USG Brands entrusts Jacques van der Manden with international development

By

Bruno Joly

Published
Jul 16, 2014

USG Brands (Unlimited Sports Group) wants to boost its European business. The Dutch distributor, a footwear giant that owns or holds licenses for 16 brands, has created a head of international development position.

Duties have been conferred to Jacques van der Manden. Manden was previously sales director EMEA at Merrell, Chaco and Patagonia footwear, as well as at Wolverine. Before being hired on at Wolverine in 2006, he was in charge of O'Neill Footwear.

His is not the only appointment, however. USG Brands (Fila, Ellesse, Lotto, Le Coq Sportif, Tenson, Pantofola D'Oro...) has also created country manager positions for Italy and Scandinavia. Michele Zambonin will head up management for the Italian market. He has previously worked for Levi's footwear.

Scandinavian countries will now be the responsibility of Bo Castmo, formerly at Spirit and Reebok.

Both managers will join Patrick Buffeteau, who is in charge of France and Spain, Dimitri van Leuven, in charge Benelux, and finally Oliver Hoffarth (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).