TEFRON POSTPONES AUCTION: Tefron Ltd. postponed its public auction in Israel Thursday relating to the company’s planned underwritten public offering following news of the massive stroke suffered Wednesday by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Tefron, a $183 million Israeli-based manufacturer of seamless intimate apparel, swimwear and activewear, said in a statement the decision was made “due to the uncertainty in the Israeli public market as a result of the health condition” of Sharon. The company hasn’t set a new date for the public auction, but expects it will be in the near future. Tefron produces private label and branded apparel for Victoria’s Secret, Nike, Reebok, Gap, Banana Republic and Target. Asaf Alperovitz, chief financial officer of Tefron, couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
TWO NEW KENNETH COLE HIRES: Richard S. Olicker has been named president of the wholesale division and executive vice president of Kenneth Cole Productions. He succeeds Susan Hudson, who held the post of senior vice president of wholesale. For the past five years, Olicker has been president of Steve Madden Ltd., where he was responsible for seven operating wholesale footwear divisions. He also oversaw the operation of the retail, licensing, Internet and international divisions. Earlier, he cofounded Aerogroup International Inc. (Aerosoles), the footwear import and marketing firm. Henrik Madsen has joined as senior vice president and general manager of international operations. He succeeds Ellen Rodriguez, who was previously senior vice president of international and business development. Most recently, Madsen was president and chief executive officer of Kasper Europe, a subsidiary of the Jones Apparel Group, prior to which he was development director of international at French Connection Group Ltd.