Reiner Pichler replaces Felix Sulzberger as CEO of Calida

Felix Sulzberger, the long-time CEO of Calida Group, is stepping down from the role in 2016 and the board has named Reiner Pichler as his successor. As CEO of Switzerland’s Holy Fashion Group for almost two decades, Pichler was responsible for the lifestyle brands Strellson, Joop!, Windsor and Tommy Hilfiger. Most recently he was CEO of German fashion group s.Oliver.

The change in the leadership of the Calida Group is scheduled for April 1, 2016. Sulzberger decided to put in his papers after differences of opinion with the board of directors and the main shareholder about the Calida Group’s strategic focus. He has agreed to help induct his successor into his job, and to ensure an orderly handover of operational management.

“Felix Sulzberger, took over leadership of the Calida Group 14 years ago when the firm was in a difficult situation, and he developed it from a traditional production operation into a market-focused international clothing group. During his time in office, sales were tripled and the company consistently achieved above-average profitability as it pursued the goal of long-term value creation. Thanks to a clever acquisition policy and the establishment of its own store networks, the group gained a broader strategic base and continued to develop successfully,” said Chairman of the board, Thomas Lustenberger.

Pichler a German national, who also holds Swiss citizenship, began his career at Hugo Boss AG, where he rose to become a member of the sales executive in Germany. From 1991 to 1994 he was managing director of sales for the D/A/CH region at Gruppo Finanziario Tessile, Turin/Germany (brands including Giorgio Armani and Valentino). Pichler then took over as CEO of the Holy Fashion Group. At the start of 2014 Pichler moved to become CEO of German fashion group s.Oliver.