SSL appoints Thai boss as marketing director

SSL International, which makes Durex condoms, has appointed John Gray, managing director of its business in Thailand, as its international marketing director. The position was created as a result of a recent restructure, following a profit warning in April.

Gray will report to the European managing director, Andrew Slater. He says: “My position is part of a tactical restructure and is not related to the profit warning issued this year.”

The company, which also owns the Scholl footcare brand and the Remegel Antacid over-the-counter pharmaceutical brand, is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office after it overstated profits by &£19m.

SSL International was formed in July 1999 by the merger of Seton Scholl Healthcare and London International Group.

The company is set to widen the Durex range with the launch of Performa, a condom containing a small amount of the anaesthetic benzocaine, which helps to delay ejaculation. Another new product is Close Fit, an extra-small condom aimed at the adolescent market.

The company recently repositioned Scholl as a cosmetics brand, in an effort to move it away from its “problem feet” image (MW December 6, 2001).