Icebreaker, the New Zealand company specializing in outdoor merino wool apparel, has hired Dion Taylor as the company's general manager for Europe. In this new position, Taylor will be responsible for the company's multi-channel strategy, including the expansion of digital marketing and the introduction of select retail stores across Europe, in addition to growing the exclusive wholesale network of Icebreaker resellers. He comes to Icebreaker after 27 years with Snow+Rock, the U.K. specialist ski clothing and equipment retailer, where he most recently held the role of chief executive, now filled by Richard Cotter (see previous article). During his time at Snow+Rock, Taylor grew sales revenues to over £70 million (€85.6m-$116.0m). He describes himself as “Kiwi at the core with a European exterior.” Max Hofbauer, who has been leading Icebreaker's European wholesale business, will be leaving the company in June after five years. During that time, Hofbauer increased Icebreaker's revenues by over 300 percent, doubled the size of the Icebreaker team based in Starnberg, Germany, centralized operations and established a central European distribution center. Over the next few months, Hofbauer will be working alongside Taylor to introduce him to key customers and ensure a smooth transition, for continued growth on the continent. Icebreaker is sold in more than 3,000 stores in 44 countries worldwide.

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