Black Diamond Equipment named Olav Neitzer as its new brand and sales director in Europe, where it has changed its management structure in a bid to accelerate the process of bringing its innovations in climbing, skiing and mountain sports equipment to market faster.
“Black Diamond is constantly innovating not only in the products we build but also within our own organization,” explains Ryan Gellert brand president for Black Diamond. “The new infrastructure encourages global communications between Black Diamond North America and Europe as trends and innovation happen in real time and are not constrained by geography. Thus, our new functional-centric model enables direct collaboration while always keeping the user in the center.”
On June 1st 2014, Olav Nietzer will oversee the brand from his position as Black Diamond sales and brand director Europe. Nietzer joined Black Diamond in January 2013 after serving as director of European sales for Burton, Red and Anon. Prior to that, he held various positions at Johnson & Johnson, UBS and Credit Suisse.
Nietzer takes over this role, as Christian Jaeggi steps down from his role as brand leader and managing director for Black Diamond AG. Jaeggi established Black Diamond Europe 18 years ago as a one-man operation in Basel Switzerland. Today Black Diamond Europe employs more than 50 people and operates across Europe. Jaeggi will officially step down on May, 31. He will remain active in supporting the transition until December 31 and be involved with future projects.
“Christian combines a true passion and intimate knowledge of the sports we serve and the business acumen and intelligence that has allowed Black Diamond to succeed,” explains Peter Metcalf CEO and president. “His tenure as both brand leader and managing director helped guide BD with a steady hand and boldness to constantly embrace change. This planned move is part of a steady strategic organizational shift from being run on a regional-centric model to that of a global and functional-centric model.”
Working with Nietzer will be a management team constructed by Jaeggi including: Thomas Hodel, European category director hardgoods, who rejoined Black Diamond in January 2013 having previously worked for the company from 2002 - 2011; Sven Mostoegl, European category director apparel, who joined Black Diamond in July 2012 from The North Face; David Ledouble, apparel sales manager Europe who joined BD in 2005; and Stephan Hagenbusch, director of European marketing, who joined the group in January 2014 from Amer Sports, where he served as marketing manager Germany & central Europe.
In North America, Niclas Bornling has been named vice president of marketing. Bornling joins Black Diamond after 10 years in Annecy France working for Salomon with his most recent role as brand director. Prior to that Bornling led marketing for Salomon in Sweden and the Nordic countries for five years.
