Andreas Michaelis

500 M CHF manufacturer of Switzerland’s treasure, the Swiss Army Knife, and global market leader in pocket and butcher knives sold across 140 countries, with 900 employees. Key clients – Amazon, Ebay, WalMart. Directed 5 M CHF budget with shared 20 M CHF A&P budget. Led 9 direct reports with 5 team members in dotted line reporting structure and 40 team members. Reported directly to CEO. Served as advisor to the Executive Board on several occasions.

Partnered with a Doctor of Dental Science to found, market and grow (with very limited resources) a new subcategory – the first premium cosmetic dental brand (a patented high-quality innovative product), manufactured entirely in Switzerland. 3 M CHF in revenues with 2 direct reports. Despite entering a market with flat growth and low margins, completely saturated with global competitors, the initial phase was a great success, so we built out the organization.

Transformed 15 M EURO niche cosmetics company to a licensed brand leader. As a member of the executive board, I led marketing and sales. Developed new biotech ingredient that changed the possibilities of anti-aging treatments. Integrated global licensing for the brand Wolfgang Joop. Our goal was vast expansion and to go public with the company within five years. We achieved our goals, bought and integrated a major competitor, and integrated clients and the assortment.

Turned around a 25 M EURO family-owned stationary manufacturing company with 120 employees in a very highly competitive, declining market, with margins eroding. Integrated into a larger corporation, Europe’s market leader at that time. Led risk management and change management through 3 company reorganizations and 2 relocations within 5 years.