Frédéric Aird

Tel.:1-514-703-2068

Over my 28 years of work experience, I have been recognized for my managerial skills, my innovative approach and vision, and my ability to inspire. I have a bachelor's degree in Industrial design along with international work experience in Canada, Europe, USA and Asia. I owned my own successful design firm for 8 years and have worked for internationally renowned companies, including CCM (Canada), Mission Hockey (USA), Fila (USA) and Trudeau Corporation (Canada)

My design firm was selected by:

REEBOK Hockey to develop the concepts (product styling and technical materials) for the new NHL socks and protective pants.

EASTON SPORTS to develop a baseball helmet and improve the styling and technical features of the their Stealth baseball glove line. Gloves were marketed with strong demand.

MISSION HOCKEY to design skate components. Designed the new Flyweight skate with the wrap-around pattern concept. Reduced the weight of the skates by 20%.

PELICAN TOYS to develop plastic snow boards and sleds for children. Design and engineering. Product distributed in major retail stores with strong demand.

FERLAND D&R to design their recreational skate line.

VIC. Hockey pants and catalog. Major brand image upscale.

BOMBARDIER RECREATION PRODUCTS to develop a seat for a jet ski. Design and engineering. Product was marketed.

COMBI/ GORDINI. Winter earphone concept. Conceptual design.

NEW BALANCE / WARRIOR SPORTS to develop their first line of hockey protective gear, bags and gloves. Design, engineering and sourcing. Product was marketed, worn and endorsed by Aleksei Kovalev of the Montreal Canadiens.

REUSCH. Winter ski glove line. Product was marketed with positive recognition at Munich ISPO Show.

CHLOROPHYLE. Winter jacket hardware and accessories. Conceptual design.

CROCS / FURY to develop a full line of lacrosse, hockey, roller-skate, soccer, and goalie foam protective products. Design and engineering of 10 new innovative products with novel foam construction. Major brand upscale.

NAKONA. Baseball and protective garments.

WOLVERINE /MERRELL SEBAGO to propose concepts for their the future line of sailboat shoes.

TPS HOCKEY - Graphics for all products and undergarments. Major brand image upscale, sales increased by 80%.

GV SNOWSHOES to design new graphics and to find a new process to print large graphics. A first. Major brand image upscale resulting in sales doubling.

REDZ PAINTBALL. Graphics for high-end jerseys.

LP ROYER to design and engineering new work boots.

LEEDOM / 3PLAY to design a lightweight and ergonomic sled for children. Sold on the market.

My career highlights are:

-Founded Aird Sport Design

-Developed the TACK 952 skate in 1997, for which CCM increased its sales fore-cast by 50%.

-Designed the Mission Flyweight recognized as the most innovative hockey product in 2002, 5 stars in The Hockey News magazine. Published in Sports Illustrated. Increased the popularity of Mission skates in the NHL from 2 to 20 NHL players.

-Collaborated with many sports personalities including: Eric Weinrich, Niklas Sundstrom, Owen Nolan, Alexei Kovalev.

-Developed skates for Canadian National Woman’s Hockey Team with the help of Manon Rheaume and Hayley Wickenheiser.

-Developed the first 100% composite outsole for hockey skates

-Developed the first composite lightweight fabric “FIBERSKIN” for skate uppers

-Designed the adjustable PITCH skate blade

Acknowledged in the following magazines, newspapers and TV shows:

-La Presse

-The Montreal Gazette

-Sport Illustrated

-Hockey News

-Montreal TV show SALUT BONJOUR

My span of responsibilities have included:

- Project scheduling and management

- Design and development

- Product costing and testing

- Sourcing

- Custom product design for professional players

- Presentations to marketing and sales

- Advertising, communication and catalogs

- Created the corporate image and all advertising materials to attract partners