Lifetime Brands Appoints Varakian to Group President Cutlery/Cutting Boards & Cookware/Bakeware Divisions; Promotes Spitz to President Cutlery/Cutting Boards Division
Garden City, NY (PRWEB) December 23, 2013 -- Lifetime Brands, Inc., a leading global provider of branded kitchenware, tabletop and other products used in the home, today announced the appointment of Bob Varakian as Group President over its Cutlery/Cutting Boards and Cookware/Bakeware divisions. Varakian will assume his new role on January 6, 2014 and will report to Jeffrey Siegel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lifetime Brands. Lifetime also announced the promotion of Stephen Spitz to President for the Cutlery/Cutting Boards division, effective immediately. Spitz will report to Varakian.
In his role at Lifetime Brands, Varakian will have overall responsibility for the Cutlery/Cutting Boards and Cookware/Bakeware divisions. Varakian, formerly CEO and President of Nambe, LLC, has more than 25 years of experience in the housewares industry. Prior to joining Nambe, Varakian served as CEO and President of Catalina Lighting, Inc, President and Founder of Lectrix LLC, and President of EKCO Housewares (a division of Ekco Group).
As Division President for Cutlery/Cutting Boards, Spitz will continue to develop Lifetime’s brands and categories and will help take the businesses to the next level. Since joining Lifetime Brands in 2005, Spitz has held various positions, including the most recent position of Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Cookware, Cutlery, and Bakeware divisions. Spitz began his career at Macy’s and has worked with many brands including Calphalon, Krups, and Delonghi.
Siegel commented about Varakian, “We are pleased Bob is joining the Lifetime Brands family. He is well respected in the industry, has excellent credentials, and possesses a robust background in management, marketing, product development, sales, manufacturing and sourcing. Bob’s proven track record and strong leadership skills will be valuable assets to the Cutlery/Cutting Boards and Cookware/Bakeware divisions. We look forward to working with Bob to solidify Lifetime’s position as an industry leader and to expand our businesses globally.”
About Spitz, Siegel added, “Steve has made significant contributions to the company, expanding the reach of our brands across multiple retail channels, and driving innovation in the cutlery, cutting board, and bakeware categories. His wealth of knowledge and industry experience is invaluable. I am confident Steve will continue to be instrumental in the ongoing success of the Cutlery/Cutting Boards division in his new role as Division President.”
Varakian said, “I look forward to joining Lifetime Brands. I have known the Siegels for a long time and they have done an outstanding job in building a tremendous business. It will be exciting to join their excellent group of executives, and I hope to contribute to their continued success. Bob Reichenbach did an outstanding job and I will attempt to continue the momentum that he developed. I am proud of what we accomplished at Nambe. I leave behind many friends and I wish them nothing but the best,” Varakian added.
About Lifetime Brands, Inc.
Lifetime Brands is a leading global provider of kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home. The Company markets its products under such well-known kitchenware brands as Farberware®, KitchenAid®, CasaModa®, Cuisine de France®, Fred®, Guy Fieri®, Hoffritz®, Kizmos™, Misto®, Mossy Oak®, Pedrini®, Roshco®, Sabatier®, Savora™ and Vasconia®; respected tableware brands such as Mikasa®, Pfaltzgraff®, Creative Tops®, Gorham®, International® Silver, Kirk Stieff®, Sasaki®, Towle® Silversmiths, Tuttle®, Wallace®, V&A® and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew®; and home solutions brands, including Elements®, Melannco®, Kamenstein® and Design for Living™. The Company also provides exclusive private label products to leading retailers worldwide. The Company’s website is http://www.lifetimebrands.com.
Lisa Lochner, Lifetime Brands, Inc., http://www.lifetimebrands.com, +1 (516) 740-6723, [email protected]
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