Bob Garey Joins Youngor USA

NEW YORK – Bob Garey, former president of Paul & Shark USA, has joined the Youngor USA unit of China’s Youngor Group as managing director.

Garey spent six years in his post at Paul & Shark before resigning earlier this year. Prior to that, he was president of Henry Cottons and Moncler for three years.

Earlier in his career, he served as president of Kellwood Menswear, the Esquel Apparel US subsidiary of Esquel, and the Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein divisions of Bidermann Industries.

Based in Ningbo, Youngor Group is among the largest apparel and textile operations in China, with both textile and apparel production, and also operates retail stores in its home market. Its 2006 sales were 5.85 billion yuan, about $758 million at current exchange.

In December, Youngor reached an agreement with Hartmarx Corp. to open about 400 Hart Schaffner Marx retail stores in China. Its production assets are focused on tailored clothing and woven shirts, although it contracts for production in other categories as well.

Garey said he will focus on developing and orchestrating private label programs for US retailers, but noted that the American unit will look to expand its activities in this country, possibly through licensing or acquisitions.

“Right now, Youngor is a branded marketer in China, but that could easily change here in the coming years,” Garey told MRketplace.com. “For the moment, we’re centered on private label programs with better stores.”

Garey is based at Youngor’s offices at 1411 Broadway here.