'Dramatic change’ on horizon, says new WFSGI president
27/01/2014
Frank Dassler, whose father Armon served as president bewteem 1986 and 1989, was unanimously elected by the WFSGI General Assembly in Munich on January 24. He is the eldest representative of the third generation succeeding Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, the founders of adidas and Puma, and is now general counsel of the adidas Group.
“I look forward to resolve challenges confronting us on a global level and to boost trends and innovation for our industry and I am excited to work closely with the new board and the WFSGI staff,” he said.
At the WFSGI meeting, Mr Daaler said free world trade and free access to the markets are the main pillars for the industry and brands. “We are content with the multi-lateral agreement accomplished at the WTO–ministerial conference recently in Bali. This historical agreement on trade facilitation is to be welcomed as it will generate quicker and simpler border procedures for the benefits of our globally operating industry-members.”
During 2013, WFSGI consulted academics and experts in the field of “future manufacturing” and organised a forum in Taipei, Taiwan in December 2013. WFSGI forecasts that the manufacturing of sporting goods will “change dramatically” in the next decade.
“We want to boost innovation and trends of the future that affect our industry,” said Mr Dassler. “The integration of electronic devices in sporting goods and the linking of equipment with information and communication technology will further affect the future of the sport. I expect digital sports to open up new possibilities and new business models. We will see a transformation from ‘product accompanying services’ to ‘service accompanying products’. I recommend manufacturers and retailers to work more closely together and to break fresh ground with new industry partners.”
WFSGI is developing tailored programmes for managing CSR programmes in supply chains, and has launched a pilot project for the bicycle industry. It has also begun an anti-counterfeit programme in collaboration with Italy-based brand protection specialist Convey.
“Our industry should do the utmost to promote a healthy active living as every person being physical active is a current and future consumer of our products,” added Mr Dassler.
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