SKINS® Compression Clothing Appoints New General Manager of North America

Accomplished Marketing Veteran to Take Reins of Gradient Compression Company as Part of Increased US Focus

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SKINS Compression, the world’s leading gradient compression sportswear brand, is proud to announce the appointment of Johnny West as the new General Manager of North America. West’s selection to head the SKINS team is part of a corporate initiative to expand the brand within the US performance apparel marketplace. This shift will strengthen the brand’s presence across a number of sporting disciplines and channels, as well as increase consumer awareness of the superior quality and unique product features associated with the brand.

“With extensive industry experience across multi-sport segments, West will be a key player in leading our expansion efforts into crowded markets and helping SKINS rise to the top”

West will lead the SKINS North America team and be responsible for planning and implementing strategic brand and marketing initiatives to maximize brand awareness at both the retail and consumer levels, driving top- and bottom-line revenue and company growth across various distribution channels throughout the United States.

West brings nearly 20 years of global experience in strategic sales, marketing and branding for some of the world’s leading international sports and apparel brands with him to SKINS. Most recently West served as director of brand and sports marketing for 2XU North America. Prior to 2XU, West held top-level sales and marketing positions with highly-recognized sports and outdoor brands, such as Prana, K2 Snowboarding, and O’Neill.

“With extensive industry experience across multi-sport segments, West will be a key player in leading our expansion efforts into crowded markets and helping SKINS rise to the top,” said Jaimie Fuller, SKINS Chairman. “We believe that West’s marketing and branding expertise, coupled with his innate drive for success and passion for all things athletic, will enable the SKINS brand to successfully grow and position itself as the category leading compression sportswear brand-of-choice to new and existing consumers, affiliates and wholesale partners across North America. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

"When I look at the potential of the SKINS brand, the sky is the limit. Being first to market in North America over seven years ago, with the introduction of gradient compression technology and most recently the next evolution with dynamic gradient compression, makes it an exciting time to be a part of the brand’s inevitable growth moving forward,” said Johnny West, General Manager of SKINS North America. “I’m thrilled to be leading the charge for SKINS North America, alongside our talented staff, to maximize the endless opportunities in this category."

West holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial psychology from Drake University. While at Drake, West was a member of their Division 1 football program, having played Strong Safety for four years. With an enthusiasm for sports in general, West is also a talented skier and snowboarder, avid surfer and newly-accomplished triathlete completing his first Ironman in 2010 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

SKINS compression wear is designed to help athletes reach their peak performance with products developed for specific sports and levels of activity. The technology-driven compression garments are specifically designed to compress muscle groups to trigger acceleration in blood flow, resulting in increased oxygen to working muscles and maximized performance. SKINS compression wear is popularly-known to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, a key factor in promoting active recovery. Whatever the sport, SKINS allows athletes to train harder, compete longer and recover faster.

For more information about SKINS Compression Clothing, visit the brand online at www.SKINS.net or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/skinsusa.

About SKINS Compression Clothing

SKINS rules the world in gradient compression performance equipment and is worn by professional athletes and active consumers worldwide including cyclists, runners, and triathletes. SKINS best in class gradient compression is supplied to top professional teams across many disciplines of sport. Including professional cycling team Lotto Belisol, throughout the NFL, NBA, and NHL with exclusive partnership of the St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks hockey teams, and professional football players Brian Scott, Chase Blackburn, Brian Rolle and Peyton Hillis.

Originally developed in Australia in 1996, the brand was designed to take on a massive challenge: create a sports garment that improved performance and aided recovery. SKINS invested heavily in research to make this happen and is now Australia’s leading therapeutic compression brand and is gaining similar recognition around the world.

Bringing this unique line of performance apparel to the United State in 2007, SKINS continues to make their number one focus research and development in order to improve, rigorously test and expand its range of products. SKINS is the only therapeutic compression sportswear brand supported by numerous independent studies published in peer reviewed medical journals. SKINS is also the only compression garments recommended and endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. For more information, visit the brand online as www.skins.net.