Kontoor Brands completes separation from VF Corp

Kontoor Brands has confirmed it has completed its separation from VF Corporation, which was first announced last August, as it looks to create a “global lifestyle apparel leader” in denim with its brands, Wrangler, Lee and Rock and Republic.

The denim apparel group will now be an independent, publicly traded company, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘KTB’. While VF Corporation will now just include outdoor, active and workwear brands, Vans, The North Face, Timberland and Dickies.

“This is historic for everyone connected with Kontoor as we now accelerate to the next stage of our journey as a public company,” said Scott Baxter, president and chief executive of Kontoor Brands in a statement. “Since the separation from VF was first announced last August, we have planned for this moment and we are fully prepared to succeed.”

Baxter added: “We are grateful to the VF and Kontoor teams that worked collaboratively to stand-up this terrific organisation. We have a historic opportunity ahead of us. We are confident that Kontoor and its brands are positioned for value-creating performance.” v

Kontoor Brands sets strategic priorities

Coinciding with the completion of the separation from VF Corporation, Kontoor Brands also announced five strategic priorities for the brand: scaling its advantage in the core denim business; accelerating its positions in high-value segments, channels and geographies; building advantaged positions to reach new consumers; driving an unwavering focus on margin expansion and improving capital efficiency; and creating a highly engaged and performance-driven team.

The denim group also announced that it will be operating a long-term Total Shareholder Return operating model, underpinned by strong margins and cash flow generation. The long-term Total Shareholder Return model assumes an approximate 5 percent dividend yield, 2 percent to 3 percent margin expansion and 1 percent to 2 percent revenue growth, equating to 8 percent to 10 percent annualised returns.

Kontoor Brands announces executive leadership team and board of directors

Kontoor also announced its new executive leadership team and board of directors. Baxter, an 11-year VF Corporation veteran will lead the company, overseeing business globally, including its strategies and business objectives, and will be responsible for delivering sustainable, long-term value creation and total shareholder return, while Tom Waldron was named vice president and global brand president of Wrangler, and Chris Waldeck is vice president and global brand president of Lee, both will be responsible for their brand’s global business, including marketing, sales and distribution.

Other members of the leadership team includes: Rustin Welton, vice president and chief financial officer; Laurel Krueger vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary; Sara Bland, vice president, chief strategy officer; Scott Deitz, vice president, investor and corporate relations; Randy Fortenberry, vice president, global supply chain; and Scott Shoener, vice president, chief human resources officer.

The board of directors will be chaired by Robert Shearer, who the brand states has an “extensive familiarly” with its business and the apparel industry, having served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of VF from 2005 to 2015. He will be joined by Kathleen Barclay, Richard Carucci, Juliana Chugg, Shelley Stewart, Jr., and Scott Baxter.

“Our Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team feature a unique range of management experience, both from within VF and from other leading multi-national companies and global brands. Our team’s depth and breadth of experience and extensive sector knowledge will help to drive the success of our company,” added Baxter. “I look forward to working with this talented group to establish Kontoor as a respected, thriving, independent, publicly traded company.”

Images: courtesy of Kontoor Brands