Columbia Sportswear has appointed Stefan Gmeiner as country manager for Germany, the Netherlands and Slovenia for the Columbia and Sorel brands from the start of this month. He replaces Mike Kaier, who left to join Falke. Gmeiner was previously category sales manager for apparel, performance layers and accessories for the Columbia brand in the same three countries. This job was taken over by Tobias Baier, former key account representative, who has been replaced in this position by Christoph Schwer. Erwin van Dop was appointed earlier this year as category sales manager for footwear and equipment in the same countries, based in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Columbia has launched a sustainable retail campaign running from Sept. 15-Oct. 13 to promote its classical “Bugaboot Original” shoe beefed up with the company's “Omni-Heat” technology. Columbia has installed special corners in the points of sale of 15 selected German retailers where consumers can turn in old and used shoes. In return, they will be rewarded with a fleece scarf. The collected footwear goes to Wir Helfen Afrika (“We Help Africa”), an NGO dedicated to the needs of children in South Africa, notably for free medication for poor kids.

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