FJÄLLRÄVEN BOLSTERS GLOBAL MANAGEMENT TEAM
Swedish heritage outdoor brand Fjällräven International AB has announced changes in management in order to strengthen the company’s global business.
John Are Lindstad, formerly International Sales Manager, is leaving the company in mid-March 2017 at his own request. He has been with Fjällräven since 2008 and held a number of positions, including: International Sales and Export Manager, Head of B2C, Member of the Executive Board and Deputy CEO to Martin Axelhed.
“As International Sales Manager for Fjällräven, John Are Lindstad has played a decisive role in positioning the brand in these markets. His decision to leave the company means that we have an important gap to fill,” said Axelhed. “I would like to thank John for his dedication and commitment and wish him all the best for the future.”
To continue as a successful, international brand and fill these vacant positions, Fjällräven is drawing on existing expertise from within the company and its respective country markets. With Thomas Gröger and Nathan Dopp, two experienced country managers from Fjällräven’s biggest markets are taking on these responsibilities and further strengthening the company’s international orientation.
Gröger has been with Fjällräven since January 2011 and is responsible for the company’s strongest market as Country Manager of Germany. He will continue in this position with support from the German sales team. Gröger is taking on the position of International Sales Manager and Deputy CEO to Martin Axelhed in addition to his other responsibilities.
Dopp has been with the company since October 2012. As president for Fjällräven in North America, he is responsible for the Swedish brand’s second biggest market. Together, Dopp and Gröger will act as deputies for Martin Axelhed and become members of the Executive Board.
“Thomas Gröger’s long-standing experience as Country Manager Germany and extensive understanding of market requirements make him the ideal choice to take on new duties as International Sales Manager and my deputy,” continued Axelhed. “And with Nathan Dopp as a further deputy, we are ensuring that the expertise from our second-largest and very fast-growing market, North America, continues to flow into our strategic development. I’m delighted about these new additions to the executive team and wish them both every success with their new responsibilities.”
These changes at management level will give the country markets Germany and North America greater say in the strategic orientation of the brand. “I am convinced that all the company’s country markets will benefit from the know-how of such an established market as Germany, which has consistently grown over the years, as well as the experiences gained from a relatively new and accelerating market, like North America,” added Axelhed.
