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Boulder, CO - January 26, 2009
Spyder's EVP of Global Sales, Cees de Witte, has accepted the position of President Spyder-Europe in addition to his EVP role. He will relocate to Switzerland to lead the Spyder global sales force and subsidiary brand Cloudveil's sales outside of North America. The move is effective April, 2009.
Prior to 2007, de Witte oversaw the brand's European, Asian, and Pacific Rim sales and operations from the Baar, Switzerland office, and moved to Spyder's Boulder, Colorado headquarters that year to head the worldwide sales efforts. The new role geographically positions de Witte in a strategic location to focus on current and future opportunities for international growth. Almost half of Spyder's business takes place outside of North America.
"It was necessary to fill the position of president of Spyder Europe with someone who has a history of success in international sales and management," said Spyder CEO and president Jake Jacobs. "Cees was the driving force of our international business from 2002 to 2007, when he was running our office in Baar. He's the natural and best choice to go back and assume the roll of President of Spyder-Europe," he said.
Jacobs commented on the economy as driving the timing of de Witte's promotion. "We are living in uncertain times amid a global economic slowdown," he said. "It's in times like these that the markets turn to the leaders. Spyder is the global leader in skiwear, and we see opportunity to come out of these hard times stronger than ever. To do so we need to refocus on the core of our business. Having a strong leader in that location is key."
de Witte will continue to direct and support North America's sales force. The company set up its management structure to be successful and focus on the core business strategy. "The North American team is experienced, talented, and is driving the business forward," de Witte said. "We have full confidence our team will continue to manage US and Canadian sales successfully while I am based in Europe."
Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary year, Spyder revolutionized ski apparel in 1978 with a padded slalom sweater designed "for racing, by racers." Renown for integration of high-tech fabrication, function and fashion, Spyder is a worldwide leader of four season, mountain-based apparel and related accessories, and is the choice of the US Alpine and Canadian Alpine World Cup Ski Teams. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Spyder is distributed in over 50 countries worldwide.
In 2008 Spyder acquired Cloudveil Mountain Works, credited as starting the modern day soft shell revolution. Cloudveil draws inspiration from its home base of Jackson, Wyoming, building innovative and functional apparel for the outdoor, snow sports, fly fishing and casual apparel markets. For more information, visit www.spyder.com and www.cloudveil.com
Spyder's EVP of Global Sales, Cees de Witte, has accepted the position of President Spyder-Europe in addition to his EVP role. He will relocate to Switzerland to lead the Spyder global sales force and subsidiary brand Cloudveil's sales outside of North America. The move is effective April, 2009.
Prior to 2007, de Witte oversaw the brand's European, Asian, and Pacific Rim sales and operations from the Baar, Switzerland office, and moved to Spyder's Boulder, Colorado headquarters that year to head the worldwide sales efforts. The new role geographically positions de Witte in a strategic location to focus on current and future opportunities for international growth. Almost half of Spyder's business takes place outside of North America.
"It was necessary to fill the position of president of Spyder Europe with someone who has a history of success in international sales and management," said Spyder CEO and president Jake Jacobs. "Cees was the driving force of our international business from 2002 to 2007, when he was running our office in Baar. He's the natural and best choice to go back and assume the roll of President of Spyder-Europe," he said.
Jacobs commented on the economy as driving the timing of de Witte's promotion. "We are living in uncertain times amid a global economic slowdown," he said. "It's in times like these that the markets turn to the leaders. Spyder is the global leader in skiwear, and we see opportunity to come out of these hard times stronger than ever. To do so we need to refocus on the core of our business. Having a strong leader in that location is key."
de Witte will continue to direct and support North America's sales force. The company set up its management structure to be successful and focus on the core business strategy. "The North American team is experienced, talented, and is driving the business forward," de Witte said. "We have full confidence our team will continue to manage US and Canadian sales successfully while I am based in Europe."
Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary year, Spyder revolutionized ski apparel in 1978 with a padded slalom sweater designed "for racing, by racers." Renown for integration of high-tech fabrication, function and fashion, Spyder is a worldwide leader of four season, mountain-based apparel and related accessories, and is the choice of the US Alpine and Canadian Alpine World Cup Ski Teams. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Spyder is distributed in over 50 countries worldwide.
In 2008 Spyder acquired Cloudveil Mountain Works, credited as starting the modern day soft shell revolution. Cloudveil draws inspiration from its home base of Jackson, Wyoming, building innovative and functional apparel for the outdoor, snow sports, fly fishing and casual apparel markets. For more information, visit www.spyder.com and www.cloudveil.com
