VF Corp. is reacting to a slowdown in the sales of The North Face and Timberland in North America by giving more responsibilities to two European managers, considering that both brands have been performing better in Europe lately.
Arne Arens, the former executive of Nike Europe who had run TNF's operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) since 2012, was made vice-president and general manager for the brand's Americas region last March, taking the place of Todd Spaletto. VF has now given him the additional title of global brand president for its outdoor brand.
Earlier this month, VF brought over Federico Benzi, the former chief financial officer of Timberland EMEA, to serve in the same function at Timberland North America. He will work with a new vice president and general manager of Timberland North America, Tracy Smith, who served most recently as president of Geox' U.S. operations. She previously spent nearly 20 years with Cole Haan.
Separately, VF has appointed Chris Young as vice president of operations at Timberland. He had previously performed a similar function for VF Sportswear.
