Ortlieb Sportartikel, the German company specializing in bicycle panniers and backpacks, hired Falco Schott from the start of this year as product manager for backpacks. Previously product manager for equipment at Jack Wolfskin, Schott intends to focus on integrated design, product development and production facilities at Ortlieb's head office in Heilsbronn to develop the brand's waterproof backpack segment. He reports to Rolf Kathrein-Lehmann, head of product management. Separately, the sales team supervised by Martin Esslinger was reinforced: Steffen Ulrich joined the international sales team back in October and Kathrin Kahden has taken charge of sales in Bavaria, covering for a parental leave.