Lycra brand owner Invista has announced changes to its global spandex business. In a statement this afternoon Invista Apparel President Dave Trerotola announced changes to the global organisational structure which the company says will foster innovation and enhance service.

Invista's spandex business has created a new western region and eastern region to serve its global base of customers. The western region, led by Max Wiesendanger, merges the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa interests with those of North, Central and South America into a single business unit.

The eastern region, led by Dan Kotkin, will include both the South Asia and Asia Pacific markets. Each region will have responsibility for sales and customer value creation initiatives within their respective geographies.

Invista's spandex manufacturing assets, supply chain and commercial development initiatives will be managed globally under the direction of Wally McWalter. Don Burich, who previously led the Americas region, has comparable responsibility for its nylon business.

To facilitate increased consumer and customer input in innovation, Invista Apparel's marketing team will now be more closely integrated with the firm's global technology team, with both units led by Bob Kirkwood, who previously headed the research and development function and continues to serve as Invista's chief technology officer, the company said in a statement today.

Serge Vigouroux, who previously headed the marketing function for Invista Apparel, has assumed new responsibilities in business development and brand strategy.

"It is comforting to me to pass the torch on to Bob as I know he will continue to focus on innovation and differentiation, to the benefit of Invista customers along the value chain", Serge said.

"Lycra fibre has evolved tremendously in the past 5 years, with many new successful programs initiated in all apparel segments around the world. I am now looking forward to my new assignment with a lot of excitement and am eager to continue contributing to Invista's growth."

Dave Trerotola, president of Invista Apparel, describes the organizational and management changes as a logical step in the strategic development of Invista's Apparel business.

"These organization changes will enable us to better align global resources with the textile market dynamics of each hemisphere, strengthen our innovation strategies, and intensify customer relationships in mutually productive ways," Trerotola said.