Bearpaw creates two new entities, expands deeper in Europe and China

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
February 8, 2018

Footwear brand Bearpaw is building on its momentum and recent entry into the European market with the announcement that it is creating two new business entities to operate more deeply across Europe as well as in China.

Bearpaw Europe, BV was created to help Bearpaw expand deeper into Scandanavia, the Baltic states and across Eastern, Central and Western Europe. Zhenjiang Boom Trading Company, Inc. (ZBT) will be formed to increase Bearpaw's territory in China. Both entities will operate under Bearpaw's Romeo & Juliette, Inc. umbrella.

"Creating [ZBT] and Bearpaw Europe, BV will enable us to roll out global expansion plans in a manner that allows us to stay consistent with our established business in the U.S.," said John Pierce, President of Bearpaw, in a release.

The business Pierce refers to is vertically integrated which speeds up the idea-to-market cycle.

Bearpaw's parent company, Rome & Juliette, Inc., was founded by Tom Romeo in the 1980s. It is based in California near Sacramento and offers design, research & development, on-site sample rooms, QC and full scale production management of leather, fur, knit and oily pressed uppers.

Once its products have been manufactured, Bearpaw then partners with wholesalers and retailers for its global distribution. The company was founded in 2001 and offers men's, women's and children's footwear. It is sold at fashion footwear retailers including DSW, Macy's and Famous Footwear, and is currently available in 45 countries in addition to the US.

To support the new global expansion, Bearpaw has hired John Richey as their new General Counsel.