Paul Lange & Co Restructures Staff

STUTTGART, Germany (18 April 2000)--Shimano's German distributor Paul Lange & Co has made several changes in its staff. Longtime sales manager Bodo Schmidt is now responsible for OEM customers and other larger customers in Germany, the Czech republic and Slovakia. Schmidt will also overlook the Czech and Slovak factories. Simon Bowker, formerly of the company's marketing division, is now sales manager of Shimano distribution, focusing on Shimano's service centers and overlooking the distribution of Shimano accessories. Marc Fauser is now vice sales manager and will support both Schmidt and Bowker. Lars Herzog is new vice sales manager and will overlook Paul Lange's distribution of non-Shimano brand products (RST, Vittoria, Geax, Longus, Ambrosio, Sports Instruments, Limar, Selle Italia). Falk Schlienz is new product manager of Shimano's OTC products (shoes, pedals, clothing, eyewear, wheels, flight deck computers etc.), and Simona Valencic responsible for Shimano's direct imports and larger customers. The company's new marketing manager is Konrad Weyhmann. Weyhmann comes from the trade magazine Zweirad Magazin where he worked as chief editor. (JB)