db7
10 years ago
August 26, 2013 - 7:05 AM EDT
Passport Brands, Inc. Appoints Previous Girbaud Head Robert Arnot as President
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Aug 26, 2013) - Passport Brands (PINKSHEETS: PBIX), the U.S. licensee of the iconic French designer brand Marithe + Francois Girbaud, announced today the appointment of Robert Arnot as President.
Mr. Arnot's executive career has included serving as Vice President of Denim at Perry Ellis International, CEO of U.S. designer brand Robert Graham and more than 10 years as CEO of Passport Brands (formerly, I.C. Isaacs & Co.). At I.C. Isaacs & Co. (Passport Brands), Arnot directed the growth of the Boss jeans brand from inception in 1990 to sales of $120 million in 1997. He also spearheaded the re-launch of Marithe & Francois Girbaud jeanswear brand in the U.S. in 1998, generating sales of $235 million from mid-1998 through 2002.
Mr. Arnot commented, "I am thrilled to again be associated with Marithe + Francois Girbaud, the most creative and inspiring designers in the industry. With the strategic initiatives we have in place, I look forward to being part of restoring Girbaud to prominence. Marithe and Francois are not only icons in the history of jeans wear but are also living legends that continue breaking new ground each season. Girbaud is created for people who want to wear something different and fresh, combining functionality with sophisticated sensibilities."
Marc Goldberg, Vice President of Sales at Passport Brands, commented, "After recently attending the Liberty Show in Las Vegas, NV, it is clear that market interest in the Marithe + Francois Girbaud brand remains high. Many people hold a spot in their hearts for Girbaud; remembering it as their first fashionable jean."
Girbaud, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, is widely credited with introducing faded denim washes in the 1970s -- including stone wash, sanding and whiskering. In the 1980s, the brand contributed to the development of the baggy jean. More recently, Girbaud has partnered with Jenologia to create the environmentally friendly "Watt Wash - G2." This advanced industrial approach utilizes ozone and lasers (air and light) to create worn and distressed looking jeans while saving 98% of the water used in the traditional denim washing techniques.
Passport Brands, Inc.
Passport Brands, Inc (formerly IC Isaacs) is a designer, merchandiser and marketer of the Marithe + Francois Girbaud designer brand under licenses for men's and women's apparel in the U.S. and Canada. In the future, the Company may look to acquire other niche brands in higher end categories and consumer segments through a combination of their internal merchandising and marketing skills and its financial and logistics partnership with Samsung. Effective September 5, please visit the new company website: mfgirbaud.us.com
The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated.
The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated.
For more information contact:
Investor
Kirin Smith
ProActive Capital
646 863 6519
ksmith@proactivecapital.com
Media
Sandra Lee
ProActive Capital
646 862 4608
slee@proactivecapital.com
Source: Marketwired (August 26, 2013 - 7:05 AM EDT)
News by QuoteMedia
ChuckD-MSB
13 years ago
BRANDINA THE ORIGINAL (U.S.) Announces 1st U.S. Location
2:40p ET March 9, 2011 (PR NewsWire)
Brandina The Original is coming to the U.S.! There will be a new tenant on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina this April. Currently, Bottega Brandina stores are found only in Italy and Spain.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110309/NY62282 )
The Bottega stores are reminiscent of the small shops and boutiques found in Europe specializing in just a few items. Bottega Brandina shops specialize in handbags and accessories, built around the relaxed fun-filled, authentic lifestyle of the 1950's Italian Riviera. Its products are crafted from the unique fabric originally used on the iconic sun loungers and beach chairs from that era.
In addition to Charleston, other Bottega locations currently under consideration are La Jolla and Laguna Beach California; Miami and Coral Gables, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Charleston will not be the first U.S. sighting of these unique bags. Brandina The Original was the exclusive handbag at the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards(R). Over the course of three days, musicians, actors, and press received their choice of bags from the GRAMMY(R) Gift Lounge.
Here's what they said:
"Joyful, sunny, easygoing vacation." - Esperanza Spaulding (Best New Artist)
"I love my Brandina!" - Marika Anthony-Shaw (Arcade Fire - Album of the Year)
"Really cute line, inventive." - Alex Band
"My wife will love this!" - Justin Guarini (American Idol)
"This one caught my eye" (when referring to the Penthouse bag in the Esedra fabric) - Martina McBride (singer)
"That's cool." "Great product." "So cute." - Jennifer Hudson (singer, actress)
"So, I could put suntan lotion all over my body and lay on the bag?" - Sean Kinney (Alice In Chains)
"It's so sweet." "I love it." "It's a nice bag, I would wear it." - Cyndi Lauper
"Oh fantastic! So pretty, so nice." - Elizabeth Rohm (actress, Law and Order)
"That's a great idea" (when referring to the unique sun-lounger fabric on the bag) - Greg Grunberg (TV show Heros)
"It's so cute." - Nicole Ari Parker
"They're all great, I would take every color!" - Alison Sweeney (actress, host of Biggest Loser)
"Oh, that's kinda cool." - Herbie Hancock (pianist, composer, bandleader)
"How fun!" "Fantastic, I love it!" "I'll be rockin' the blue" - Taylor Dayne (singer)
"That's really nice." - Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
"Wonderful!" - Yolanda Adams (singer)
"Love it...and the bag, love it!" - Shanola Hampton
"They're sick!" - Winston Marshall (Mumford & Sons)
"Really looking forward to trying one of the helmets on." (when referring to the Brandina scooter helmet) - Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons)
"It's badass!" - Shar Jackson (actress)
"I'm going to Cabo with my bag." - Justin Rivers (musician)
"I like the Brandina towel." - Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters)
"That's awesome!" "I think it's a great idea! They are incredibly tough." "It's heaven for me, I lose my keys all the time." (when referring to the trademark ring pull designed for every bag) - Jeremy Davis (Paramore)
"Love Brandina, what more can I say?" - Taylor York (Paramore)
"This is great stuff, it's really great to see this!" - Jay Bentley (Bad Religion)
Individual photos are available from Wire Image at www.wireimage.com, search "Grammy Gift Lounge."
Stay current and up to date by following us online and socially:
www.facebook.com/brandinatheoriginalus
@brandinaus on Twitter
www.brandinatheoriginalusblog.com
www.brandinatheoriginal.us
Passport Brands, Inc.
Passport Brands, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PBIX) is a designer, merchandiser and marketer of upper-end niche branded apparel and accessories sold in leading department and specialty stores. The company operates a disciplined and focused marketing and sourcing platform for a diverse growing portfolio of both licensed and owned brands. U.S. marketed brands currently include the "European Blue Line" ofMarithe & Francois Girbaud for young men, Flow Society, authentic lacrosse lifestyle gear for young men, women and boys, and Brandina The Original, an Italian based lifestyle brand focusing on the handbag and accessory categories for women. The company is growing a stable of sustainable niche brands across higher end categories and consumer segments through a combination of their internal merchandising and marketing skills and its financial and logistics partnership with Samsung. For more information please visit the company web site at www.passportbrandsinc.com; www.liveontheflygirbaud.com; www.flowsocietylacrosse.com; www.brandinatheoriginal.us.
The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated.
SOURCE Brandina The Original
ChuckD-MSB
13 years ago
Flow Society Announces Brand Collaboration With Connor Martin
9:55a ET April 6, 2011 (PR NewsWire)
Flow Society, a brand of authentic lacrosse lifestyle gear for young men, women and boys, announced today that it has signed an exclusive marketing and product collaboration deal with Connor Martin. Mr. Martin, who currently plays for the Colorado Mammoth and the Denver Outlaws, had an outstanding college career at Chapman University. He is well known in lacrosse community for his on field lacrosse skills as well as his original music, videos and strong internet presence. His "Con bro Chill" personality is a favorite among young lacrosse players and is regularly played on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Connor will act as the primary brand ambassador for Flow Society and will handle personal appearances, autograph signings, exclusive videos and camp appearances for the Flow Society Tour of events throughout the lacrosse season. Additionally, the company will develop and market an exclusive collaboration line of signature apparel and gear that will be co-branded with Flow Society and the celebrity himself.
Connor Martin explained the partnership by saying, "From my head to my toes I can't feel my legs! That is how excited I am to be a part of Flow Society. They are a brand that aligns very well with what I do as an athlete and with my Con Bro Chill nonsense. The way they love our game, have fun and deliver loud, bright colored gear makes my head spin with all of the possibilities and fun we are going to have. At the end of the day, they want to support me being me, and I'm ecstatic about that. This is going to be Boom Town."
"Having Connor join our Flow Society team adds to our authentic position in the lacrosse segment and provides us a presence in the fashion, music and video arenas. Connor will play a major role in keeping us in touch with the target consumer as well as communicating our brand personality to this audience. We are honored to bring Connor into our brand family," stated Bob Stec, CEO of Passport Brands, the parent company for Flow Society.
The partnership kicked off at the Big City Classic at the Meadowlands on April 3 and will continue throughout the lacrosse season. The product line is in development and is expected to launch in key retailers for Spring 2012.
Flow Society brand is a division of Passport Brands, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PBIX). Passport Brands is a design, merchandising and marketing company that specializes in upper end niche branded apparel and accessories. The company operates a disciplined and focused marketing and sourcing platform for a diverse and growing portfolio of brands. Currently, the company operates the Marithe+Francois Girbaud jeans line for young men, Flow Society brand of authentic lacrosse gear and Brandina The Original line of handbags and accessories for women. For more information please visit the company web site at www.passportbrandsinc.com; www.flowsocietylacrosse.com; www.brandinatheoriginal.us; www.liveonthelfygirbaud.com.
SOURCE Passport Brands, Inc.
ChuckD-MSB
14 years ago
NEW YORK, March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandina The Original is coming to the U.S.! There will be a new tenant on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina this April. Currently, Bottega Brandina stores are found only in Italy and Spain.
(Photo: Login )
The Bottega stores are reminiscent of the small shops and boutiques found in Europe specializing in just a few items. Bottega Brandina shops specialize in handbags and accessories, built around the relaxed fun-filled, authentic lifestyle of the 1950's Italian Riviera. Its products are crafted from the unique fabric originally used on the iconic sun loungers and beach chairs from that era.
In addition to Charleston, other Bottega locations currently under consideration are La Jolla and Laguna Beach California; Miami and Coral Gables, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Charleston will not be the first U.S. sighting of these unique bags. Brandina The Original was the exclusive handbag at the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards®. Over the course of three days, musicians, actors, and press received their choice of bags from the GRAMMY® Gift Lounge.
Here's what they said:
"Joyful, sunny, easygoing vacation." - Esperanza Spaulding (Best New Artist)
"I love my Brandina!" - Marika Anthony-Shaw (Arcade Fire β Album of the Year)
"Really cute line, inventive." - Alex Band
"My wife will love this!" - Justin Guarini (American Idol)
"This one caught my eye" (when referring to the Penthouse bag in the Esedra fabric) β Martina McBride (singer)
"That's cool." "Great product." "So cute." - Jennifer Hudson (singer, actress)
"So, I could put suntan lotion all over my body and lay on the bag?" - Sean Kinney (Alice In Chains)
"It's so sweet." "I love it." "It's a nice bag, I would wear it." β Cyndi Lauper
"Oh fantastic! So pretty, so nice." β Elizabeth Rohm (actress, Law and Order)
"That's a great idea" (when referring to the unique sun-lounger fabric on the bag) β Greg Grunberg (TV show Heros)
"It's so cute." β Nicole Ari Parker
"They're all great, I would take every color!" β Alison Sweeney (actress, host of Biggest Loser)
"Oh, that's kinda cool." β Herbie Hancock (pianist, composer, bandleader)
"How fun!" "Fantastic, I love it!" "I'll be rockin' the blue" - Taylor Dayne (singer)
"That's really nice." β Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
"Wonderful!" β Yolanda Adams (singer)
"Love itβ¦and the bag, love it!" β Shanola Hampton
"They're sick!" β Winston Marshall (Mumford & Sons)
"Really looking forward to trying one of the helmets on." (when referring to the Brandina scooter helmet) β Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons)
"It's badass!" β Shar Jackson (actress)
"I'm going to Cabo with my bag." β Justin Rivers (musician)
"I like the Brandina towel." β Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters)
"That's awesome!" "I think it's a great idea! They are incredibly tough." "It's heaven for me, I lose my keys all the time." (when referring to the trademark ring pull designed for every bag) β Jeremy Davis (Paramore)
"Love Brandina, what more can I say?" β Taylor York (Paramore)
"This is great stuff, it's really great to see this!" β Jay Bentley (Bad Religion)
Individual photos are available from Wire Image at WireImage.com ? The Largest Entertainment Photo & Video Archive, search "Grammy Gift Lounge."
Stay current and up to date by following us online and socially:
Brandina the Original (US) | Facebook
@brandinaus on Twitter
Brandina the Original US
Brandina US
Read more: BRANDINA THE ORIGINAL (U.S.) Announces 1st U.S. Location - Press Release - Digital Journal
Superfly15
14 years ago
In between the tumbleweeds...
Interline Brands Announces Pending Departure of Founding Board Member
GlobeNewswireInterline Brands, Inc. (NYSE:IBI) ("Interline" or the "Company"), a leading distributor and direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations products, today announced that one of its directors, Ernest Jacquet, has informed the Company that he will not seek re-election to the Board of Directors following the expiration of his current term, which expires at the conclusion of the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May. Mr. Jacquet stated that his decision would allow him more time to focus on his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Passport Brands, Inc., a designer, merchandiser and marketer of upper-end niche branded apparel and accessories. Michael Grebe, Interline's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Ernest is a founding member of the Company's Board of Directors. He has served as a director for Interline and our corporate predecessor since 1995, including serving as Chairman from June 2004 to December 2006. Throughout his more than 15 years of service to the Company, Ernest has made innumerable and important contributions. In particular, he was instrumental in bringing Interline public and helping shape the Company's growth and acquisition strategies. Although his presence will be missed, he leaves a legacy of passion and commitment to creating shareholder value that will carry forward in all of us that have had the pleasure and honor to work with him."
Mr. Grebe continued, "On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Company, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ernest for his many years of dedicated service to Interline Brands. We thank Ernest for his leadership, counsel, and commitment to our Board and Interline, and we wish him all the best with his new business endeavor."
Mr. Jacquet currently serves as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee of Interline's Board of Directors, and will continue in that role until his term as a director expires.
About Interline
Interline Brands is a leading distributor and direct marketer with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. Interline Brands provides maintenance, repair and operations products to a diversified customer base made up of facilities maintenance professionals, professional contractors, and specialty distributors primarily throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean. For more information, visit the Company's website at Interline Brands.
This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, GlobeNewswire - Press Release Distribution - EDGAR Filings - Video News Releases
SOURCE: Interline Brands, Inc.
CONTACT: Lev Cela 904-421-1441
ChuckD-MSB
14 years ago
Brandina The Original Launches U.S. Presence at the GRAMMY Awards® Gift Lounge
SOURCE Passport Brands, Inc.
NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandina The Original announced the launch of its U.S. marketing campaign in conjunction with the official 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards® Gift Lounge. Music's Biggest Night® will be held on Sunday, February 13 and broadcast live on the CBS Network from 8 β 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The brand will present its product line of handbags and accessories exclusively to presenters and performers. Brandina is one of only 20 brands exclusively selected to present their brands/products in conjunction with this year's show.
Among the scheduled list of high visibility presenters and performers are Eminem, Cee Lo Green, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Usher.
Brandina is built around the relaxed, fun-filled, authentic lifestyle of the 1950's Italian Riviera. Its products are crafted from the unique fabric originally used on the iconic sun loungers and beach chairs of that era. The modern color and patterns of the brand are the brainchild of Italian designer Marco Morosini. Morosini recently teamed up with U.S. partner Passport Brands, Inc. to bring the brand to the U.S.
Bob Stec, CEO Passport Brands, stated, "We are very excited to have been able to team up with such a prestigious and high profile event to launch our brand in the U.S. market. It is a dream come true to be able to present our brand one on one with such an amazing array of influential talent in world of music and fashion."
"Our goal is always to share unique finds and undiscovered treasures with the star-studded list of visitors to our GRAMMY Gift Lounge," says Distinctive Assets' founder Lash Fary. "This iconic Italian brand is a perfect fit for the jet-set lifestyle of the celebrities who will be scooping up Brandina's fabulous and fun handbags." Distinctive Assets manages and creates the Official Backstage Talent Gift Lounge.
Company operated retail boutiques, named Bottega Brandina, are scheduled to open in April of 2011. Actual locations have not yet been announced but La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Coral Gables, Miami, Charleston, and Las Vegas are under consideration.
Follow Brandina The Original Socially:
http://www.brandinatheoriginal.us/
Facebook: Brandina The Original (US)
Twitter: BrandinaUS
Blog: http://www.brandinatheoriginalusblog.com/
Passport Brands, Inc.
Passport Brands, Inc. (PBIX) is a designer, merchandiser and marketer of upper-end niche branded apparel and accessories sold in leading department and specialty stores. The company operates a disciplined and focused marketing and sourcing platform for a diverse growing portfolio of both licensed and owned brands. U.S. marketed brands currently include the "European Blue Line " of Marithe & Francois Girbaud for young men, Flow Society, authentic lacrosse lifestyle gear for young men, women and boys, and Brandina The Original, an Italian based lifestyle brand focusing on the handbag and accessory categories for women. The company is growing a stable of sustainable niche brands across higher end categories and consumer segments through a combination of their internal merchandising and marketing skills and its financial and logistics partnership with Samsung. For more information please visit the company web site at www.passportbrandsinc.com; http://liveontheflygirbaud.com/; www.flowsocietylacrosse.com; Brandina US
The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated.
©2010 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.
Superfly15
14 years ago
This post is a work in process as it is alot of work, but it will be added to over time as more of the puzzle comes together and ultimately when ISAC (PBIX) re-emerges and likely re-lists on the NASDAQ.
This company was formerly known as I.C. Isaacs & Company, which was a very old retail clothing company, and a primary maker of garment/uniform manufacturing. To reflect the company's move away from its traditional roots, management decided to rename the company Passport Brands, Inc, which reflects the company's move into the design+marketing of high end niche products, most of which are international.
Former ISAC earnings guidance from 2006 - a year before the company went "dark."
"I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc. Sees FY 2006 EPS At Lower End Of Previous Range-Monday, 13 Nov 2006 04:30pm EST
I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc. announced that it is likely to report
earnings towards the low end of the previously issued range of $0.76
to $0.79 per diluted share for fiscal 2006."
www.reuters.com/finance/stock...20061113213000
There are three current segments of Passport Brand's business.
1) Marithe & Francois Girbaud (the company's legacy brand)
http://liveontheflygirbaud.com/
I.C. Isaacs acquired the United States license Girbaud over a decade ago from VF corporation (NYSE:VFC), and still holds it to this day.
http://www.techagreements.com/agreement-preview.aspx?num=573650&title=IC%20Isaacs%20&%20-%20Girbaud%20Distribution%20Agreement
History of Girbaud clothing
http://www.answers.com/topic/marith-fran-ois-girbaud
Girbaud clothinghttp://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/europe/womenrunway/maritheandfrancoisgirbaud/
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=457847294570&set=a.148353164570.111164.95526754570
Note: Elle is one of the bigger fashion magazines
This brand has history with the current CEO, Robert Stec. Back in the early 1990's, Mr. Stec took control of the Girbaud division and built it into a powerhouse, and was the fastest growing segment of VF Corp.
1989 : Stec appointed head of Girbaud North America
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-8078439.html
1993 : Stec resigns to join Hat Brands
www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14695287.html
Article explaining Stec's performance while at VF managing Girbaud
http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-north-carolina/386535-1.html
Article explaining Stec's overall marketing prowess, calling him the "Vince Lombardi of marketing."
http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-north-carolina/386535-1.html
Here's a bunch more on Stec, he really is the real deal from all that has been found.
1999 : Appointed CEO of Lexington Home brands :
http://www.lexington.com/
In 1999, same year as Bob took the reins, they signed on with a company called Viewpoint, who was trying to get a brand of furniture going that had gone through a rough first several years, the creators couldn't hardly get it going for a long time.
This is out of a paper that details the history of the brand :
(If you read the paper you will see this is significant).
The gorilla of all Tommy licensees is Lexington Home Brands, a North Carolina company that signed on with Viewpoint in 1999. In only a year and a half on the market, Lexington reports its Tommy Bahama furnishings have brought in more than $100 million in sales. But the Viewpoint guys haven't let Lexington president Bob Stec get to nine digits in sales the easy way. "The integrity of the brand positioning is paramount to them," Stec says. "If they saw a design that didn't fit Tommy's lifestyle, even if they thought it would do volume, they didn't do it. From an upholstery standpoint, they had a very clear view of what the fabrics should look and feel like. To them, the definition of the brand was so clear."
Top link on this google search :
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&biw=1639&bih=771&q=a+brand+is+born+viewpoint&aq=o&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=1&cad=b
Round two for Bob Stec, and he conquered this task. Of course, Tommy Bahama wasn't the only thing that Lexington sells, but it's just one of the brands.
2002 : He, along with others purchases Lexington Home Brands because they were so successful
Lexington Home Brands is being acquired by a group of the unit's senior executives, led by Bob Stec, president and CEO of LHB, and investment advisors Harris Williams & Co. LHB is a marketer and manufacturer of branded case goods and upholstery.
"The Lexington Home Brands team has pursued this transaction in order to accelerate its strategy of building a loyal branded consumer base through committed retail relationships with top retailers nationwide," Cole stated.
www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/4293203-1.html
Notice a similarity here? "Investment Advisors"..... Passport Brands just appointed a Chairman of the Board who took a majority shareholder position in the company that has ties to the world of money. Bob pulled some strings, got someone to bite, and they took over LHB, just like it appears they did with ISAC.
2006 : Bob Stec resigns as CEO from LHB to spend time with his family.
LEXINGTON, N.C., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexington Home Brands ("Lexington") today announced that Mr. Robert ("Bob") Stec will be stepping down from his position as President and CEO of Lexington after a short and smooth transition period. Bob has decided to spend more time with his family, but will continue to be involved with Lexington as an active investor. A national search has been initiated for Bob's replacement.
In the interim, Mr. Asher Lepkin has been named Interim CEO and will work with the existing management team to implement the growth strategy begun under Bob Stec's leadership when Lexington was acquired by Sun Capital Partners, Inc. ("Sun Capital") in April 2002. Lexington Home Brands is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments of market-leading companies.
Bob Stec, President and CEO, Lexington Home Brands, stated, "I would like to thank Sun Capital and the management team and employees of Lexington for their support and dedicated effort in re-invigorating one of the most powerful brands in furniture. I look forward to my involvement as an active investor and am pleased that Lexington will continue to develop the strategic operating plan and brand strategy that we have outlined. It is now time to move on to the next phase of my life and focus on family matters."
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lexington+Home+Brands+Announces+the+Appointment+of+an+Interim+CEO.-a0146539699
2007 : Bob Stec is appointed CEO of I.C. Isaacs & Company, a company that had struggled with survival/image for years. The company goes into the dark soon after that, and now is about to re-emerge.
Rizzo Out, Stec In as Isaacs CEO
April 5, 2007
NEW YORK β Peter Rizzo resigned Thursday as chairman, chief executive officer and a director of I.C. Isaacs & Co. Robert Stec, a director of the company since 2002, has been appointed interim CEO of the company, which designs and markets François & Marithé Girbaud jeanswear and sportswear in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Rizzo joined the company as CEO in December 2003 and became chairman and a director in 2004 after serving for two years as a consultant to the Neiman Marcus Group. He was president and vice chairman of Neimanβs Bergdorf Goodman unit between 1999 and 2002 and president of Polo Ralph Laurenβs retail group for two years prior to that. Earlier in his career, he spent 19 years with Barneys New York, where his last post was executive vice president and head merchant.
Stec has had a long-running relationship with the Girbaud business and served as president of VF Corp.βs Girbaud division between 1989 and 1993 and as a consultant to the Girbaud business in 1997 and 1998. Concurrently, he was president of London Fog Industries.
Stec left the apparel industry in 1999 to become president and CEO of Lexington Home Brands.
www.mrketplace.com/1279/rizzo-out-stec-in-as-isaacs-ceo/
One last thing - more reason to believe he's doing the same strategy again here :
Bob Stec was new to the furniture industry when he became CEO of Lexington Home Brands in 1999. As an executive with VF Corp. in Greensboro, a company that brands its products aggressively with names such as Wrangler, Lee and Vanity Fair, Stec said he saw the importance of making consumers care who made their furniture.
"This was a company that spent its time manufacturing products and selling them to retailers, with no emphasis on the consumer," Stec said. Through direct consumer research and the acquisition of partner brands such as Bob Timberlake, Tommy Bahama and Nautica, he said Lexington has "evolved into being a branded company from a no-name, with a higher level of emphasis on the whole marketing mix."
http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2006/02/13/story5.html
2) Flow Society - Company owned & designed brand
A few products :
www10.shopping.com/flow-society-lacrosse-pinnies/products
A point of view from a lacrosse website out by their home base in NY
http://www.laxjournal.com/news/2010/11/23_the_right_gifts_make_for_a.php
Flow Society at work (Syracuse Lacrosse team)
http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/tags/flow-society
3) Brandina - Licensed upscale Italian brand. This brand is new to the portfolio, and not much information is available yet about it.
http://www.brandinatheoriginal.it/
Marco Morosini is the creator of the brand, also works with Ferrari on some projects
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marco-morosini-designer-for-ferrari-and-italian-fashion-interview
Distribution Partner :Samsung SCTA
Company site
www.samsungamerica.com/graphics/aboutscta.asp
They have some pretty big clients too...looks like they may own/design FUBU completely themselves.
http://www.samsungamerica.com/graphics/fashion.asp
Some information found about a board member, Jonathon Spier, as well as Brandina's new marketing/brand development manager.
Jonathon Spier
Former Ernst & Young Entrepeneur of the Year candidate before his founded company, Apparel Holdings Group, was bought outhttp://www.intellidyn.com/company/news/pr_052605.html
Leading off was Jonathan Spier, President/CEO of Apparel Holdings Group, who told of resuscitating a company that was on a fast track to doom, losing nine million dollars on sales of fifty million, and with no systems for effectively managing the company. What a difference a new perspective makes! The company now produces in twenty-four overseas countries, sells into every tier of distribution from K-Mart to Federated and May Company stores. Producing their own labels such as Caribbean Joe and Periscope, as well as private missy labels for several customers, sales are now expected to reach $600 to $700 million in 2004. How did they do it? Obviously decisions to do things differently drove the direction taken. From an investment banking background, the advantages of technology were well know to the investor group. In the last three years the company has implemented sales force automation by Computer Generated Solutions, Groupware using Lotus Domino and Notes, to eliminate lab dips and the delays in color approvals, spectophotometers are used to speed color values around the world, obtaining approvals in as little as one day where previously it was not unusual to lose six weeks in color approvals. The company distributes from three warehouses in Florida , New Jersey and California , with three offices in Manhattan .
www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/techcorner/feb2004.html
Scott A. Sullens
Vice President Marketing & Brand Development for Brandina
Passport Brands INC
(Apparel & Fashion industry)
January 2011 β Present (1 month)
http://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsullens
This is where he worked in the past :
Vice President Sales
Lexington Home Brands
(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Furniture industry)
December 2004 β December 2006 (2 years 1 month)
(same time as Robert Stec)
Responsible for est. $45m in annual sales and managed 15 direct reports of a management owned company focused on mid to high-end furniture manufacturing and consumer lifestyle brands that include Tommy Bahama®, Liz Claiborne®, Nautica®, Trump Home®, Palmer Home®, Bob Timberlake®, and Woolrich®.
Timeline of Events
November 10, 2010 : I.C. Isaacs Retains Cameron Associates as Investor Relations Advisor
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ic-isaacs-retains-cameron-associates-as-investor-relations-advisor-107046558.html
Of note in the PR :
"Over the last three years, Isaacs has repositioned its primary brand,
Marithe' + Francois Girbaud, an international French-based clothing
company with close to $300 million in annual sales into a positive
position in the young men's market segment,"
Internally we
have established a new business platform, with an eye toward growing our portfolio of quality brand offerings.
"In the months and quarters ahead, we expect to grow revenue and to
establish a profitable and solid enterprise for our shareholders.
November 23, 2010 : I.C. Isaacs and Samsung Announce Addition of New Brand to Partnership (FlowSociety)
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ic-isaacs-and-samsung-announce-addition-of-new-brand-to-partnership-110129909.html
Of note in the PR :
Under terms of the partnership, a long term arrangement, first launched in 2009, Samsung replaced Isaacs' in-house logistics and warehousing and provides working capital financing for the company's two brands, Marithe+Francois Girbaud and Flow Society.
After a successful test marketing in both upscale specialty stores and Dick's Sporting Goods, Flow Society is being rolled out nationally beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. The product, which consists of patterned shorts, t-shirts, socks, hoodies and compression shorts is available in mens, boys and women's size ranges. "Initial consumer acceptance to the brand and the innovativeness of the product have been way above expectations," Stec added.
December 14, 2010 : Ernest Jacquet Elected Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of I.C. Isaacs
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ernest-jacquet-elected-non-executive-chairman-of-the-board-of-ic-isaacs-inc-2010-12-14
Of note in the PR :
Ernest J. Jacquet, 63, a long time investment banker and private equity fund manager, has been elected non-executive chairman of the board of the company. Mr. Jacquet holds a majority controlling interest of I.C. Isaacs, and has served on the company's board since 2008."
As the majority shareholder, Ernest understands and appreciates the potential of our unique platform for upper-end niche branded apparel and accessories," said Bob Stec, CEO of I.C. Isaacs.
"Under Bob Stec's leadership, Isaacs has re-established and repositioned its core brand and expanded its brand portfolio, strengthened its financial footing and created a solid foundation for future growth," said Ernest Jacquet. "Isaacs is entering a period of great opportunity and promise, and I am excited to be part of the next chapter in its long history."
January 6, 2011 : Name change from I.C. Isaacs to Passport Brands Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ic-isaacs--company-inc-name-changed-to-passport-brands-inc-113034364.html
Of note in the PR :
The entire staff has worked extremely hard over the last three years to the point where backlog year over year is more than double and we can now clearly focus on our new direction and the growth and development of the Passport Brands platform and the continued improvement of our operating results."
January 10, 2011 : Passport Brands, Inc. Signs Partnership with Brandina The Original
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=xprnw.20110110.NY27483&show_article=1
Of note in the PR :
Bob Stec, Passport Brands CEO added, "Brandina the original is a perfect fit for Passport Brands' premium niche brand strategy. Marco and Barbara have done an amazing job of creating and executing a true lifestyle concept that is fresh, exciting and fun. We believe that Brandina will be a long term lifestyle concept in this country and around the world."
Passport Brands expects to open the first several stores in second quarter of 2011 in high traffic destination cities around the U.S. The company is also planning the use of e-commerce, pop up stores and mobile retailing to quickly expand the brand.