Icebreaker Hires VP of Markets; Global VP of Sustainable Supply Chain

Icebreaker, the New Zealand-based manufacturer of pure merino nature clothing, announced today the addition of two critical executive roles for the growing brand. Tony Balfour has joined Icebreaker as the Vice President of Global Markets, and Michael Jamieson has come on to lead Icebreaker’s global supply chain inventory and environment team. As Icebreaker continues to meet and exceed sales and distribution goals as a global brand, the new positions bring increased structure and direction to the fast-growing company.

“As we evolve into a truly global organization, we need great people, the best we can find,” said Jeremy Moon, Icebreaker’s Founder and CEO. “Tony Balfour has a proven track record, having grown Nike’s Asia Pacific business to $500 million (USD) before taking other CEO roles. Tony is perfectly suited, in both experience and personality, to lead our markets as they evolve.”

Balfour brings vision and direction gleaned from an extensive background in global business and in the active apparel industry, having served as President of Monster Worldwide’s Asia Pacific division, and as General Manager of Nike, Inc.’s Asia Pacific, India, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand and Australian markets.

Michael Jamieson is a New Zealand native and no stranger to merino farms or global business. He most recently was General Manager of Nike New Zealand but spent ten years prior leading Nike, Inc.’s Pacific region Customer Service, IT, and logistics functions. Jamieson also worked with Nike’s regional and global teams on many supply chain improvements including new facilities, systems implementations, third-party logistics introduction, and Nike’s Supply Chain Project for the Pacific region.

“Michael ran Nike’s Pacific supply chain for many years, and knows how to make complexity run like
clockwork – a key talent for leading our global sourcing, inventory, and environment team,” added Moon.

“The Supply Chain Project was among Nike’s largest-scale undertakings, involving significant changes
across the entire business in processes, practices, structure and systems,” said Jamieson. “My involvement in Nike’s global and local sustainability work allowed me to establish a natural fit between my environmental values and my work – a strong part of what has drawn me to Icebreaker,” said Jamieson.

Jamieson and Balfour will be based in Icebreaker’s Wellington, New Zealand global office. They can be reached at michael.jamieson@icebreaker.com and Balfour can be reached at tony.balfour@icebreaker.com.

About Icebreaker
Launched in 1994, Icebreaker was the first company in the world to develop a merino wool layering system for the outdoors. It was also the first outdoor apparel company in the world to source merino direct from growers, a system originating in 1997. The hand-picked merino wool, procured directly from the country’s Southern Alps, is transformed through the best technology, ethical manufacturing and environmentally sound practices into every Icebreaker garment. There are now 10 distinct pure merino fabrics in the Icebreaker system, covering base layer, mid layer, and outerwear. The layers perform as a system that is soft next-to-skin, breathes and insulates to keep the wearer warm and dry, and doesn’t itch or hold odor.

Icebreaker is sold in nearly 2000 stores in 24 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America, with a flagship retail store and global design center in Portland, Oregon. Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Icebreaker uses only pure merino hand-picked from 120 high country stations in the country’s Southern Alps to create edgy outdoor clothing that combines nature’s work with human technology and design. To locate an Icebreaker dealer and to preview Icebreaker collections, visit www.icebreaker.com.