Apparel maker VF Corporation has announced that its president and chief operating officer Eric C Wiseman will become the company's chief executive officer, effective 1 January.

He will succeed CEO Mackey J McDonald, who will continue to serve as chairman of VF's board of directors.

The appointment gives Wiseman responsibility for VF's strategic direction, long-term growth plan and day-to-day operations, the company said.

As chairman, McDonald will remain involved on a full-time basis with acquisition identification, talent development programmes, customer relations and board management.

McDonald said: "As CEO, my primary objective has been to grow the company. We are in a great place in that VF's transformation to a global lifestyle apparel company is well underway and producing outstanding results for shareholders.

"We have achieved four consecutive years of record earnings and we anticipate another record year in 2007."

Wiseman has 29 years of experience in the apparel industry, having joined VF in 1995 as executive VP of JanSport. He has also held a number of leadership roles within and across VF's coalitions.

VF's principal brands include Wrangler, Lee, Riders, The North Face, Vans, Reef, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, JanSport, Napapijri, Nautica, Kipling, John Varvatos, 7 For All Mankind, Lucy, Majestic, Lee Sport and Red Kap.