IBACH, Switzerland, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Victorinox, the inventor of the original Swiss Army Knife, has appointed Jason Gallen the new President of the Global Fashion Division. Over the past few months, Gallen has been acting as ad interim leader of the division at the Swiss brand. He succeeds Joachim Beer who left the company at the end of last year.
Having worked for Victorinox since 2010 as Senior Vice President of the North American Direct to consumer channels, Gallen will quickly become acquainted with his new role. Prior to joining Victorinox Gallen held positions with Original Penguin, Tommy Hilfiger and Gap Inc. where his merchandising and consumer centric approach played a strong part in developing the business. During his time with the company, he has successfully developed the retail business in North America opening 13 stores, managing three channels of distribution and managed retail development of the brand within our wholesale channels. In this new role, he will continue to work closely with Artistic Director Christopher Raeburn. Together, Raeburn and Gallen will tackle both the development of the seasonal collections and the restructuring distribution.
In order to strengthen positioning in the markets, in addition to its own retail outlets, Victorinox will focus sales on key wholesale partners, boost quality partnerships and invest in strong ones. The goal is to strive for a long-term and strategic partnership with both existing and new key accounts that can integrate, establish and build on the Swiss brand's excellence in the fashion range within their own portfolios. As a result, Victorinox will be discussing a clear framework with these partners in the coming weeks. The expansion of the ranges to include products from the Travelgear and Swiss Army Knife categories will also play a role wherever possible and advisable. But in the future, as well as more clearly defining the fashion profile, the brand as a whole will take center stage.
As part of the strategic development of the fashion division, Tom Hurler will be taking on the role of Sales Director Central Europe as of immediate effect. He has been at Victorinox since 2012 and was previously in charge of the markets in Switzerland, Austria, Southern and Eastern Europe. He will now also be taking on the responsibilities of Jens Wolf who has left the company. Simon Walker will continue as Sales Director for the UK and both will report to Gallen directly.
About Victorinox
Victorinox produces and sells unique, high quality products worldwide, which are of practical use in differing areas of life: Swiss Army Knives, Cutlery, Timepieces, Travel Gear, Fashion and Fragrances. The head office of the company is in Ibach, Schwyz, in the heart of Switzerland. This is where the founder of the company Karl Elsener first set up his cutler's business in 1884 and, a few years later, designed the legendary "Original Swiss Army Knife".
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SOURCE Victorinox
