SAN-MALONE’S LEWIS JIA DIES AT AGE 51
West Coast suit manufacturer Lewis Jia, founder and CEO of San-Malone Enterprises and Emilio Ciro Inc., passed away on August 4, 2015. He was 51.
His wife Jenny and son Bob issued the following written statement to MR-mag.com about his life, legacy and the future of the company:
Lewis and Jenny Jia started San-Malone Enterprises in December of 2001. San-Malone was one of the first suit companies to come from the movement of China-based manufacturing. Due to Lewis’ keen eye for detail and understanding that retailers were lacking “a perceived value margin,” San-Malone skyrocketed to the top of the menswear industry.
Lewis recognized the importance of setting up a warehouse in Los Angeles and staffed it with an excellent design team and customer service. He filled this warehouse with an extensive In Stock Program that became a key to San-Malone’s groundbreaking success. Lewis also opened a fully staffed office based in China where all manufacturing, quality control and communication with the factories could be controlled seamlessly. San-Malone is known today as one of the top importers of menswear products on the West Coast.
“My father has always taught me in order to do big things, you have to treat people right,” says Bob Jia.
Jenny and Bob will work tirelessly to ensure that the San-Malone standards of quality and service that Lewis established will be maintained. Derek Taguchi, an outstanding employee for over 13 years, will help them to make San-Malone strong.
Lewis is survived by his wife Jenny, son Bob, sister Lisa, brother Qing and mother Yuzhu Cheng.
