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 Breaking Headlines

Wilson Golf Names New Management Team, Undergoes Restructuring

DECEMBER 28, 2005 -- Wilson Sporting Goods President Chris Considine announced the new management team of the company’s Golf business.

Considine has named Tim Clarke GM of Wilson Golf and has appointed six other new key management team members.

“Tim has been a very important member of our golf team for the past 10 years, and is well respected both within Wilson , as well as the golf industry as a whole. His understanding of both the U.S. and global golf marketplace will be vitally important, as we move forward,” Considine said. He will replace Angus Moir, who is no longer with the company.

In addition to Clarke, Considine made the following personnel announcements:

* Tom Gruger will continue as the global business director for golf balls and will officially assume responsibilities for all global marketing, public relations and communications for Wilson Golf:

* Mike Boylan , a 30+ year veteran with Wilson , has been appointed global business director for recreational clubs and will be the primary contact for all US-based golf trade activities;

* Jean-Pierre Degembe has been promoted to global business director for pro clubs, along with his role as international liaison for Wilson Golf;

* Michael Markovich, has been promoted from his position as business manager for Wilson retail bats and accessories to director of purchasing and distribution planning for Golf and Racquet Sports;

* Doug Guenther has been promoted to lead the global R&D efforts for all of Wilson;

& Bob Thurman will continue his lead role of the R&D team and has been promoted to global director for R&D Golf.

“ Wilson stands for performance and innovation, from our premiere line to our recreational products, no matter who we are selling to,” commented Clarke. “We are certainly not exiting any channels, however, we’re focusing our commitment to those customers who support our brand. We have also refocused our sales to more effectively service the off-course chains and green grass shops.”

The hirings are part of a Wilson Golf is restructuring its global organization to boost it’s operational efficiency and reduce costs. Wilson Golf is part of Amer Sports Corporation’s subsidiary Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

Amer said besides changes in senior management, the restructuring includes reductions in sales and administration. In the United States, a distribution strategy focusing more closely on leading accounts in all channels will be implemented. Other measures include an increase in Far East sourcing and a gradual downsizing of golf ball factory in Humboldt, Tennessee, USA. An immediate effect of these changes is a worldwide reduction of about 70 staff positions.

The reorganization measures are expected to provide annual operating savings of 9 million euros, with the full impact in 2007. The restructuring costs are estimated to total 4 million euros. Amer Sports’ earnings per share in 2005 are estimated to amount to EUR 0.90-1.00 as previously announced.

Tim Clarke, a golf industry veteran who has been with Wilson for 9 years, has been named General Manager of Wilson Golf. He will replace Mr Angus Moir who is no longer with the company.

"With a focused R&D, sales and marketing approach, especially in the United States, we will concentrate on profitable growth. Wilson stands for performance and innovation, from our premier line to our recreational products," says Clarke. "We’re focusing our commitment on those customers who best support our brand."

The Wilson Golf announcement follows Amer's plans to restructure the recently-acquired Salomon business, which will eliminate 400 jobs.

Amer's sports franchises also include Atomic, Suunto, Precor, Salomon, and Mavic.


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Quick links: One-click access to topics in this article.

Categories
Cost-cutting
Golf
Management
Sporting goods industry

Companies
Wilson Golf
Wilson Sporting Goods Company Limited
Amer Sports Corporation
Suunto Oyj
Precor Inc.

Concepts
Management Team
global business
recreational products
golf industry
stands for performance and innovation

People
Tim Clarke GM
Chris Considine
Angus Moir
Tom Gruger
Mike Boylan





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