Karl-Heinz Maurer, the managing director of Salewa Germany for 19 years who created his own consultancy firm in 2009, no longer cooperates with his partner HFT-Consulting, a similar company that puts its focus on the apparel and shoe business. Maurer says that synergies were not sufficient, but he emphasizes that there will be no difference for his customers in the operating relationship. The industry veteran has a couple of top brands as his customers; many of them are EOG members.