Svendsen Sport A/S – one of the most significant suppliers of tackle for European anglers – announced around the middle of December that André Akkermans has been hired to manage the future operation of DAM.

Coming from Holland, André draws on 23 years of experience with leadership in the European fishing tackle Industry. In the period 1993-2001, he was building up the Sensas Benelux BV organization after which he joined the Fox International Group Ltd. as European Trading Manager with a.o. responsibility for setting up the centralized distribution center in Belgium. Since 2010, André has held the position as Fox’ European Managing Director with full responsibility for European sales- and marketing activities including the implementation of direct sales and distribution in major Eastern European markets.

Besides, André is a keen angler with knowledge of most European fishing disciplines. Svendsen Sport A/S sees great potential in the DAM brand and sub brands, which contain the essence of history, quality and innovation. This mix, which makes up the DNA of the DAM brand, is just waiting to be unfolded, and André – who has forged strong relationships with retailers by working with them to grow their businesses through creative programs and partnerships – is the right person to make this happen.

“We welcome André, anticipating that he will be instrumental in bringing DAM and the individual markets together to provide even more value to their businesses. His combination of knowledge about the industry and sales management skills will serve him well as he takes on this new responsibility”, says Lars Svendsen, CEO for Svendsen Sport A/S. At the same time, Lars stresses that despite the sale of DAM and Svendsen Sport to Danish equity fund Maj Invest Equity and the change in management of DAM there will be no changes in the sales structure of the company. DAM and Svendsen Sport will keep its separate sales organizations as well as product development and marketing teams.

Website: www.dam.de.