Pelican Commits to Retailers with Key New Hires for 2011

Pelican Commits to Retailers with Key New Hires for 2011

Continued growth enables Canadian company to expand its team.

Laval, Québec, May 16, 2011 – At a time when many companies are being forced to reduce their workforces, thanks to continued growth, Pelican International continues to expand its team. This month, Pelican is pleased to announce the addition of four new key members to its Sales and Sourcing teams, underlining the company’s ongoing commitment to retailers.

Joel McBride – Regional Manager, West Coast and Gulf Coast
Joel McBride is the latest addition to Pelican International’s U.S. Sales Team. As the new Regional Manager for the West Coast and Gulf Coast, McBride will report to the Director of Sales – United States, Kelley Woolsey, and will be responsible for the states of WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, NV, CA, AZ, NM, TX, OK, AR, LA. Based in Salida, Colorado, he will work closely with Leisure Sales and R&R Sunbelt Sales, as well as with Dave Sheehy, who will continue to manage and grow his existing territory in the Midwest.

McBride is not new to the paddle-sports industry. He brings an impressive background with over 20 years of experience in Sales and Sales Management in the paddle-sports business to his new position. His main focus will be on the growth and development of both the Pelican and the recently launched Elie brands in one of the nation’s most important markets.

Louise Meilleur – Manager, Strategic Sourcing
With a freshly minted certificate in Operations Management (specialty: Procurement) from the HEC and 25 years of experience in Supply Chain Provisioning, Louise Meilleur has been nominated to the newly created position of Manager, Strategic Sourcing. In her new role, Louise will be responsible for supporting Pelican’s growth by developing sourcing strategies in both Asia and North America. She will also negotiate major contracts with suppliers and subcontractors.

Over the course of her career, Louise has worked in a broad range of industries and has acquired in-depth knowledge of the retail and wholesale markets, as well as of manufacturing, distribution and R&D.
Claude-Simon Dansereau – Regional Manager, International Sales
Claude Simon Dansereau has been appointed to the position of Regional Manager, International Sales. Mr. Dansereau has been with Pelican for over five years and his experience will enable him to support and grow our overseas business.
“In order to sustain Pelican’s continued growth, we are investing in top talent to grow our business in the U.S., as well as overseas”, said Antoine Elie, C.E.O of Pelican International. “We are also strengthening our internet presence with our partners and expanding our supply chain team in order to optimize delivery times and ensure the best possible product quality. I am pleased to welcome these new players to the Pelican team and I am confident that their depth of experience will be of great benefit to Pelican and its retail partners.”

Creation of new position – E-commerce Sales Project Manager
In addition to these new hires, Pelican has created the new role of Project Manager for E-Commerce Sales. Reporting to the company’s Sales Director, the incumbent will be responsible for managing all aspects of business between the company and its e-commerce customers, including the customer network, sales force, product offerings, pricing and promotions, and collaboration with Logistics, R & D, Marketing and Customer Service.


About Pelican International

Founded in 1968 and based in Laval, Quebec, Pelican International is a leader in kayaks, canoes, small fishing boats, pedal boats and outdoor winter toys. As a company that promotes enjoying the great outdoors, Pelican is committed to protecting our environment and recycles 99.5% of the excess material produced in their manufacturing process to make new products and has installed specially designed ducts that redirect heated air from their moulding ovens to heat their production facility in the winter. Pelican International also promotes safe boating, advising all passengers to wear a coast guard-approved personal flotation device at all times when aboard a boat. For more information, please visit Pelican’s website at www.pelicansport.com