The Lycra Company has announced two strategic leadership moves to accelerate innovation and growth.

Robert Johnston has been promoted to chief operating officer from his previous role as executive vice president of operations, and Doug Kelliher has been appointed executive vice president of product. Both executives report directly to CEO Gary Smith.

Johnston, a 35-year veteran of at Lycra and its predecessor organisations, will expand his leadership to include product development, in addition to his current oversight of global manufacturing operations and IT. In his new role, he will manage R&D talent, lab resources and pilot production to drive innovation across the product portfolio, supporting strategic growth priorities identified by Kelliher’s team.

“I’m honoured to take on this role and help shape the future of our innovation pipeline,” he said. “Our teams around the world are deeply committed to excellence and I look forward to working across functions to strengthen our operations and advance product development.”

Kelliher will lead the product management team in developing and executing strategy across fibres, fabrics and garments. His team works to deliver differentiated solutions that add value and meet the needs of today’s consumer. With more than 30 years of product leadership experience at Timberland, Velcro Companies, Polartec and Milliken, Kelliher brings deep expertise to his role.

“I’m thrilled to join The Lycra Company and contribute to its legacy of innovation,” he said. “With the strength of our global team and a clear focus on differentiated products that fulfil market demands, I’m confident we can unlock new growth opportunities and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

“As the apparel industry continues to evolve, our focus remains on delivering high-performance solutions that meet consumer needs and help brands and retailers differentiate and thrive,” said Gary Smith, CEO of The Lycra Company. “Doug and Robert bring exceptional leadership, vision and industry expertise to their roles, strengthening our ability to co-create with customers, accelerate innovation and bring transformative technologies to market faster and more efficiently.”

www.thelycracompany.com