Umi Joins Forces With Badorf Shoe Co.

Umi LLC announced last week its partnership with Lititz, Penn.-based Badorf Shoe Co. for the Umi Children’s Shoes brand. Badof will assume all selling, distribution and customer service of the brand in the United States as of Jan. 1.

Mark Kohlenberg, president and CEO of Umi, noted the brand has experienced strong growth in the U.S. market within the last five years, and he believes the company can achieve even stronger growth with the strength of Badorf’s sales organization. “Umi Children’s Shoes is the ideal fit to complement [its] existing brands of Tsukihoshi, Ricosta and FootMates in the United States,” he said.

Umi will continue to ship and serve its retail customers for the Spring/Summer ’10 collection from its distribution facility in Grafton, Wis. Badorf will handle the Autumn/Winter ’10 collection. Umi will continue its product development, design and branding for the line. Visit www.umishoes.com.

In the Nov/Dec issue: Tips for boosting bedding sales The 2010 trade show preview Profiles of the 2009 Earnie winners Plus: Color makes a splash in the specialty sportswear category Coming In January: Present Principles: The rules for stocking gift items Head of the Class: School uniforms keep pace with fashion Major Step: Tips for selling department stores Winter Wear: The new look in outerwear