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Asics Unveils Global Restructure
ASICS Corporation has announced that it will restructure its global operations, with new management leaders from around the world aiming to boost its Center of Excellence initiative, as the sporting goods brand aims to accelerate its business growth.
The Center of Excellence Initiative is an ASICS strategy designed to strengthen its global business through the appointment of top talent to lead and manage its global categories from influential regional markets.
Starting from mid-September, the global lifestyle division will be newly established to lead global marketing for lifestyle brands such as Onitsuka Tiger and ASICS Tiger, with Europe designated as the Center of Excellence for this category.
The division will be headed by the newly appointed senior general manager, Torsten Widarzik, who will join ASICS on 15th September 15 from his position as CEO at German fashion label CAMPUS.
Widarzik was previously general manager at Levis Strauss in Germany/Switzerland, and business and brand director of Nike Sportswear at Nike CEMEA.
Strengthening footwear and apparel business is also a key part of the business growth strategy following the appointment of ASICS as gold partner in Japan for Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To further accelerate growth, the global footwear product marketing division will incorporate design and will continue to be led by Gerard Klein, senior general manager, who returned to ASICS in August 2014 after seven years at Converse.
Earlier this year, ASICS also strengthened its global brand marketing division with the appointment of Paul Miles as senior general manager, who joined ASICS in May 2015 from Nissan Motor, where he was vice president of marketing and communications.
Motoi Oyama, CEO of ASICS Corporation, commented: “The restructuring of our global operations and the appointment of top talent as our new leaders shows our commitment to accelerate growth as a global sporting goods company.
“I am confident that the Center of Excellence initiative will enhance organization’s capacity and effectiveness, and lead us into the next stage of growth.”
