Optimer Brands, which includes DRIFIRE, makers of FR fabric technologies, is looking for a new CEO after Steven Scheyer recently announced his intent to step down.
Following continued significant growth in sales and product innovation over the past two and a half years, today Optimer Brands announced it has appointed a new Vice Chairman and is launching a search for a new Chief Executive Officer.
CEO Steven Scheyer has been named Vice Chairman, and continues as CEO during the search. After the new CEO joins, he remains as Vice Chairman and a key executive, owner and board member of the Company. This transition is part of the Company’s long-term succession plan that was put into place when Steven joined in 2010, and a strategic move to continue driving its growth and success into the company’s next phase.
Optimer Brands is the Company behind the DRIFIRE brand of flame resistant fabrics and flame resistant workwear, which has grown dramatically in the military and industrial sectors. Optimer has also achieved impressive growth with drirelease, patented fabric technology that enables brands to create unique apparel that dries four times faster than cotton, has everlasting wicking and odor control, and maintains the look and feel of natural fibers.
The Company has expanded beyond garments and fabrics into high performance finished goods. It has also developed broader reach beyond the military into the utility and the oil and gas sectors. Due to this complexity, Optimer aims to identify a CEO with a successful track record in operations and process.
“We have been very pleased with the Company’s growth over the past two and a half years, and are excited to be able to move to the next level in our growth plan. The current leadership team of CEO Steven Scheyer and Chairman Harvey Weinberg has grown Optimer Brands into the best financial position it has ever been in,” said Eric Becker, Senior Managing Director with private equity firm Sterling Partners. “With this new CEO, Sterling is reinvesting in the Company by bringing additional skills, experience and senior level expertise.”
“This focus on operations and process is the logical next step in the evolution of Optimer Brands,” said Scheyer. “We are confident this strategy is the right one for our continued future success.”
Weinberg added, “This transition has been planned since the beginning, and comes at a time of success and momentum for Optimer Brands. Our Company and our team have never been stronger.”
The search begins immediately, with the goal to secure the new CEO before the end of the year. Interested candidates should contact Nikki Bondi at executive search firm Advantage Partners.
