In 1947, inventor Florence Zacks Melton was visiting the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron, Ohio, seeking materials for use in her fledgling garment shoulder pad business. During that visit, she was introduced to foam latex, a material that had been developed during World War II and for which Firestone was seeking commercial uses. While returning to her Columbus, Ohio, home, Mrs. Melton decided that the best thing you could do with the foam latex was to walk on it. So, using a sample of this soft, cushioned material, she fashioned the world's first foam-soled, soft, washable slipper. In a very short time her slippers, Angel Treads®, became an overwhelming success.
R.G. Barry Corporation has grown and changed many times since its founding. Today, we are 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 an estimated 35% of the U.S. slipper market.
The Company serves a broad spectrum of U.S. retailers, from Saks Fifth Avenue to Wal-Mart, with a family of proprietary and licensed brands. We also develop and source private label accessories footwear for some of North America’s leading retailers.
Among our primary brands are:
- · Dearfoams® original slippers that indulge you in your personal expression of comfort;
- · Terrasoles® feel-good footwear with a relaxed outdoor spirit for a simple lifestyle;
- · Superga® canvas/active fashion footwear;
- · Levi’s® slippers and sandals; and
- · Nauticaâ slippers
Since completing a two-year turnaround of its business in 2005, R.G. Barry Corporation has been among the best-performing public footwear companies in North America as measured by net earnings as a percent of net sales, net sales increase, return on assets, return on shareholders’ equity and inventory management and productivity.
Historical Time Line
1945 Florence Zacks Melton creates a detachable shoulder pad for women’s garments.
1947 Partners Harry Streim, Florence and Aaron Zacks form R.G. Barry Corporation. The Company name is derived from the first names of the co-founders’ sons: Richard, Gordon and Barry.
1948 Angel Treads®, the world’s first foam-cushioned, washable slippers become an instant hit in department store notions’ departments.
1958 Dearfoams® brand slippers is introduced through department store hosiery departments, launching what will become the accessories footwear category.
1962 R.G. Barry Corporation becomes a public company.
1964 The Company initiates the use of data processing to enhance business performance.
1965 The Company purchases boudoir slipper maker Dot & Peg Productions of Chattanooga, TN.
1968 In conjunction with the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, R.G. Barry implements a pioneering human resources accounting system. The experiment continues through 1973.
1969 R.G. Barry launches a line of slippers in “discount stores”; and acquires Bernardo® Sandals, which it operates until 1985.
1971 The Company’s first Mexican manufacturing facility opens at Nuevo Laredo. Before exiting manufacturing in 2004, the Company will expand its Mexican operations to include plants in Ciudad Acuna, Ciudad Juarez and Zacatecas.
1973 Mushrooms® shoes are launched using major market television advertising, a footwear industry first. The pioneering women’s comfort footwear brand was sold to U.S. Shoe Corporation in 1982.
1976 R.G. Barry Corporation relocates from its downtown Columbus offices to a new corporate headquarters facility in suburban Pickerington.
1979 Net sales top $100 million mark.
1980 Dearfoams® Warm-Up Boots become one of the top-selling holiday gift items in U.S. department stores.
1982 The Company enters the licensed character products arena with Cabbage Patch Kids® and Care Bear® slippers.
1987 R.G. Barry Corporation begins using network television advertising for its Dearfoams® brand. Ensuing holiday campaigns will feature characters including Hollywood legend Zsa Zsa Gabor, British Royal Family lookalikes and dancing store mannequins.
1994 Thermal products maker Vesture Corporation of Asheboro, N.C., is purchased. The Company operates Vesture until 2003.
1995 R.G. Barry Corporation moves from the American Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange where its common shares will be listed until 2004.
1997 R.G. Barry Corporation celebrates its 50th anniversary and is named Wal-Mart Stores International Soft Lines Vendor of the Year.
1998 The Company's Vesture Corporation subsidiary is awarded patent for its innovative pizza/hot food delivery system.
1999 R.G. Barry buys French footwear maker Fargeot et Compaignie SA of Thiviers, France. The company operates Fargeot unitl 2007.
2002 The Company opens a sourcing office in Hong Kong. 2004-05 The Company implements a new business model. The reinvention includes exiting international 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 turn around specialists, recognizes R.G. Barry as its 2006 mid-sized turnaround of the year. The R.G. Barry success story is reported on by numerous financial, trade and general publications including Time magazine (6/4/2007).
2006 Working with senior management, newly named President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Tunney leads development of a 3-year strategic growth plan and institutes a long-term program of cultural reinvigoration.
2007 The Company launches its proprietary Terrasoles® brand and becomes the North American licensee for leading European luxe canvas footwear brand Superga®.
2008 Wal-Mart U.S. names the Company its principal supplier of replenishment slippers. Additional customer accolades include: Target Corporation’s “2008 Vendor of the Year in Men’s Essentials”; Kohl’s Corporation “Best in class-Accessories” for 2008; and, Sears Holding Corporation’s coveted “Partners in Progress” award.
2009 The Company signs a licensing agreement with Levi’s® to develop and market a collection of slippers and sandals for men, women and children. For the first time since 1981, the Company’s Board of Directors declares a cash dividend and adopts a dividend policy.