R.G. Barry Corporation

CORPORATE OVERVIEW

R.G. Barry Corporation, the Dearfoams® company, is among the world's leading developers and marketers of accessory footwear, a retail category led by slippers, but one that also encompasses sandals, hybrid and active fashion footwear, slipper socks and hosiery. We control approximately 40% of the U.S. slipper market.

The Company serves a broad spectrum of U.S. retailers, from Nordstrom's to Wal-Mart, with a large family of proprietary, licensed and private label brands. We also supply some of North America's leading retailers with footwear under their own private labels.

Our growing family of accessory footwear brands includes:

  • Dearfoams®, the world's most recognized slipper brand
  • Terrasoles®, après anything hybrid footwear
  • Superga®, licensed canvas/active fashion footwear
  • Nautica®, licensed slippers for men, women and children
  • NCAA-licensed My College Footwear™
  • DF Sport™ and Dearfoams® NV active fashion footwear
  • DF Men®, DF Women®, Dearfoams Bliss™, Dreamtop™, Compacks by Dearfoams®, Softsoles™, Soluna®, EZfeet®, Utopia™, Angel Treads®, Soft Notes® and Solé slippers.

BACKGROUND

R.G. Barry Corporation has grown and changed many times since its founding in the 1940s as a maker of detachable shoulder pads for women's clothing. The Company introduced Angel Treads®, the world's first foam-soled, soft, washable slipper in 1947, and 10 years later, it literally created the accessory footwear business with its introduction of Dearfoams® slippers to department store hosiery and accessory departments.

In 2005, R.G. Barry Corporation reestablished its position of industry leadership with the completion of a successful 2-year turnaround of its business. Our reinvention included: exiting our manufacturing operations, implementing a flexible business and sourcing model; restoring financial stability and profitability; reducing operating costs; strengthening the senior management team; and developing and implementing a long-term growth strategy. The Turnaround Management Association, an international organization of business turnaround specialists, named R.G. Barry Corporation its 2006 mid-sized turnaround of the year, and our success story has been reported on by numerous financial, trade and general publications including Time magazine (6/4/2007).

CORE COMPETENCIES

As a category leader, we excel at many of the core competencies necessary for success in the accessory footwear business. These include:

  • Design and product development;
  • Sourcing quality and value;
  • Consumer brand marketing;
  • Retail category management;
  • Supply chain and logistics; and
  • Relationship building.

Some of the world's best retailers have recently recognized our leadership. Wal-Mart U.S. selected us as the category manager and sole supplier for their sizable replenishment slipper business. Our Utopia™ brand men's slippers team was named Target Corporation's 2008 Vendor of the Year in the men's essentials area. Kohl's Corporation named R.G. Barry and the Dearfoams® brand "Best In Class - Accessories" for 2008. And, Sears Holdings Corporation presented us with its coveted "Partners in Progress" award.

GROWTH STRATEGY

Beyond organic growth and taking market share from competitors within our existing businesses, the Company has developed a long-term growth strategy that focuses on:

  • Developing and introducing innovative new products;
  • Pursuing branding and licensing opportunities, domestically and internationally;
  • Acquisitions;
  • Capitalizing on untapped promotional, seasonal and accessory footwear product opportunities;
  • Entering retail venues where we have limited or no presence; and
  • Growing in specialty accessory footwear areas such as fashion, children's, outdoor, ASR, industrial, slipper socks and hosiery.

The framework upon which the Company plans to grow focuses on three main goals:

  • Building lasting relationships with our Customers by providing the best products, brands and value-added services;
  • Attracting, developing, retaining and energizing the best People by fostering a collaborative team environment; and
  • Consistently achieving top quartile performance for our Shareholders as measured by revenue/income growth, inventory productivity, expense management and earnings per share.

VALUES, BELIEFS, BEHAVIORS

At the real heart of our strategies for success are many of the values, beliefs and behaviors that our team members strive to exercise in both their business and personal lives. These values include:

  • Integrity - Acting only with the highest ethical standards;
  • Quality - Striving for excellence in all things;
  • Innovation - Encouraging creative thinking and intelligent risk taking;
  • Leadership - Achieving peak performance through leadership while recognizing the contributions and talents of all;
  • Teamwork - Collaborating, communicating opening and honestly with respect and fairness; and
  • Community - Caring about and being involved in our communities.

LOCATIONS

R.G. Barry Corporation is headquartered in the Columbus suburb of Pickerington. The company has administrative and/or sales offices in New York City, Hong Kong and Bentonville, Arkansas; and a company-operated distribution facility in San Angelo, Texas.

WEB SITES

To learn more about R.G. Barry Corporation, the Dearfoams® company, visit us at www.rgbarry.com; or visit our e-commerce sites at www.dearfoams.com, www.terrasoles.com or www.superga-usa.com.

DFZ TRADING INFORMATION

R.G. Barry Corporation has been a publicly traded company since 1962. Our common shares are principally traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol DFZ.

60 Day Guarantee Verisign Secure Site BizRate Top 35 Better Business Bureau
  Get updates on new products and special offers. Join our mailing list...