2008-07-24 23:49:14 -
- Kellwood Company George Sokolowski, Chief Marketing Officer, 212-329-8080 Kellwood Company ("Kellwood"), a leading designer and marketer of women's and children's branded apparel products, today announced the appointment of Michael W. Kramer as President and CEO of Kellwood Company, Women's Clothing Business, effective August 18, 2008. A seasoned retail executive, with over 15 years of executive leadership experience, Kramer brings
a wealth of expertise in building highly-innovative organizations that focus on emerging consumer trends and markets. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Abercrombie & Fitch. Prior to that, Kramer was with Apple, Inc. where he served as Chief Financial Officer for Apple Retail and has held key financial leadership roles with The Limited, Pizza Hut, and Einstein Noah Bagel Corporation. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1987 and is a Certified Public Accountant. Kellwood is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. ("Sun Capital"), a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies.
As President and CEO, Kramer will be responsible for the overall growth and direction of the Women's Clothing Business which includes the design, marketing, and development of leading women's apparel brands including Vince(R), My Michelle(R), Phat Fashions(R), Sag Harbor(R), Briggs New York(R), and XOXO(R). He will oversee all aspects of business operations.
Kramer will assume his post from Robert C. Skinner, Jr., formerly Chairman, President and CEO, who will resign from Kellwood to pursue other interests. Christopher T. Metz, Managing Director, Sun Capital Partners, Inc. thanked Mr. Skinner for his contributions as CEO, stating, "Bob's leadership during this transition period has been very helpful in aligning Kellwood's senior management team around our core strategies and to initiating their execution. We wish him well."
According to Metz, "We are delighted to have Michael Kramer join our company. His retail and apparel expertise coupled with his dynamic leadership skills will play a key role as we begin to implement our strategic plan to further maximize the intrinsic values inherent in our apparel portfolio."
About Kellwood Company
Kellwood is a $1 billion leading women's apparel marketer. Specializing in branded products, the Company markets to all channels of distribution with products and brands tailored to each specific channel including Baby Phat(R), Phat Farm(R), Vince(R), Sag Harbor(R), Briggs New York(R) and Hollywould(R), as well as licensed brands XOXO(R) and David Meister(R). For more information, please visit www.kellwood.com.
About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 195 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $40.0 billion since Sun Capital's inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as affiliates with offices in London, Tokyo, Paris, Frankfurt, and Shenzhen. For more information, please visit www.SunCapPart.com.
Michael W. Kramer, 15-Year Retail Veteran
