R.G. Barry Corp., which owns the Dearfoams slippers brand, will close a Texas distribution facility under an expanded four-year deal with its logistics supplier. UTi Worldwide Inc. will take over all warehouse and distribution duties for footwear products through the end of 2016.
It also owns the Terrasoles and Superga shoe brands, Foot Petals premium insoles and comfort products, and Baggallini handbags, totes and travel accessories.
Under the new arrangement, warehousing and distribution services for
Dearfoams slippers, and all of RG Barry's footwear products, will be
handled through UTi's Fontana, CA, distribution center. UTi's Fontana
operation currently handles logistics services for about 80 percent of
the Company's footwear business.
RG Barry announced to its employees on Aug. 25 that it intends to close
its 173,000 square-foot leased distribution facility it operates in San
Angelo, Texas, no later than May 31, 2012. The company expects to incur
only minimal, non-material costs related to the closing. The San Angelo
facility employs approximately 30 people.
According to RG Barry Senior Vice President Global Operations Glenn
Evans, “We continue refining our best-in-class distribution system. From
a long-range strategic viewpoint, we gain added flexibility, speed to
market and the ability to better meet our customers' needs by expanding
our existing partnership with a logistics leader like UTi. They have
been a great business resource for us for more than six years and we
believe that this decision significantly increases our competitive edge
by consolidating all of our footwear distribution adjacent to the port
where our goods are received.”
Gerald Perritt, Senior Vice President Contract Logistics, Americas
Region stated, “Throughout our relationship with RG Barry, they have
been a true partner. We are looking forward to the opportunity to
continue to deliver even more innovation and value to their supply
chain.”
