Reebok
Controlling positions
Information for candidates
Copyright AB Executive Search for Reebok Controlling Positions
9-3-2016
1/6
Reebok, introduction
This information is meant to inform candidates who are interested in de vacancies of
European (Business) Controller and Pan European Controller, about:



Reebok,
The culture of Reebok
The profiles.
In preparation of this document we spoke to the CFO of Reebok.
For more information about the planning of the interviews please contact Alette
Boddendijk.
Drs. Alette Boddendijk
06-22 80 51 39
Alette.Boddendijk@AB-executivesearch.com
Sources


www.adidas-group.com
job descriptions
Copyright AB Executive Search for Reebok Controlling Positions
9-3-2016
2/6
Reebok, the company
Reebok is a sports brand of Shoes and Lifestyle products. The companies’ products are
for sale all over the world, from Russia to Africa. Reebok is active in 24 markets. As a
consequence of the strategic alignment to the adidas Group, it’s goal is:
“To be the global leader in the sporting goods industry: with brands built on a passion for sports,
and a sporting lifestyle”
History
Reebok's United Kingdom-based ancestor company was founded for one of the best
reasons possible: athletes wanted to run faster. So, in the 1890s, Joseph William Foster
made some of the first known running shoes with spikes. By 1895, he was in the
business of making shoes by hand for top runners.
In 1958 two of the founder's grandsons started a companion company that came to
be known as Reebok, named for an African gazelle.
In 1979 Paul Fireman, a partner in an outdoor sporting goods distributorship, spotted
Reebok shoes at an international trade show. He negotiated for the North American
distribution license and introduced three running shoes in the U.S. that year. By 1981
Reebok's sales exceeded $1.5 million, but a dramatic move was planned for the next
year. In 1982 Reebok introduced the first athletic shoe designed especially for women;
a shoe for a hot new fitness exercise called aerobic dance. The shoe was called the
Freestyle™, and with it Reebok anticipated and encouraged three major trends that
transformed the athletic footwear industry: the aerobic exercise movement, the influx
of women into sports and exercise and the acceptance of well-designed athletic
footwear by adults for street and casual wear.
Explosive growth followed, which Reebok fuelled with product extensions - new
categories in which it also became the leader. The Freestyle is now a "Classic" and is
Reebok's best selling athletic shoe of all times.
In the midst of surging sales in 1985 Reebok completed its initial public offering (stock
symbol is NYSE: RBK). In the late 1980s Reebok began an aggressive expansion into
overseas markets. Its products are now available in more than 170 countries and are
sold through a network of independent and Reebok-owned distributors.
Creating innovative products that generate excitement in the marketplace has been a
central corporate strategy ever since Reebok introduced the Freestyle shoe. In the late
1980s a particular fertile period began with The Pump® technology and still continues.
In 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia, a fitness professional named Gin Miller suffered a knee
injury and began stepping in an effort to rehabilitate her knee. This was the
beginning of step training - soon to become Step Reebok®. Step Reebok was
Copyright AB Executive Search for Reebok Controlling Positions
9-3-2016
3/6
successful in breathing new life into health clubs around the country. In its first ten
years, Step Reebok became an international fitness phenomenon as millions of people
in 16 countries used the program to stay in shape.
In 1992 Reebok began a transition from a company identified principally with fitness
and exercise to one equally involved in sports. It created a host of new footwear and
products for football, baseball, soccer, track and field and other sports.
In the late 1990s, Reebok made a strategic commitment to align its brand with a
select few of the worlds most talented, exciting and cutting-edge athletes. For several
years now, the company has focused on those athletes who represent the top echelon
of sports and fitness, among them Allen Iverson and Venus Williams.
In 2000 Reebok again revolutionized how people exercise and train with its global
introduction of Reebok Core Training and the Reebok Core Board.
From 2000 and up
In December 2000, Reebok and the US National Football League announced the
formation of an exclusive partnership that serves as a foundation of the NFL's
restructured consumer products business.
In August 2001, Reebok formed a 10-year strategic partnership with the US National
Basketball Association under which Reebok will design, manufacture, sell and market
licensed merchandise for the NBA, the Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA) and the National Basketball Development League (NBDL).
In February 2002 Reebok and the Indy Racing League (IRL) formed a multi-year
partnership naming Reebok the official outfitter of the IRL.
In February 2002 Reebok launched Rbk - a collection of street-inspired footwear and
apparel hook-ups designed for the young man and woman who demand and expect
the style of their gear to reflect the attitude of their lives - cool and edgy, authentic
and inspirational. As Rbk is inspired by today's street fashion, its marketing needed to
be culturally relevant as well.
Reebok is part of the Adidas Group
adidas-Salomon AG acquires Reebok
The transaction, which closed on January 31, 2006 marks a new chapter in the history
of the Reebok Brand. The acquisition brings together two of the most respected and
well-known brands in the worldwide sporting goods industry under one new
organization - the adidas Group. Both brands will benefit from a more competitive
Copyright AB Executive Search for Reebok Controlling Positions
9-3-2016
4/6
worldwide platform, well-defined and complementary brand identities, a wider range
of products, and a stronger presence across teams, athletes, events and leagues.
Reebok International is a proud member of the adidas Group. We work as a team,
we play as a team and we constantly strive to achieve the highest performance in
all disciplines. Join our highly trained and motivated team and play in the
Champions League of the sporting goods industry.
Reebok is looking for people who whish to contribute to:
“To be the global leader in the sporting goods industry: with brands built on a passion for sports,
and a sporting lifestyle”
adidas Group first quarter 2007 results
Group sales grow 9% on a currency-neutral basis
1. First positive currency-neutral Reebok backlogs since consolidation within the
Group (+3%)
2. adidas currency-neutral backlogs increase 7% with growth in all regions
3. Group gross margin increases 1.8 percentage points to 46.8%
4. Net income attributable to shareholders declines 11% in line with expectations
5. 2007 outlook reconfirmed, net income growth expected to approach 15%
First quarter adidas Group currency-neutral sales grow 9%
During the first quarter of 2007, Group sales increased 9% on a currency-neutral basis,
mainly driven by sales growth in the adidas segment and the inclusion of an
additional month in the Reebok segment versus the prior year. Currency-neutral sales
grew in all regions except North America, where the development was stable. In €
terms, revenues grew 3% to € 2.538 billion from € 2.459 billion in 2006. On a like-forlike basis, including Reebok’s revenues for the full three-month periods and excluding
the effect from the disposal of the Greg Norman Collection (GNC) wholesale business,
sales increased 4% in currency-neutral terms.
“Our Group has gotten off to a strong start in 2007,” commented adidas AG Chairman
and CEO Herbert Hainer. “The Reebok integration is beginning to pay off as we realize
the first revenue and cost synergies. adidas and TaylorMade-adidas Golf impressed
with strong product launches.”
Culture
The culture is best described by ambitious, passionate, working together effectively,
globally oriented and highly motivated.
Copyright AB Executive Search for Reebok Controlling Positions
9-3-2016
5/6
Controllers Positions, the profiles
For more information on the job descriptions we ask you to reed the power Point
Presentation which is included.
You come from a FMCG company, or the fashion industry. You are highly educated in
accountancy or controlling and you have an international background.
A passion for sports or life style products is the reason you want to join Reebok.
Practical Information
This opportunity asks for quick interviewing and decsionmaking. Reebok wants it’s
Headquarters to be up and running coming August.
Please send your resume to Alette.Boddendijk@AB-executivesearch.nl.
You will be invited for an interview on short notice, before the 24th of July.
Copyright AB Executive Search for Reebok Controlling Positions
9-3-2016
6/6