NEW DELHI: Footwear manufacturer Adidas Salomon AG has announced that from 15 September Tarun Kunzru will head its South East Asia operations. He is currently Adidas India's MD.

An official release informs that he will be responsible for overseeing the Adidas subsidiaries in India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, which will be integrated into the newly created "Area South East Asia". He will continue acting in his role as Adidas India's MD till the end of the year when he will relocate to Singapore.

Adidaas Asia Pacific MD Jim Stutts had these remarks to make. "Tarun brings with him passion, energy, intellect and more than 20 years of global marketing experience. I am confident that under his leadership, we would be able to further leverage and support growth opportunities in the newly-established South East Asia Region."

The release adds that Kunzru joined Adidas India as the MD four years ago and was able to build the brand to the market leading position. Prior to joining the company he had worked with beverage conglomerate Pepsi Cola International for 10 years on both country and regional levels. In his new role in Adidas, Kunzru will continue to report to Stutts.

Kunzru said, "I am excited by the potential of these six countries - India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Philippines. Through maximising this potential, we are confident of being one of the fastest growing areas in the years to come."

With total net sales of 6.5 billion euros in 2002, Adidas-Salomon claims to be a global leader in the sporting goods industry and offers the broadest portfolio of products. In the first half of this year sales in Asia increased a currency-neutral eight per cent to reach € 509 million.