Supplier Edwards Garment Co. (PPAI 198530, S11) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has announced that President and CEO Gary Schultz will be transitioning to retirement, and Jose Gomez, Sr., senior vice president of operations, will move into the role of president, effective immediately. Schultz will maintain an active leadership role as CEO and continue to advise Gomez through the transition.

During Schultz’s 20-plus years at Edwards Garment, he has been instrumental in expanding the supplier into the uniform market with product categories in culinary, suiting, hospitality and security, along with navigating the company’s acquisitions of Bishop Custom Apparel in 2019 and HMB Andrew Rohan in 2018.

“With Jose as president, I will be able to devote my time to key strategy initiatives to grow all aspects of the business including our commitment to sustainable solutions,” he says.

Gomez will assume responsibility for all aspects of the business while maintaining responsibility for supply chain, operations and sourcing. During his more than 10 years at Edwards Garment and 12 years of consulting experience with Kurt Salmon Associates, Gomez has been instrumental in fundamentally transforming the company’s supply chain by expanding its global network and implementing world-class software while responding to changes in the industry.

Schultz adds, “The Board selected Jose to lead the organization based on his vast knowledge of the apparel industry and their expressed belief in the value of insider knowledge and experience. Jose’s wide-ranging experiences in the apparel industry provide him with the expertise that will serve Edwards today and into the future, while his tenure assures the special culture the company has will continue.”

Edwards Garment has been a privately held, family-owned company since 1867.

Read more on this story in Tuesday’s PPB Newslink.