NEW YORK — Nike Inc. said Wednesday that it has realigned its management in Europe and the Asia Pacific region.
Eunan McLaughlin has been named vice president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, succeeding Fritz van Paasschen, who is leaving the company. McLaughlin, 46, was most recently vice president of the Asia Pacific region for Nike, and will be succeeded in that post by Roland Wolfram, 44, who had been the company’s vice president of global strategic planning. Succeeding Wolfram is Hans van Alabeek, 38, who is currently vice president of Nike global operations. The appointments are effective immediately.
“These changes…will solidly position us for further growth around the world,” said Nike brand president Charlie Denson in a statement. “Our international business, which has grown 33 percent during the past three years and has accounted for half of our total 2003 fiscal-year revenue, is a critical component to our overall growth.”
The company hasn’t released full-year 2003 financial information, but Nike’s total revenues gained 21 percent to $2.9 billion from $2.4 billion in the nine-month period ended Feb. 29.
McLaughlin joined the Beaverton, Ore., athletic giant in 1998 and has held several executive posts in that time. Under his direction, the Asia-Pacific region has recorded seven consecutive quarters of double-digit revenue growth, Nike said. Wolfram also joined Nike in 1998 as vice president of global strategic planning and became vice president of global operations and technology in 1999. Van Alabeek has been with the company since 1999 and also has held several executive posts.