Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
RG Barry history
RG Barry company history timeline
1947: The company officially adopts the name R.G. Barry Corporation.
In 1947, the company was renamed to R.G. Barry, which was named after their children: Richard Streim, Gordon Zacks and Barry Zacks.
In 1948, Dearfoams introduces the world's first foam-cushioned, washable slipper.
Controlling nearly 40 percent of the United States slipper market, the firm became well known for brands such as Angel Treads--the first foam-cushioned, washable slipper, created in 1949--Barry Comfort, Dearfoams, EZfeet, Madye's, Mushrooms Slippers, Snug Treds, and Soft Notes.
After taking a course on corporate management from the American Management Association, Gordon Zacks pared R.G. Barry's interests to Dearfoam slippers, which had been introduced in 1958.
The firm went public in 1962 to help fund expansion efforts.
R.G. Barry went public in 1962, and was listed on the American Stock Exchange.
Aaron Zacks suffered a fatal heart attack in 1965, thrusting his relatively inexperienced 32-year-old son into the company presidency.
Sales of Mushrooms were reported to have peaked at $120 million in 1978.
In 1979, Gordon Zacks became Chairman of the Board and CEO, and the company's net sales topped $100 million for the first time.
After four years of declining earnings and slipping sales, Zacks conceded defeat in 1982.
R.G. Barry incurred an $8.5 million loss in 1982.
1982: The firm is forced to sell its Mushrooms brand to competitor United States Shoe Corp.
Barry continued its retreat back to the core Dearfoams slippers with the 1983 spin-off of its Quoddy retail chain to Wolverine World Wide, Inc., manufacturer of Hush Puppies shoes.
Hoping to take advantage of the lower labor and production costs available overseas, the company launched an import division in 1983 and began moving manufacturing operations from the northeast United States to the Southwest and Mexico.
A 1983 restructuring--one of many to come over the ensuing decade--shuttered three plants and reduced employment by 28 percent, from 3,200 to 2,300.
Jackson, William, “Ohio Sends Manufacturing South: Mexico Wooing United States Corporations,” Business First-Columbus, July 16, 1990.
——, “Critter Pulled in by a Nose,” Footwear News, February 4,1991,p.
In one of its most surprising moves, R.G. Barry shareholders elected United States Shoe Chairman Philip G. Barach to a seat on the board of directors in 1991.
1991: R.G. Barry restructures once again due to losses related to increased competition.
In 1993, the firm launched a line of “heat-to-go” products that incorporated a heat-retaining, microwaveable insert.
1994: Vesture Corp. is purchased.
1995: The firm lists on the New York Stock Exchange; ThermaStor Technologies Ltd. is created as part of a joint venture with Battelle Memorial Institute.
In 1996, management assumed that the financial difficulties were in the past and began beefing up manufacturing capacity.
Baggallini was started by two Delta Airlines flight attendants Dixie Powers and Ann Simmons in 1996 when they were selling currency bags to airline employees in airport lounges.
In 1997, Dearfoams celebrates its 50th anniversary and is named Wal-Mart Stores International Soft Lines Vendor of the Year.
In 1998, the firm sued Domino's Pizza, Inc. for patent infringement related to its MICROCORE technology--it had received patent rights earlier in the year.
Sales increased to $149.4 million from $140.1 million recorded in 1999.
1999: Fargeot et Compagnie SA is acquired; the company records its worst year in its history.
In 2000, Domino's settled the case, agreeing to pay R.G. Barry $5 million.
In 2000, over 90 percent of R.G. Barry's sales stemmed from its comfort footwear businesses--Wal-Mart was the firm's largest customer, accounting for nearly 20 percent of sales.
2000: The company begins restructuring efforts once again and secures licensing rights for the Liz Claiborne brand name.
In 2001, Bill Lenich was named president, chief operating officer, and director of R.G. Barry.
In 2001, the Vesture subsidiary landed contracts with Papa John's International, Inc. and Donatos Pizzeria Corp. to supply both companies with heated pizza delivery systems.
In 2004, Zacks stepped down from his position due to disappointing sales.
In March 2011, R.G. Barry acquired the Baggallini brand, from a maker of handbags and travel accessories, in a $33.8 million deal.
In November 2017, Greg Tunney stepped down as CEO. Bob Mullaney, former COO of Shoes.com was named the CEO in December 2017.
In 2017, the Pickerington City Council voted to help fund an upgrade to the company in order for it to keep its presence in the city and grow its employee base from 100 to 120 jobs.
During the 2019 holiday season, Dearfoams launched its first commercial in nearly a decade,"Together In Dearfoams" , featuring its popular limited-edition matching family slippers.
In 2020, Remington Products (now known as Foundation Wellness) acquired Foot Petals.
"R.G. Barry Corp. ." International Directory of Company Histories. . Encyclopedia.com. (April 15, 2021). https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/rg-barry-corp
In 2021, Dearfoams ranked #1 in The Sustainability Consortium – 3 year in a row.
Rate how well RG Barry lives up to its initial vision.
RG Barry jobs
Do you work at RG Barry?
Is RG Barry's vision a big part of strategic planning?
RG Barry competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Productivity | 1968 | $147.1M | 200 | 27 |
| SlimFast | 1977 | $25.0M | 175 | - |
| Skytron | 1972 | $44.0M | 100 | 17 |
| Ashland | 1924 | $2.2B | 6,500 | 47 |
| LBX Company - Link-Belt Excavators | 1998 | $21.0M | 105 | - |
| VPC | 1959 | $45.0M | 100 | 13 |
| Gemline | 1958 | $81.1M | 200 | 9 |
| Cinch Jeans | 1996 | $450,000 | 6 | - |
| Implus | 1988 | $300.0M | 750 | - |
| American Time | 1980 | $1.3M | 25 | - |
RG Barry history FAQs
Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of RG Barry, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about RG Barry. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at RG Barry. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by RG Barry. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of RG Barry and its employees or that of Zippia.
RG Barry may also be known as or be related to R G Barry Corp, R.G. Barry, R.G. Barry Corp., R.G. Barry Corporation, RG Barry, RG Barry Corporation and Rg Barry.