R.G. Barry Corporation

R.G. Barry Corporation, stylized RG Barry, is a developer and marketer of footwear, handbags, and foot care products. It was founded by Florence Melton, Aaron Zacks, and Harry Streim in 1947 in Columbus, Ohio. It is known for its Dearfoams foam insole slippers, Baggallini, and Foot Petals brands. It is headquartered in Pickerington, Ohio.

R.G. Barry Corporation
IndustryFootwear
Founded1947 (1947)
Founders
Headquarters
Pickerington, Ohio
Key people
  • Robert Mullaney (CEO)
  • Tricia Bouras (President: Footwear)
  • Scott Erdman (President: Baggallini)
  • Kayla Boyet (President: Foot Petals)
  • Gary Binkoski (CFO, COO)
  • Dana Seguin (CMO)
Brands
  • Dearfoams
  • Baggallini
  • Foot Petals
Number of employees
154
Websitergbarry.com
Footnotes / references
[1]

History

In the 1940s, Florence Melton had developed a removable shoulder pad. She, her husband Aaron Zacks, and businessman Harry Streim started a business called Shoulda-Moulders Co, and worked on developing slippers, bathrobes, and pillows.[2][3] In 1947, the company was renamed to R.G. Barry, which was named after their children: Richard Streim, Gordon Zacks and Barry Zacks.[2] In 1949, R.G. Barry released Angel Treads, the first foam-cushioned, washable slipper, as one of their featured products. The Dearfoams slipper brand was introduced in 1958.[4][5] Following the launch of Dearfoams, R.G. Barry added operations in Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, and New York, in an effort to boost company business.[3]

R.G. Barry went public in 1962, and was listed in the American Stock Exchange.[6] In 1965, Gordon Zacks became the company president,[7] In 1974, they sold the Mushrooms brand sandals and footwear. They were the subject of a trademark lawsuit with Mushroom Makers, which sold women's sportswear.[8] Sales of Mushrooms were reported to have peaked at $120 million in 1978.[3] The company would later sell the Mushroom brand to United States Shoe Corporation in 1982.[4]

In 1979, Gordon Zacks became Chairman of the Board and CEO[9] Following a reorganization effort in the 1980s, Dearfoams launched a line of men's slippers and redesigned its women's line with an emphasis on “giftability” [3] R.G. Barry also broadened its retail distribution, branching out from department stores to mass merchandisers like Kmart and Wal-Mart. The company launched a series of television commercials promoting Dearfoams.[10] In 2004, Zacks stepped down from his position due to disappointing sales.[11][12] The company had also closed its plants in Mexico.[13] Thomas von Lehman served as the interim CEO, and in 2006, Greg Tunney, formerly with Phoenix Footwear, became the new CEO.[14] In February 2008, the company switched its listings from American Stock Exchange to NASDAQ (NASDAQ: DFZ).[6]

In January 2011, R.G. Barry acquired the Foot Petals brand, from a Long Beach-based insole maker . The company was founded by Tina Aldatz in 2001 with products for high heels wearers, and has since expanded to various footwear.[15][16][17] In March 2011, R.G. Barry acquired the Baggallini brand, from a maker of handbags and travel accessories, in a $33.8 million deal.[18] Baggallini was started by two Delta Airlines flight attendants Dixie Powers and Ann Simmons in 1996 when they were selling currency bags to airline employees in airport lounges.[19]

On September 3, 2014, R.G. Barry was taken private by Mill Road Capital and The Blackstone Group.[1][20][21] In November 2017, Greg Tunney stepped down as CEO.[22] Bob Mullaney, former COO of Shoes.com was named the CEO in December.[23][24] In 2017, the Pickerington City Council voted to help fund an upgrade to the company in order for it to keep its presence in the city and grow its employee base from 100 to 120 jobs.[25]

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References
  1. "R.G. Barry Corporation: Private Company Information". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  2. "R.G. Barry co-founder dies at 95". Columbus Business First. American City Business Journals. February 9, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  3. Grant, Tina, ed. (2006). R.G. Barry Corporation. International Directory of Company Histories. 17. Thomson Gale. ISBN 9781558623514. Retrieved 2019-03-12 – via Encyclopedia.com.
  4. Retro Staff (January 7, 2013). "Retro-Made: Dearfoams Slippers (aka Angel Treads)". Retro Planet. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  5. Miller, Stephen (February 13, 2007). "Florence Zack Melton, 95, Invented Foam Slippers". The New York Sun. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  6. "R.G. Barry stock moving to NASDAQ". Columbus Business First. American City Business Journals. February 26, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  7. Posner, Menachem (February 4, 2014). "Gordon Zacks, 80, Fostered Jewish Education for Youth and Adults". Chabad.org. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  8. "Mushroom Makers, Inc. v. RG Barry Corp., 441 F. Supp. 1220 (S.D.N.Y. 1977)". Retrieved 17 May 2019 – via Justia.
  9. Polk, Andy (February 5, 2014). "RG Barry Brands Chairman Gordon Zacks Dies Following Brief Illness". Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  10. Dougherty, Philip H. (June 4, 1984). "Advertising; Dearfoams Scheduling A TV Test". New York Times. p. D4. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  11. "Barry chief resigns". Columbus Business First. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  12. "Gordon Zacks, Republican Jewish Coalition co-founder, dies". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  13. "R.G. Barry to close Mexican plants after higher losses in '03". Columbus Business First. American City Business Journals. April 5, 2004. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  14. "US: Greg Tunney named as president of RG Barry Corporation". Just Style. Aroq Ltd. 8 February 2006. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  15. "R.G. Barry buys insole maker Foot Petals". Columbus Business First. American City Business Journals. January 28, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  16. PSTOL.com (27 April 2015). "Unshakable: Foot Petals Founder and Self-Made Millionaire Tina Aldatz Shares Her Secrets to Making it Big". Like a Boss Girls. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  17. Sullivan, Felicia C. (July 25, 2009). "Interview: Entrepreneur Tina Aldatz, President & Founder of Foot Petals". Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  18. Siemers, Erik (March 16, 2011). "Baggallini acquired in $33.8M deal". Portland Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  19. "Travel bag business started by two flight attendants finds success". Associated Press. December 22, 2003. Retrieved 17 May 2019 – via The Daily News (Longview).
  20. Eaton, Dan (May 2, 2014). "Dearfoams maker R.G. Barry to be acquired for $215M by private equity firm". Columbus Business First. American City Business Journals. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  21. Minchom, Clive (15 September 2013). "Mill Road Capital Bids $225 Million For RG Barry Founded by Florence Zacks Melton". Jewish Business News. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  22. Schneider-Levy, Barbara (20 November 2017). "RG Barry Brands CEO Greg Tunney Steps Down". FootwearNews. Retrieved 17 May 2019 – via Yahoo!.
  23. Dutter, Greg (January 30, 2019). "Man with a Plan". Footwear Plus Magazine. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  24. Schneider-Levy, Barbara (19 December 2017). "5 Lessons Former Shoes.com Exec Bob Mullaney Is Applying to His New Gig as President & CEO of R.G. Barry Corp". Footwear News. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  25. Hayes, Michael (November 14, 2017). "City leaders: Goal of pact with RG Barry is to keep, grow jobs". ThisWeek Community News. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
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