Fiskars Corporation Stock Exchange release December 11, 2013 at 10.30 EET
Fiskars will strengthen its sales organization for Asia-Pacific to accelerate growth in the region. As of January 1, 2014, a new Asia-Pacific sales region will assume responsibility for promoting Fiskars’ brand portfolio in these rapidly expanding markets which are of an increasing strategic importance. Fiskars sees multiple growth opportunities for its portfolio of premium brands in the region.
“Asia is the fastest-growing market in the homeware categories, and the performance of the Iittala and Royal Copenhagen brands has proven that there is strong demand for Scandinavian design in the equally rapidly expanding premium segment. With a well-established specialist retail channel, Asia is also an attractive market for outdoor products. A strong local setup will provide Fiskars with the agility that is needed in these rapidly evolving markets, where adaptation to local market needs is crucial for success. After an initial investment period, we expect to see considerable growth in this region,” says Kari Kauniskangas, Fiskars’ President and CEO.
The Asia-Pacific sales region will contain Fiskars’ sales units in Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. In addition, the new sales region will be responsible for all distributor-based sales in the region. As President of the new sales region and a member of the Group’s Executive Team, Fiskars has appointed Matteo Gaeta, MBA, who will be based in Shanghai, China. He comes to Fiskars with a solid experience in management, sales, and marketing of branded consumer goods in Asia; most recently as Chief Operating Officer and head of the Asia business unit for Safilo Far East in Hong Kong.
Following the establishment of the Asia-Pacific sales region, Fiskars’ EMEA segment will be renamed “Europe and Asia-Pacific” and it will consist of three sales regions: North, Central, and Asia-Pacific. Since 2012, Fiskars has had a matrix organization in Europe with strong sales regions responsible for promoting the full offering in their respective markets and business areas in charge of creating and maintaining an actively managed product and category portfolio. Sales region North consists of the Nordic countries and Russia, as well as Fiskars’ export sales. The Central sales region is responsible for sales and general management in the key Central European markets.
FISKARS CORPORATION
Kari Kauniskangas President and CEO
Further information: Chief Strategy Officer Max Alfthan, tel. +358 204 39 5262
Fiskars is a leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden, and outdoors. The group has a strong portfolio of respected international brands, including Fiskars, Iittala, and Gerber. Founded in 1649 and listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Fiskars is Finland's oldest company. Fiskars recorded net sales of EUR 748 million in 2012, and employs some 4,100 people in over 20 countries. www.fiskarsgroup.com.
