(Londonderry, New Hampshire) – Renowned Danish shoemaker ECCO announces the appointment of Stefan Guest and Thomas Maymann to the key positions of Lead Footwear Designer and Technical Product Manager, respectively, within its global Golf Division.
In these new positions, Guest and Maymann will work closely with other senior team members, including Michael Waack, ECCO’s Head of Global Golf, at company headquarters in Tønder, Denmark. They will be tasked with continuing to expand the horizons of technology, design, comfort and quality for the brand’s luxury market leading golf footwear.
Responsible for the design and development for the golf collection, from concept through finished product, Guest will focus on striking a balance between emerging market trends and creating a clear and consistent design language that is unique and recognizable throughout each ECCO Golf collection. Most recently, the 27-year-old Englishman who holds a Masters in Design from CoventryUniversity spent two years as Footwear Designer/Developer for ECCO’s Performance Shoe Division. He also previously served as Product/Concept Designer at LEGO Group.
In his new position, Maymann will ensure continued technical innovation that maintains and advances the brand’s well-known comfort, quality and performance characteristics. The 38-year-old native of Denmark began his career with ECCO in 1997 as Leather Inspector and most recently served for five years as Golf Division Product Manager.
“The experience, creativity and passion for the brand that Stefan and Thomas share make them a tremendous asset to our golf team,” says Andreas Wortmann, Executive Vice President, Branding and Products. “Their desire to push the envelope in all aspects of design and technical innovation is in line with our mission to produce the highest quality golf shoes for the luxury market.”
ECCO is preferred by international Tour stars Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Thomas Bjorn, Thongchai Jaidee, John Bickerton, Steven Jeppesen, Juli Inkster, Carin Koch, Pat Hurst, Sophie Gustafson, Laura Davies, Meena Lee, Candie Kung, Linda Wessberg, Wendy Ward and others.
ECCO’s Spring/Summer 2008 golf collection features unequaled comfort, style and performance in several new designs, including the distinctive C-Force Hydromax for men – the first-ever golf shoe to incorporate a Carbon Force Plate to provide unequaled lightness, flexibility, strength and durability. For women, the new ACE series offers a unique system of interlocking Truss Support Elements that creates the most advanced swing platform in the women’s game.
Distinguished by advanced technologies alongside an unmatched combination of out-of-the-box comfort, high-grade leathers and attention to detail, each shoe in the 2008 collection passes through more than 225 sets of highly-skilled hands during a production process exclusively executed at ECCO-owned factories. This labor-intensive manufacturing guarantees the brand’s golf shoes help players excel under the most demanding conditions.
All ECCO designs blend a network of built-in technologies to create the ideal platform for the perfect swing. Principal among these is a direct-injected, PU-constructed midsole/outsole. Made from a process unique to ECCO in the golf industry, this:
* Creates a one-piece shoe construction
* Ensures unrivaled durability, flexibility, lightness and weather resistance
* Provides a superior level of cushioning and comfort that does not break down over time, unlike commonly-used materials such as air, rubber and EVA foam
Additional performance features of the Spring/Summer 2008 golf collection include:
* Ultra-soft, high-grade leathers with hydrophobic treatments for superb weather-resistance
* Internal stabilizer to reduce torque and create ideal swing stability
* Double-layer insole with cushion that absorbs heel force to reduce stress on the knees, hips and back
* Internal Air-Circulation System to maintain a fresh, dry and cool foot environment
* Dynamic Energy Return System that provides a trampoline effect during foot-strike and follow-through to reduce fatigue and restore energy with each step
* Green-friendly outsole designs featuring molded traction bars combined with Stinger cleats from Champ and the Q-Lok insert system to provide ideal traction and grip
About ECCO
The only major shoe manufacturer to own and manage the entire value chain from cow to consumer, ECCO is a global leader in city, casual and sport shoes for men, women and children. In 2006, the Danish company sold more than 14.8 million pairs, achieving net revenues of 4.5 billion DKK (approximately 645 million euros).
Founded in 1963 by Karl Toosbuy, ECCO has nearly 13,000 employees, direct subsidiaries in Europe, the Far East and North America, and partners worldwide. ECCO shoes are sold in more than 3,000 shops globally, including 551 mono-brand (ECCO exclusive) stores.
Following the rules of good craftsmanship to deliver genuine freedom of movement and comfort to consumers, ECCO’s aim has never been to be the biggest, but always to be the best.
ECCO USA is based in Londonderry, New Hampshire. For more information: visit www.eccousa.com, 800.886.3226
Contact:
Emilia Stefanczyk
Buffalo Communications
703. 891.3391
emilia@billycaspergolf.com
