With a commitment to making high-performance footwear with minimal environmental impact, Erem has hired Chris Rischke, who becomes the company’s Vice President of Operations and Wholesale.
Erem is gaining an accomplished business and operations leader in Rischke, who most recently worked with footwear brand Oboz as Director of Operations. In his five-year tenure there, he helped lead the company to become an outdoor footwear market leader in sales, service and operations.
The hiring of Rischke comes at a pivotal moment for Erem. The company looks to build on its direct-to-consumer success and expand its line. Under Rischke’s leadership, Erem will launch a wholesale division, which includes building out a team of independent sales reps and agencies.
Rischke’s experience and expertise “is going to be invaluable as Erem moves from online to the real world,” said Noah Swartz, Erem CEO and founder. “Chris is an expert in cultivating partnerships with outdoor industry wholesalers. He’s the consummate relationship builder that understands all aspects of wholesale partnerships: from the initial sell-in to building a mutually beneficial relationship that ultimately delights the end customer.”
Rischke added, “What the company has accomplished in terms of product performance, setting new sustainability standards, and giving back to the planet is simply phenomenal.”
On the heels of hiring Rischke, Erem wrapped up a successful Kickstarter campaign for the Gila, the most sustainable adventure sandal made, which was more than 700 percent funded in five weeks. The Gila delivers desert performance and is constructed with plant and earth-based materials — including biodegradable rubber, natural cotton, recycled cork, and TENCEL tree fibers. It will be available to consumers and retailers in mid-February.
For more information, visit https://eremlife.com/.
