NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kellwood Company, a leading apparel manufacturer, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Marc Babins as President of Kellwood Western Region, the company’s largest operational unit, located in City of Industry, CA.
Marc will be responsible for Kellwood’s global supply chain including technical design, strategic sourcing, production, customer service, logistics and distribution management. Babins will partner with the Group and Division Presidents to drive the continued growth of the contemporary, junior, missy and private label businesses. Kellwood Western region is the company’s design and product development center as well as the distribution and logistics hub for all of its brands and labels. Babins will report directly to Kellwood’s Chief Executive Officer, Lynn Shanahan.
“We are delighted to have Marc join us at the helm of Kellwood Western Region, which is a critical component in fulfilling our strategic vision for the company,” said Kellwood CEO Lynn Shanahan. “Marc’s expertise adds value to Kellwood on many levels,” she continued. “He is an industry leader who has a proven track record of success in virtually all aspects of the apparel industry, including product development, sourcing, production, supply chain management and quality assurance. He also has significant experience as an entrepreneur leading his own company.”
Babins has held senior executive positions at several leading apparel companies, most recently as Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Product Development at Destination Maternity Corporation. In addition, Babins served as Senior Vice President, Product Development, Sourcing and Production for Aéropostale. At the Limited Stores division of Limited Brands, Babins was Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing. Prior to serving as Vice President of Knitwear Manufacturing and Product Development at Tommy Hilfiger, he was President and CEO of Southern Trading Company, a trading company he co-founded that serviced leading US active wear brands including Adidas, Converse, Champion and Land’s End. He also has substantial experience as an academic, and as a consultant to the government of Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion.
“It is an honor to join Kellwood, and help lead its global supply chain operations, where I believe I can positively impact the company and its brands,” Babins said. “In this position, not only can I tap into many aspects of my industry expertise, but I can also strengthen Kellwood’s value proposition, and help achieve its strategic goals.”
About Kellwood Company
Kellwood Company designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of premier contemporary fashion brands, junior and women’s fashion labels, and private label apparel. These brands cover a broad range of consumer lifestyles including Rebecca Taylor, Sam Edelman, XOXO, My Michele, Jolt, Democracy, Sangria, Jax, Sag Harbor and Briggs NY. Kellwood operates retail stores and the e-commerce site for Rebecca Taylor. Kellwood is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
