MUMBAI: Adidas - Salomon AG today announced that Andreas Gellner, who is currently the managing director of Adidas Malaysia, has been appointed the managing director of Adidas India with effect from 1 August, 2004.

Adidas India will now be separated from the Southeast Asia region and Gellner will be reporting directly to Adidas Asia Pacific senior vice president Christophe Bezu.

"In view of the geographic and business differences, we will separate Adidas India from Southeast Asia and this will help us to fully maximise the growth potential of the Indian market," said Bezu. "I am confident in Andreas’ ability to take on the challenges ahead and guide Adidas to a leadership position in the growing India market."

Gellner has close to 10 years of experience in Adidas. He joined Adidas in 1995 in Germany. In October 2000, he became one of the youngest ever managing directors of Adidas when he was promoted to the role of managing director of Adidas Malaysia. Under his leadership, Adidas Malaysia has consistently been one of the top countries in Region Asia Pacific over the past few years, informed an official release.