K-Swiss Names New Global Leadership Team Under E.Land

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of the completion of the April 30^th merger between E.Land World Limited (E.Land) and K-Swiss Inc., owner of the K-Swiss and Palladium brands, E.Land has named a new global executive team to oversee the newly formed K-Swiss Inc. entity. Effective immediately, the K-Swiss Inc. global executive team will be led by Truman Kim, Chairman; Larry Remington, President and CEO; Barney Waters, CMO; and Wim Tuijl, Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Ed Flora will remain in his position as the incumbent COO.

Additional executive appointments and key hires will be named in the weeks and months to follow.

In his new appointment as President and CEO, Larry Remington will assume responsibility for the global operations of K-Swiss Inc. including the K-Swiss and Palladium businesses. Remington succeeds Steven Nichols, former K-Swiss CEO since 1987, and David Nichols, former president since 2012. As a 30-year industry veteran with a pedigree including executive positions at Foot Locker and Skechers, Remington most recently served as president of the Palladium brand under K-Swiss Inc. He contributed to the brand's explosive growth in tandem with newly appointed CMO, Waters - tripling the brand's revenue since its re-launch in mid 2009.

"We believe that with its authentic heritage and global brand equity, K-Swiss can once again be one of the world's leading athletic brands," said Remington, president and CEO of K-Swiss Inc. "Palladium has great momentum and we want to continue to fuel this growth. In addition, we will look for opportunities to grow the brand portfolio under the group umbrella." 

E.Land has built an exceptional reputation as one of the largest and most successful global brand conglomerates, specializing in fashion and retail distribution. With 60 affiliated entities, 200 brands and 10,000 retail stores worldwide, E.Land will combine capabilities and market presence with the entity currently called K-Swiss Inc. to strengthen and align global positioning for the K-Swiss brand, further expand opportunities for the growing Palladium brand and seek new opportunities to expand its portfolio of sports and lifestyle brands.

"This merger has created a wealth of opportunity for our organization," added Remington. "We now have the right team in place to realize our full potential."

About K-Swiss Inc.

The K-Swiss Inc., and its affiliate Palladium brand, are registered trademarks of E. Land World Limited. Founded more than forty years ago in Van Nuys, California, K-Swiss introduced the first all leather tennis shoe, the K-Swiss "Classic" in 1966.  Since its inception, K-Swiss aims to be the most inspiring and innovative sports brand in the market offering performance product for tennis, running, training and triathlon categories. Palladium was originally founded in 1920 as a manufacturer of aircraft tires for the aviation industry. In 1947, after the end of WWII saw demand for tires dry up, Palladium put their canvas and rubber expertise to use by making boots that were as hard wearing as their tires. Palladium soon became outfitters of the legendary French Foreign Legion with their classic canvas Pampa boot. For further information please visit www.kswiss.com and www.palladiumboots.com.

About E.Land Group

Established in 1980 in Korea, E.Land has grown to become one of the largest South Korean conglomerates, primarily specializing in fashion and retail distribution.  E.Land is Korea's first and largest integrated fashion and retail company, with operations spanning nine different countries across three continents, including Korea, China, India, the United States and Italy.  Comprised of over 60 affiliated entities, the Company offers close to 200 brands and operates more than 10,000 stores worldwide, recording approximately US$ 8 billion of revenues in 2012.  In addition to K-Swiss, E.Land's newer businesses include restaurants, construction and leisure. The Company is actively involved in community service both locally and worldwide through its own E.Land Foundation, being one of the most civically active corporations in Korea, India, Vietnam and China.

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SOURCE K-Swiss Inc.