New President Appointed to Salomon North America

4/6/99
by John Stouffer

PORTLAND, Ore.--April 6, 1999--adidas America announced today the appointment of Tom Wright to the position of president of Salomon North America.

He replaces former President Steve Bagby.

As a principle member of the senior management team for adidas America, adidas Canada and Salomon North America, Wright has most recently served as president of adidas Canada since 1989. Prior to that he worked as director of marketing and later president of Spalding Canada. His experience also includes marketing for the Canada Packers.

Wright earned his masters of business administration degree from York University and his bachelor of physical and health education degree from the University of Toronto. An active sports participant, Wright's affiliations include the Canadian Sporting Goods Association, The Canadian Sports Industry Credit Association and the Canadian Golf Industry Association.

His personal interests include active community service with the Canadian Special Olympics, The Sports Celebrities Festival for Canadian Special Olympics, The Ontario Special Olympics and the Canadian Olympic Foundation. He lives in Toronto with his wife and three children.

"I am very pleased to name Tom Wright to this position," said Steve Wynne, president and CEO of adidas America. "There are several key qualities essential for maintaining the integration process between Salomon North America and adidas America. Tom's unique blend of business planning, personnel management, experience, leadership skills and proven track record made him the clear choice."

"I am thrilled to be joining the Salomon team at such an exciting time in the brand's history," said Wright. "We have tremendous momentum in the market, outstanding products and clear positions in both the traditional and emerging categories. We will remain committed to supporting our business partners in the U.S. and in Canada as we continue the process of business integration with adidas. We are confident that this integration will leverage the natural synergies and growth opportunities that can be realized when two great brands join forces in a collaborative way."

According to Wynne, "It is my belief that by having Tom Wright focus on the integration of Salomon North America with adidas America he, together with the talented team already in place, will grow Salomon North America with the same principles and strategies that he has so successfully implemented in the operations of adidas Canada. This appointment will not disrupt nor delay the current integration process that is moving the Salomon North America headquarters to Portland or our commitment that focuses on retaining the individual brand identities and unique corporate cultures of these great brands."

As noted in the original Salomon integration announcement, the Salomon Service Center will be relocated to the Denver area to service warranty, repair and competition needs. Mavis U.S.A., also located in Georgetown, Massachusetts, will not be part of this relocation. The company is currently evaluating a relocation to another area of the United States.

Salomon is one of the portfolio of sports brands of adidas-Salomon AG, the No. 2 sporting goods manufacturer in the world. Salomon design, development and manufacturing is located in Annecy, France, and Boulder, Colo. Salomon products include inline skates; cross country ski boots and bindings; alpine skis, boots and bindings; snowboards, snowboard boots and bindings; SnowBlades(TM), and technical mountaineering, backpacking and outdoor footwear. The adidas-Salomon brand portfolio also includes adidas footwear and apparel, TAYLOR MADE golf clubs and accessories, MAVIC wheels and bicycle rims, and BONFIRE SNOWBOARDING apparel and accessories.

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