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Madeleine & Victor Tarica
HISTORY
Founding
Founded in 1956 by Victor and Madeleine Tarica, Jimlar Corporation was a pioneer in importing footwear into the United States. Their sons, Jim and Larry joined the company in 1962 and 1971 respectively. They now serve as the company's chairman and president. The early years saw the growth of importing as a respected market segment, and the company took advantage of this period to become an established, respected resource for footwear products from all over the world.

Business Activities
As one of America’s premier footwear companies, Jimlar designs, sources, markets and distributes a broad range of footwear and related accessory products. Its three business platforms include Owned Brands, Licensed Brands and Service Division, which provides design and sourcing services to a broad range of retailers, branded wholesalers and direct marketers.

Jimlar’s worldwide team of more than 700 includes staff in the U.S. headquarters, design studio and showrooms, and company - operated offices in Italy, China, Hong Kong, Holland, Switzerland and Mexico.

Corporate Developments
In 1982, Jimlar began to market footwear under its own brands and have since developed proprietary products under the brands American Eagle, fashion footwear for women (1982), RJ Colt, casual and rugged footwear for men (1993), and Mountrek performance outdoor activewear (2004).

In 1993, Jimlar became the footwear licensee for The Frye Company, legendary makers of America’s finest boots. Subsequently, Jimlar acquired Frye outright in 1998, and presently owns the Frye brand for all its product classifications worldwide.

Jimlar is also the footwear licensee of two of the world’s most respected brands. In 1998, Jimlar became the footwear licensee for Coach, America’s premier leather goods and accessories company. And in 2004, Jimlar became the footwear licensee of Calvin Klein, the iconic apparel and lifestyle brand.

An important part of the Jimlar’s activities is that it is a leader in providing design and sourcing services to many other companies. With its own in-house design team and worldwide sourcing organization, the company has long been a valued footwear supplier to others.

In August 2003, Jimlar Corporation’s owners transferred one-third ownership of the company to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The Plan is in addition to existing employee compensation and bonus plans in place, and it reemphasizes the company’s dedication to all those associates who devote their working lives to Jimlar, while enhancing the company’s efforts to create a stable platform for long term growth and succession management.

In 2006, Jimlar opened a four building, eight acre design and sourcing campus in Dongguan, China, and sold its rights to American Eagle, to help focus the company on its most important strategic goals. In 2007, Jimlar opened a design studio in New York City, and new showrooms opened in New York in 2008. New investments in international distribution of the company’s products is being supported by significantly increased staffing in Europe and Asia, new distribution centers overseas, and additional showrooms in Florence, also to debut in 2008.

In 2010, Jimlar announced the first page of a new era of the company’s history when it was acquired by LF USA, a member of the Honk Kong-based Li & Fung Ltd. The new Jimlar Footwear Division of LF USA is now well positioned for the future as a global organization with a worldwide platform and sourcing organization.

Focus for the Future
Jimlar Corporation strives to continue its historic steady and stable growth, based on its founding principles of respect for its associates, dedication to the highest quality products and services for consumers and many valued business partners, and commitment to sharing the company’s resources and time in many community efforts.
Jimlar Frye Boots Coach Footwear Calvin Klein Footwear RJ Colt Mountrek
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