Remington rejig sparks chief’s exit

Executive vice-president Wilan van den Berg quits after restructure gives control to US office

Remington’s executive vice-president international, Wilan van den Berg, has resigned suddenly without a job to go to, following a global shake-up of the company.

Remington’s international operations were based in the UK, and headed by van den Berg. But the restructure involved splitting the international division into three units – the UK, rest of Europe and Australia, all of which will report to the US-based head office. The reorganisation left van den Berg without a clear role.

The general managers of each of the three business units will now report directly to the chief executive and president of the company, Neil DeFeo, who is based in Connecticut.

Remington is to launch two products later this year – the Microscreen 3TCT, a shaver for men, which marks the company’s first entry into the premium-priced shaving products market; and Micro Super Smooth, a set of steam curlers and straighteners for women.

UK marketing director Peta Thorniley says the launches will be supported with a £3m marketing and advertising spend – double what Remington spent last year.

The company is known for its Eighties TV campaign catchlined “I like it so much, I bought the company”, which featured company chairman Victor Kiam. Kiam, who passed away last month, bought the company in 1979.