ASAP fashion news archive - apparel industry news from before September 2005
This page is part of the ASAP fashion news archive on Apparel Search, which collected apparel, fashion and textile industry news from before September 2005. For current coverage, see the Apparel Search news page and the fashion blog.
From: ASAP
The Spiegel Group today announced the appointment of Rich Lauer to vice president of operations. In his new role, Lauer, 47, will be responsible for Distribution Fulfillment Services, Inc. (DFS), Spiegel Group Teleservices (SGTS) and Spiegel-Hermes General Service, LLC (SHGS). Lauer also will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer of DFS. Lauer replaces David Boothby who resigned from the company.
"This is a critical executive position that integrates many strategic objectives and tactical initiatives," said Martin Zaepfel, vice chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Spiegel Group. "Given his expertise, management ability, and extensive industry and company knowledge, wxperte are confident that Rich will provide the operations team a strong sensxperte of purpose and leadership. We are fortunate to have someone who isxpert so well prepared to step into this role and make an impact."
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Spiegel Group, DFS serves the catalog and e-commerce fulfillment and distribution, as well as retail distribution needs for Spiegel, Eddie Bauer and other Spiegel Group ventures. SGTS is the Group's network of call centers. SHGS is the Group's joint venture that provides a comprehensive range of third-party global logistics services.
Lauer played a key executive role in the establishment of DFS in 1995, and under his leadership, DFS has played a critical role in providing distribution and fulfillment services to The Spiegel Group. Lauer was named president of DFS in 1999. Prior to that, he held various management positions at DFS, including senior vice president of operations and vice president of engineering and information systems. He also has had management responsibility for quality assurance and industrial engineering. Lauer first joined The Spiegel Group as manager of operations support for Eddie Bauer in Columbus, Ohio, in August 1987. Before joining the company, he worked for Simonds Cutting Tools in Newcomerstown, Ohio.
Lauer earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial and systems engineering from The Ohio State University. He lives in Dublin, Ohio, with his wife and children.