Vestis Appoints Jim Barber as President and Chief Executive Officer
Former Chief Operating Officer of UPS brings more than 35 years of relevant logistics, operations and route-based experience and a track record of driving profitable growth
Phillip Holloman to return to role as Chairman of the Board following the transition
Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS) ("Vestis" or the "Company"), a leading provider of uniforms and workplace supplies, today announced the appointment of Jim Barber as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective June 2, 2025. Mr. Barber succeeds Phillip Holloman, who has been serving as Interim Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since March 18, 2025. Mr. Holloman will return to his role as Chairman of the Board following the transition.
Mr. Barber brings more than 35 years of relevant logistics, operations and route-based experience, having served in several leadership positions at UPS and on multiple public company boards. As the next President and CEO, he will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company's business, including operational excellence, customer service, talent and growth. He will focus on enhancing Vestis' strategy, delivering exceptional service for its customers and driving long-term performance improvement for its shareholders.
"I am pleased to welcome Jim Barber as our next President and CEO and am confident he has the right skills and experience to lead Vestis forward," said Mr. Holloman. "Jim is a proven leader with a track record of driving profitable growth, making him well suited to drive the next chapter of our strategy, with a focus on enhancing execution and instilling a customer-centric mindset throughout the organization. I look forward to partnering with Jim to capture the significant opportunity ahead in the attractive uniform rental, direct sales and workplace supplies market and drive long-term value for our shareholders."
Mr. Barber joins Vestis following a distinguished career at UPS, where he most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for overseeing a highly complex, global route-based delivery network. He began his career at UPS as a delivery driver and held several roles of increasing leadership responsibility, including President of UPS International and President of UPS Europe. Mr. Barber currently serves on the board of directors for C.H. Robinson and previously served on the boards of US Foods, UNICEF USA and the Folks Center for International Business at the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business.
"I am honored to be appointed President and CEO and look forward to working alongside Phillip, the Board and the talented team at Vestis," said Mr. Barber. "I see exciting opportunities ahead as we focus on delivering for our customers and driving value for our shareholders through a commitment to operational excellence and best-in-class service."
Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 Results
In a separate press release today, Vestis reported its fiscal second quarter 2025 earnings results. Management will host a webcast to discuss the fiscal second quarter 2025 earnings results on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 9:00 AM ET. The webcast can be accessed live through the investor relations section of our website at www.vestis.com.
About Vestis™
Vestis is a leader in the B2B uniform and workplace supplies category. Vestis provides uniform services and workplace supplies to a broad range of North American customers from Fortune 500 companies to locally owned small businesses across a broad set of end sectors. The Company's comprehensive service offering primarily includes a full-service uniform rental program, floor mats, towels, linens, managed restroom services, first aid supplies, and cleanroom and other specialty garment processing.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts relating to discussions of future operations and financial performance and statements regarding our strategy for growth, future product development, regulatory approvals, competitive position and expenditures. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "outlook," "anticipate," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "will," and "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative versions of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those that we expected. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict including, but not limited to: unfavorable economic conditions; increases in fuel and energy costs; the failure to retain current customers, renew existing customer contracts and obtain new customer contracts; natural disasters, global calamities, climate change, pandemics, strikes and other adverse incidents; increased operating costs and obstacles to cost recovery due to the pricing and cancellation terms of our support services contracts; a determination by our customers to reduce their outsourcing or use of preferred vendors; risks associated with suppliers from whom our products are sourced; challenge of contracts by our customers; our expansion strategy and our ability to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire and costs and timing related thereto; currency risks and other risks associated with international operations; our inability to hire and retain key or sufficient qualified personnel or increases in labor costs; continued or further unionization of our workforce; liability resulting from our participation in multiemployer-defined benefit pension plans; liability associated with noncompliance with applicable law or other governmental regulations; laws and governmental regulations including those relating to the environment, wage and hour and government contracting; increases or changes in income tax rates or tax-related laws; risks related to recent U.S. tariff announcements; new interpretations of or changes in the enforcement of the government regulatory framework; a cybersecurity incident or other disruptions in the availability of our computer systems or privacy breaches; stakeholder expectations relating to environmental, social and governance considerations; any failure by Aramark to perform its obligations under the various separation agreements entered into in connection with the separation and distribution; a determination by the IRS that the distribution or certain related transactions are taxable; and the and the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of other transactions, events and circumstances which may be beyond our control. The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see Vestis' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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Investor & Media Contact
Edelman Smithfield for Vestis
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