Tackle Trade World - May 2023

WAEVER LANDS ROLE
WITH OUTDOOR BRAND
Well-known industry specialist
Thomas Waever has landed a
new position as export manager
for outdoor and apparel
company Highlander Group.
Among Thomas’s previous
high-profile roles have been
spells at eyewear brand Wiley
X and, more recently, as export
manage for Danish tackle firm
Fairpoint Outdoors.
Now Thomas has taken
on a similar export manager
role for Scotland-based
Highlander Group, bringing
another dimension to that
company, which specialises in
clothing, camping equipment
and accessories.
Ramin Golzari, coowner
and director
of Highlander Group,
explained: “It is a real win
for Highlander to sign Thomas
to our fast-growing team.
He brings years and years
of international experience
and will be the driving force
holding full responsibility
for all our sales and activities
outside of UK.
“I have worked with Thomas
Thomas Waever, Ramin Golzari, Highlander Outdoors
in the past and I’m delighted
to have him on board. With
his experience and skills, I
have high expectations for
the future expansion of both
the Highlander brand and
products.”
Thomas will be based
in Europe to further
strengthen the foothold
of Highlander Group
internationally.
He added: “Signing
with Highlander Group is a
perfect match. I have worked
internationally in the outdoor
business for years and I look
forward to being a part of
the Highlander team. I expect
us to hit the ground running
and build on the international
success Highlander has had for
years.
“I see a lot of potential and
real passion in the products
and adding the exclusive
STOIRM line to the portfolio
of products; there will be a lot
of new and unexplored business
to conquer.”
New head unveiled for Simms Fishing
Derek Tarlecki, the man who helped
identify Simms Fishing Products as a
potential purchase for Vista Outdoor,
has become president of the tackle and
apparel brand.
Derek, who led strategy and coled
merger and acquisitions for Vista
Outdoor, has been serving as chief
integration officer at Montana-based
Simms since September, following
the retirement of Simms CEO Casey
Sheahan.
It is understood his leadership
accelerated Simms’ integration into the
Vista Outdoor family – which owns 41
brands in the outdoor and lifestyle sector
– and helped the team deliver 25 per cent
year-over-year growth in the third quarter.
Vista Outdoor interim CEO Gary
McArthur said: “Filling this key Simms
position has been a priority since I
assumed the interim CEO duties. The
strength of our company lies with our
brands, which are continuing to innovate
and take share in their respective
categories. Derek’s appointment bolsters
our business unit leadership team at
Simms – the anchor of our new fishing
platform – and better positions us for
the separation of Outdoor Products and
Sporting Products into two companies,
which remains on track for this year.”
Before joining Vista Outdoor, he spent
nearly 14 years advising and supporting
large- and medium-sized businesses at
the global strategy consulting firm Bain
& Co.
But he is also an avid sportsman and
passionate member of organisations
including Trout Unlimited, Ducks
Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and
Anglers and the Theodore Roosevelt
Conservation Partnership.
Derek said: “I am honoured to accept
the role of president for such an iconic
and innovative fishing brand. I’ve long
loved Simms, both personally and
professionally, and I’m excited to work
alongside this incredibly talented and
dedicated team.
“I am also excited to get out and work
with our key partners – the 500-plus
retailers that are a cornerstone of our
brand. I am thankful to Vista Outdoor
for the opportunity and I look forward
to honouring Simms’ storied past
while supporting the brand’s focus on
innovation, fishy culture and advocacy for
the wild places that we are so passionate
about.”
16 www.tackletradeworld.com