PARIS — Puma has appointed company veteran Bob Philion president of Puma North America. He succeeds Jay Piccola, who is retiring after almost two decades in the role. Piccola will remain a non-executive director of the board for Puma North America.
A seasoned executive, Philion boasts more than 20 years of experience in various sales, merchandising and general management functions in both the United States and Europe, according to the company. He joined Puma in 2005, and since 2010 has helmed its Cobra Puma Golf business as president and chief executive officer, having steered the brand’s acquisition and integration in the same year. In his new role, he will continue to lead Cobra Puma Golf globally, according to the company.
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“With Bob we have found a leader within the Puma family who understands not just the North American market but also Puma globally,” stated Bjorn Gulden, ceo and chairman of the administrative board at Puma. “I am convinced that Bob is the right person to continue the current momentum for the brand.”
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At the presentation of Puma’s fourth-quarter results on Feb. 9, Gulden said the brand saw a “big pickup” in the U.S. over the last four to six months “coming in from a low base” as the company continues to chart its turnaround.
Total sales at the Herzogenaurach, Germany-based brand rose 9 percent to 958.2 million euros, or $1 billion, in the three months ended Dec. 31, boosted by strong sell-throughs on new product launches like the Fierce, Basket Heart and Ignite Dual styles and the Fenty Puma by Rihanna collection. The sporting goods firm recorded a net loss of 4.6 million euros, or $5 million, versus a loss of 4.3 million euros, or $4.7 million, during the same period a year earlier, impacted by adjustment of tax provisions.
For the full year, net profit jumped 68 percent to 62.4 million euros, or $69.1 million, on sales that increased 7.1 percent, or 10.2 percent on currency-adjusted terms, to 3.63 billion euros, or $4.01 billion, boosted by sales of replica soccer jerseys from the UEFA Euro 2016; the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics, and the robust women’s category.
All dollar rates are calculated at average exchange rates for the period concerned.
In 2017, the company forecasts currency-adjusted net sales will increase at a high-single-digit rate, but operating expenses should continue to rise due to further investments in marketing, updating and expanding retail stores, and IT infrastructure.