Mexx Worldwide Strengthens Management Team
By Prne, Gaea News NetworkTuesday, July 28, 2009
AMSTERDAM -
- Volker Schmidt, Global Head of Wholesale Development and Regional Sales Vice President Jim Nowak, Global Head of Product Knut Burgdorf, Vice President, Marketing
Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE: LIZ) continues to build a world class management team for its Mexx Worldwide business, making three key executive team hires.
Volker Schmidt Named Global Head of Wholesale Development and Vice President Region 2
Volker Schmidt will join Mexx 1st November 2009 as Global Head of Wholesale Development and Regional Sales Vice President for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Nordic countries. In this role he will be responsible for Mexx’s global wholesale business development, including directing Mexx’s partnership strategy and processes. He will also join Messrs Yan Aerts and Shawn Cox as one of the three Mexx Regional Sales Vice Presidents, reporting directly to Thomas Grote, incoming Chief Executive Officer.
Former Senior Vice President and Head of Partnership Sales for ESPRIT, Mr. Schmidt has a tremendous track record of growing market share for ESPRIT, especially within Germany, a key market for Mexx. He served at ESPRIT for more than 16 years and grew sales exponentially in that period. Prior to ESPRIT Mr. Schmidt held a variety of sales positions, including at the popular European fashion company, In-Wear and Mustang Jeans Group.
Jim Nowak Appointed Global Head of Product
Effective 1st November, Jim Nowak will join Mexx as Global Head of Product where he will be responsible for all Mexx product divisions reporting directly to Thomas Grote. In this role, Jim will manage full execution of all product collections, including accountability for the line architecture, pricing structure, assortment planning and product design.
Prior to joining Mexx Mr. Nowak was Senior Vice President, Head - ESPRIT Casual where he set global strategy for all of the brand’s casual lines. A twenty year veteran of the apparel industry he spent the last nine years working with product at a variety of divisions within ESPRIT including EDC (Esprit de Corp), women and men’s casual and kid’s.
Knut Burgdorf Named Vice President, Marketing
Mr. Burgdorf has been appointed Vice President of Marketing for Mexx Worldwide and will be responsible for all brand Marketing activity, from creative to production. He is a seasoned marketing professional who has tremendous experience in brand building. Prior to joining the Mexx team Mr. Burgdorf worked with TBWA on major global brand accounts and he has recently been working within the cutting edge agency, Parasol Island in Dusseldorf. Knut will report directly to Thomas Grote, effective 1st November 2009.
Bill McComb, Chief Executive Officer of Liz Claiborne Inc. commented on the announcement, “With the addition of Volker, Jim and Knut we continue to round out a world class management team for our Mexx Worldwide business in anticipation of the arrival of Thomas Grote as CEO in October. These executives have extensive experience in product, brand building, vertical and wholesale retailing and marketing within key Mexx markets and among similar consumers to ours at Mexx. Our Mexx associates have made great strides over the past several months to move the brand in the right direction and enhance our product and branding efforts, while evolving the business into a more consumer-focused, merchant-led model. The expertise and insights that these executives bring to the table will build upon that momentum and prove invaluable as we continue the Mexx turnaround and efforts to get the brand back on track.”
About Mexx
Mexx markets an extensive range of fashion apparel and lifestyle accessories for women, men and children. Our contemporary and affordable products can be found in more than 66 countries throughout Europe, Canada, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, check out: www.mexx.com.
About Liz Claiborne Inc.
Liz Claiborne Inc. designs and markets a global portfolio of retail-based premium brands including Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and Mexx. The Company also has a refined group of department store-based brands with strong consumer franchises including the Liz Claiborne and Monet families of brands, Kensie, Kensiegirl, Mac & Jac, and the licensed DKNY Jeans Group. For more information visit www.lizclaiborneinc.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements involving a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of Liz Claiborne Inc (the “Company”). The Company cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward looking information. The Company may change its plans, intentions, belief or expectations at any time and without notice, based upon any change in the Company’s assumptions or otherwise. Forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the implementation of our intended use of the proceeds from the offering and possible adjustments to the conversion rate of the convertible senior notes. While the Company believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: general market conditions, risks associated with the general economic conditions in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world; the Company’s ability to continue to have access on favorable terms to sufficient sources of liquidity necessary to fund ongoing cash requirements, which access may be adversely impacted by a number of factors, including, the level of the Company’s cash flows, which will be impacted by the level of consumer spending and retailer and consumer acceptance of its products and the availability of borrowings under the Company’s amended and extended bank credit agreement; further adverse changes in the Company’s credit ratings, the Company’s ability to comply with the financial and other covenants and requirements included in its amended and restated credit agreement; interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations; risks associated with the appointment of Li & Fung as the Company’s primary global apparel and accessories sourcing agent and the transfer of its sourcing function to Li & Fung; risks associated with the Company’s efforts to reorganize its Mexx Europe operations; and risks associated with the Company’s ability to execute successfully on its long-term plans. Additional risks and factors are identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009, in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” as updated in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 4, 2009 and in Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on June 18, 2009, and the Company’s other periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: Liz Claiborne, Inc.
Media: Dana Stambaugh, +1-212-626-3491, dana_stambaugh at liz.com, US Investors: Robert Vill, +1-201-295-7515, Robert_vill at liz.com, both of Liz Claiborne Inc.
Tags: Amsterdam, Germany, Inc., Liz Claiborne, Netherlands