据悉日前美国著名的暴走鞋生产商Heelys在青岛成立办事处，这是它首次在美国领土以外开设办事处。此办事处主要负责采购工作，其中包括产品品质管理、议价、物流和产品研发等。除此之外，还被授权进行产品改良，同时加强与分销商的沟通交流，争取达到对产品控制最大化。Heelys青岛办事处已在1月2日开始试营业，24日将会举行盛大的成立仪式。
“青岛办事处的成立对于我们公司的发展具有里程牌的意义。这将有利于Heelys加强与供货商的磋商，增大对产品研发过程的控制力度，同时提高了我们的国际影响力。”Heelys 董事长兼CEO Michael Staffaroni 对此表示道，“在过去的七年里，Heelys发展很快。新的运营方针会继续巩固我们良好的发展势头，不断提高产品质量，向年轻人提供最优质的运动鞋服。”
Heelys是美国6000多个店铺的供货商，同时产品遍及北美、南美、欧洲、亚太地区及中东等70多个国家。
Heelys主管采购的副董事长Will Albers将负责青岛办事处的工作，同时聘请13名全职员工。Albers于2006年12月11日加入?Heelys公司，在鞋类行业从业24年之多，无论在采购，生产，还是产品研发方面都有丰富的经验，而且与中国大陆，台湾和韩国的重要合作伙伴打过9年多的交道。
原文：Heelys Opens Office in China
SportsOneSource Media Posted: 1/8/2008
Heelys, Inc. has opened its first representative office located in Qingdao, China. The new office, Heelys’ first company operation outside of the U.S., will serve multiple sourcing functions including quality control, price negotiation, logistics and product development. Additionally, the Qingdao office will allow for improved research and development, enhanced communication between Heelys and its distribution partners and maximize efficiencies giving Heelys more direct control over its sourcing. The office officially opened on Jan. 2, 2008. Heelys will host a grand opening party Jan. 24.
“The new Qingdao office marks a milestone for our company. Opening an office in China places Heelys in a position to strengthen sourcing negotiations, to take more control over the product development process and expand our global presence,” said Michael Staffaroni, president and CEO of Heelys, Inc. “Heelys has realized exponential growth in its seven years and the new operation further solidifies our continued commitment to maintaining the highest standards in developing quality youth footwear and sports apparel.”
Heelys serves more than 6,000 stores in the USA and more than 70 international markets across North America, Latin America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
The new office in Qingdao will employ 13 full-time staff and will be led by Will Albers, vice president of sourcing. Albers joined Heelys on December 11, 2006, and has more than 24 years of experience in the footwear industry in sourcing, manufacturing, and product development, including more than nine years working with key partners in China mainland, Taiwan and Korea.
