CooperVision Expands Asia Pacific Management Team

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To support its considerable investment in the Asia Pacific region, CooperVision, Inc. announced a new president , a new general manager for China, and expanded responsibilities for a current member of the Asia Pacific leadership team. The company reports the following appointments: Ed Northup has joined CooperVision as President, Asia Pacific Region; Weilin Jin has been named General Manager of CooperVision China, and Guy Whittaker, Vice President of Marketing for the Asia Pacific Region, adds responsibility as General Manager of Singapore, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"CooperVision has experienced exponential growth in the Asia Pacific region, increasing revenue by 36 percent year over year in fiscal year 2011," said Dennis Murphy, EVP Global Sales and Marketing, CooperVision.  "Securing the number 2 market position for daily disposable lenses in Japan is just one of our many accomplishments in this region, and with this management team in place, I'm certain we will open new growth opportunities for CooperVision throughout the region."

Ed Northup joined CooperVision as president of the Asia Pacific Region. He brings to the company both extensive international and general management experience in the medical device industry. Prior to joining CooperVision, Mr. Northup was senior vice president for Thoratec Corporation, and chief operating officer for Mentor Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson Company. He also held several global positions at Boston Scientific including president of the international and pain management businesses during periods of very significant growth as well as both commercial and operational roles with Baxter Healthcare. Mr. Northup has a Bachelor of Pre Med Biology degree from Santa Clara University.

Weilin Jin brings considerable experience in both operational management and commercial retail sales to CooperVision, he joined the company in May 2012 as general manager of CooperVision China. Most recently, Mr. Jin was country manager at FedEx Office China where he oversaw the commercial organization, direct sales team, and chain of stores that provided a retail outlet for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipping; as well as printing, copying, and binding services. Mr. Jin has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in International Trade from Southeast University, Nanjing, China, and an EMBA from China Europe International Business School.

Guy Whittaker, a 15-year veteran at CooperVision, will take on additional responsibilities to his current role as vice president of marketing for the Asia Pacific Region, serving as general manager of Singapore, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Mr. Whittaker has held several positions within CooperVision, serving as director of global marketing, as well as head of European marketing and European professional services. Mr. Whittaker has extensive experience in the contact lens business. As a UK-licensed optometrist, he has worked in hospital practice, private optometric practice, and private ophthalmological practice. He holds an MBA from Durham University Business School.

About CooperVision

CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. Dedicated to continually bringing a refreshing perspective to the contact lens experience for practitioners and patients, CooperVision specializes in lenses for astigmatism, presbyopia, and ocular dryness. The company routinely collaborates with eye care professionals in the research and development of relevant products. CooperVision manufactures a full array of monthly, two-week, and daily disposable contact lenses featuring advanced materials and optics. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

SOURCE CooperVision