CANONSBURG, Pa.–Groupe SEB, the France-based parent of Krups, Rowenta, All-Clad and T-Fal, among other brands, has reconfigured the management of its North American brands.
According to a company statement, the management of Krups will be transferred from Medford, Mass., to here, and will be put under the direction of Christophe de Veyrac, who has become division president for high-end kitchen appliances. De Veyrac retains his existing responsibilities over the All-Clad and Lagostina brands, and the combination with Krups creates a unit that focuses on luxury housewares brands.
Groupe SEB is also moving the Rowenta brand from Medford to West Orange, N.J., and is putting this brand under the direction of Luc Gaudemard, who has been named division president of Rowenta and T-Fal/WearEver. Gaudemard retains his existing responsibilities over the Mirro, WearEver and T-Fal brands, and assumes charge over the Emerilware brand of cookware.
Paul Pofcher, until recently, division president for Krups/Rowenta, is leaving the company after nearly 22 years with Groupe SEB.
In addition, Groupe SEB is creating a new division called “partnerships and new business development,” which will be under the direction of a vice president who has yet to be named. This executive will coordinate the execution of partnerships and report directly to Marc Navarre, president of Groupe SEB North America.
Last year, according to a separate Groupe SEB statement, the North American unit posted sales of $586.5 million, up 3 percent from 2006. “Very dynamic” sales in Mexico and an improvement in sales in Canada offset flat sales in the United States and effects of the weak U.S. dollar and Mexican peso to produce a modest growth in the business.