulled from the audience. In other words, a high energy, no politics, deeply trusting AAPN event.
TW: The apparel supply chain has a heavily traveling membership. Do you think this will change? And what are your expectations for future in person events??
Todaro: Walmart told us they are going back to their offices on July 5. THAT will be a tipping point! We expect serious travel to be more frequent in the fourth quarter. The question of how one gets into or out of any country is going to be challenging.
TW: Is your Annual Conference the only major virtual event left for this year?.
Todaro: No. Last year, we hosted a virtual Future Form with over three dozen senior members. From that two hours came so much visionary forecasting we created an industry survey. From THAT came so many potential outcomes we created four Innovation Teams of three dozen members. Each team will present their conclusions, one virtual event per week, in June.
As vaccinations for COVID rise and the economy opens, the future of all industry events are coming into focus. Will the pandemic change the landscape of event offerings and expectations? No doubt, but if you’ve ever experienced an AAPN annual meeting, the environment where everyone in the room is accessible and welcoming of new relationships, will be craved by members and non-members alike.
WILMINGTON, Del. — April 1, 2021 — The LYCRA Co., has announced the appointment of Yafu Qiu, chairman of The LYCRA Co., and Julien Born, chief commercial officer of The LYCRA Co., as co-CEOs, effective April 1, 2021, following the retirement of David Trerotola. The co-ceo structure is intended to better implement The LYCRA Co.’s new strategic development plan for the next five years and will bring greater operational focus and tap into each leader’s experience and skills in the areas most beneficial to the company to solidify its industry-leading position and drive its long-term success.
Trerotola served as the company’s CEO since 2019, following the Ruyi Group’s acquisition of the business. Trerotola retires after 20 years of dedicated service to The LYCRA Co. and its predecessor companies. He began his career in 1994 with DuPont.
“I want to thank Dave for his many contributions to The LYCRA Co.,” said Yafu Qiu, chairman of The LYCRA Co., the company’s controlling shareholder. “Dave’s passion for the business was evident to me from the beginning, and I wish him all the best in this next phase of his journey with his wife and family. At my request, Dave will support a smooth transition of leadership and will be working with me and Julien over the next 60 days.”
Born, currently the company’s chief commercial officer, will serve as co-CEO and lead the overall operations of the company and implement its ambitious growth vision. Born joined the business in 2007 and, since 2018, led the company’s apparel business, where he managed the global commercial organization, helped strengthen R&D and innovation capabilities, and oversaw manufacturing assets. Born has also spent significant time in Asia, where he led that region over an eight-year period, with assignments in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Born has had a diverse 24-year career spent in the United States, Europe and Asia, as both an executive in large multinational companies and as a business owner of a full-service corporate licensing agency. A native of Switzerland, Born holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business and a Swiss baccalaureate degree.
“The board has appointed Julien as The LYCRA Co.’s next CEO,” Qiu said. “I am confident that Julien understands the opportunities and challenges facing the business and we are fully committed to supporting him and the entire leadership team on the new developments and performance growth of The LYCRA Co. to help The LYCRA Co. realize its full potential in 2021 and beyond.”
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead a tremendous team of colleagues at The LYCRA Company who are focused every day on creating value in the industries we serve via our unique brand portfolio, high-quality products, unparalleled innovation capabilities, and our global network of partners,” said Mr. Born. “I look forward to a close partnership with Chairman Qiu and the Ruyi Group to further develop our manufacturing capacity and accelerate the growth of our business, especially in China.”
Qiu, in addition to continuing as chairman of The LYCRA Co., will focus his co-CEO role on the company’s relationships with key stakeholders, board governance matters, strategic planning, and capital structure adjustments, including the strategy and timing of an initial public offering.
“The LYCRA Co. is faced with many new challenges in a fast-developing world,” concluded Qiu. “We are taking this opportunity to appoint Mr. Born and other new management team members to work on a new strategy to further build our brand franchises, expand manufacturing capacity, develop more impactful innovations with our global value-chain partners, lead the industry in sustainability, and accelerate our digital transformation. I am confident that the new management team will be able to further strengthen the leadership role of The LYCRA Co. in the apparel and personal care industries.”
MOUNT GILEAD, N.C. — April 1, 2021 —McRae Footwear, a division of McRae Industries Inc., has been awarded a contract for Marine Corps temperate weather combat boots by the United States Government Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support. This contract is for a base year and four option years with the following maximum dollar value. Base year $6,213,060.00, Option I $6,306,300.00, Option II $6,400,800.00, Option III $6,496,560.00, Option IV $6,594,210.00 for a total of $32,010,930.00. The first delivery is scheduled for 120 days after contract award date.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — April 5, 2021 — Motion Industries, Inc. — a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a provider of industrial technology solutions — is pleased to announce that Jim May was promoted to director of Corporate Development, effective April 1.
May joined Motion in August 2020 as Director of Strategic Planning and Development to advance the company’s corporate strategic planning, provide economic, industry and competitor analyses, and support deal-side acquisition execution and integration processes. In his new role, he will continue his involvement in Motion’s strategic planning but will take on direct responsibility for advancing the company’s acquisition strategy and processes. May will continue to report directly to Greg Cook, Motion executive vice president and CFO.
“Since joining Motion last August, Jim has quickly displayed his financial, strategic, acquisition and relational acumen,” Cook said. “In his new, expanded role, Jim will now have front-line responsibility for building relationships with potential acquisition targets, and will be the outward-facing point person for our acquisition pipeline. His wide-ranging strategy, corporate development and financial experience within the industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as his highly relational approach, uniquely position him to lead Motion’s corporate development efforts and to help achieve our company vision.”
Before joining Motion last year, May built 20 years of corporate development experience, including positions with Diebold Nixdorf and most recently Chart Industries, a mid-cap multi-national public company, where he led global strategic planning and merger and acquisition (M&A) functions. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Akron.
ATLANTA, GA — March 29, 2021 — Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Danimer Scientific, a developer and manufacturer of biodegradable materials, plans to invest $700 million in expanding their Bainbridge manufacturing operations, nearly quadrupling their workforce in Decatur County. On March 16, Danimer and Mars-Wrigley announced a partnership to develop an innovative home compostable packaging, with SKITTLES® as the brand’s first product to use the new packaging.
“I want to thank Danimer for this planned investment in Bainbridge that will create hundreds of solid manufacturing jobs for the hardworking people of southwest Georgia,” said Governor Kemp. “Across multiple industries, Georgia is growing jobs of the future. This major expansion is a testament to the increasing focus Georgia is putting on sustainability and innovation, supported by our highly skilled workforce, technical colleges, and business-friendly climate.”
Headquartered in Bainbridge for over a decade, Danimer currently employs more than 100 people in southwest Georgia. The company’s renewable and sustainable biopolymers are used in single-use and other plastic products. These materials are biodegradable and compostable and are used by clients in industries like food packaging, bottling, and other traditional packaging sectors. Applications for Danimer’s biopolymers include additives, aqueous coatings, fibers, filaments, films, hot-melt adhesives, and injection-molded articles.
“Georgia has been a welcoming home for Danimer since the company’s inception, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue growing our roots in the region,” said Stephen Croskrey, CEO of Danimer Scientific. “With access to the state’s robust logistics infrastructure and top-notch talent coming from local universities, we are in a strong position to make our vision of replacing traditional plastic with 100% renewable and biodegradable alternatives a reality. We could not be more pleased with the growing commitments to sustainable solutions by multinational companies, which has allowed us to double the planned size of this new facility.”
Danimer expects to construct an additional 2,000,000-square-foot facility near their current 25-acre campus, located at 140 Industrial Boulevard in Bainbridge. The company will hire for technical positions and careers in production, maintenance, and management. Individuals interested in opportunities with Danimer are encouraged to visit danimerscientific.com for additional information.
“Reducing the environmental impacts of plastic waste is one of the most critical issues facing the world today, so we are proud to welcome home a project that will play a key role in solving it,” said Rick McCaskill, executive director of the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County. “We look forward to supporting Danimer Scientific in bringing this innovative technology from Decatur County to the rest of the world.”
“Danimer Scientific would not be what it is today without the support we have received from the Bainbridge community over the years,” said Michael Smith, COO at Danimer Scientific. “In particular, we’d like to thank the Development Authority of Decatur County and the State of Georgia for their assistance in making this process smooth and efficient as we prepare plans for the new facility.”
Senior Project Manager Tina Herring represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce division on this competitive project in partnership with the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County, Southern Regional Technical College, Georgia Quick Start, and Georgia Power.
“We are delighted to see an innovative company like Danimer continue to grow and thrive from their home in southwest Georgia, and I thank our economic development partners for their continued support of our existing industries,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Georgia companies like Danimer continue to lead the way toward a green manufacturing future, and we are thrilled to be their partner as they push sustainable solutions forward.”
Danimer Scientific is a pioneer in creating more sustainable, more natural ways to make plastic products. For more than a decade, the company’s renewable and sustainable biopolymers have helped create plastic products that are biodegradable and compostable. They return to nature instead of polluting the environment. Danimer Scientific’s technology can be found in a vast array of plastic end products that people use every day. Applications for Danimer Scientific’s biopolymers include additives, aqueous coatings, fibers, filaments, films, hot-melt adhesives, and injection-molded articles, among others. The company now holds more than 150 granted patents and pending patent applications in more than 20 countries for a range of manufacturing processes and biopolymer formulations.
PORTLAND, Ore. — March 31, 2021 — Columbia Sportswear Co., an innovator in active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, today announced the impending retirement of Doug Morse, senior vice president, Emerging Brands, in the summer of 2021, and the hiring of Craig Zanon to fill the vacancy created by Morse’s retirement.
“Craig brings a wealth of experience that will help us continue the growth trajectory of SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna,” said Tim Boyle, CEO, president and chairman of the board. “He will build on the brand-led, consumer focused strategy that we have been pursuing for the last several years.”
Prior to joining Columbia, Zanon spent more than twenty years with Nike, where most recently, he served as vice president and general manager of Global Basketball. During his time at Nike, he also served as vice president for U.S. Footwear and general manager for the Americas.
Morse has held many positions within Columbia Sportswear Co., beginning as a temp in the Consumer Department in November of 1994. After several successful roles in Operations, he served for five years as general manager in Canada and one year as the interim GM in Europe, before assuming the role of vice president/chief business development officer and general manager of LAAP Distributors in 2016. Morse took on the additional role of managing the Emerging Brand portfolio and the Asia Subsidiaries in 2017 before focusing on the Emerging Brands in 2020.
“Doug has been a key part of our growth strategy, helping guide business development and acquisitions for the past seven years,” said Boyle. “He has been a critical part of our Senior Leadership Team, and his business acumen and commitment to excellence will be missed.”
Zanon will be joining the company on April 5th to ensure an effective transition to the role of senior vice president, Emerging Brands upon Morse’s retirement.
The role of senior vice president, Emerging Brands will continue to report to Tim Boyle following the transition.
“I’m excited to join Columbia Sportswear Company and its portfolio of brands,” said Zanon. “After a year like 2020, it will be a welcome challenge to help drive growth at SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna. I look forward to nurturing the unique aspects of each of these iconic brands to help them reach their potential.”
