Filip Francke will join Ravensburger AG’s executive management team as CEO of its recently established North America division. Ravensburger North America brings together three toy brands—Ravensburger, Wonder Forge, and BRIO—under one roof.
Ravensburger will leverage Francke’s expertise to implement a growth plan for the U.S. designed to expand business in this key market. Ravensburger North America division offers products for all ages and spans key toy industry categories including puzzles, games, playsets, wooden toys, and arts and crafts.
Francke previously was general manager of Helly Hansen U.S. and South America, and implemented strategic marketing programs to double revenue. With expertise spanning marketing, sales and product development, Francke has managed large-scale businesses and teams at Electrolux Home Products Corp. and The SAS Group/Scandinavian Airlines.
Francke joins the existing Ravensburger North America executive management team and will be based in the company’s Seattle office. The executive team includes Thomas Kaeppeler as President of Ravensburger North America, overseeing the Newton, New Hampshire-based sales and product development teams; Joerg Starke as CFO, and Florian Baldenhofer as EVP, responsible for the games division. Jacobe Chrisman, founder of Wonder Forge and former CEO, will act as a senior advisor to the company, focusing on new product development initiatives.
