New CEO, new Digital department, plus new Marketing hires at Ortlieb
Ortlieb have announced a number of personnel changes, including the expansion of the Q3 2021 launched Digital team, a brand new department for the brand.
With Martin Esslinger promoted to CEO, a number of other appointments have been confirmed.
Having previously worked for 7 years with the brand, Heike Borchardt returns in a new managerial position. Re-joining in October 2021 as the Head of Sales Export and Head of Inside Sales, Borchardt, the team lead for Exports, now reports directly to the newly appointed CEO, Martin Esslinger, as does Christopher Haas, who has been Head of Sales Germany for the important German domestic market since June of 2021.
Rahul Malhotra, has been appointed as the Digital Lead for the new Ortlieb Digital department, established in Q3 of 2021 to address the transformation and digitization of the Ortlieb brand. Additional team members include Carla Gögelein (online-marketing- & e-commerce-manager) and Lisa Rexroth (content-manager).
Meanwhile, the marketing team was strengthened with the addition of Katharina Friedl, who in addition to the bike industry experience, also brings vast marketing knowledge to the team. With the successfully completion of training, Lena Schuster fills the newly created junior marketing manager position.
“I am pleased that we have successfully filled the vacancies and have thus been able to gain additional expertise and reinforcement in the various departments. With Heike and Rahul, we are now positioned in two strategically important positions for the future. Tackling the challenges with regard to the digitization of the brand and the changes in sales together will be exciting, and will require a full team,” states Managing Director Martin Esslinger.
In the UK Orlieb has a long relationship with Lyon Equipment, with Ortlieb’s durable and repairable panniers being a go to product for many commuter cyclists. With the Lyon Cycle becoming an active promotor of Gravel and adventure cycling, Ortlieb has been well placed to meet adventure needs with a range of 100% waterproof bike packing bags, manufactured using techniques which have built an enviable reputation for the brand.