The Men’s Wearhouse has hired AlixPartners, an advisory firm, to help it integrate Jos. A. Bank Clothiers. Earlier this month, Men’s Wearhouse made a deal to acquire its rival for $1.8 billion.
Doug Ewert, Men’s Wearhouse’s president and chief executive officer, pointed to AlixPartners’ “vast experience in retail as well as in large merger integration situations” as key to the hire. Ewert said the advisory firm “will provide significant support to our company’s goal of achieving an estimated $100 to $150 million of annual run-rate synergies over three years through improving purchasing efficiencies, optimizing customer service and marketing practices and streamlining duplicative corporate functions.”
Ewert reiterated that the combination of the two specialty retailers will create the country’s fourth largest men’s apparel retailer with pro forma sales of about $3.5 billion. The stores will continue to operate as separate nameplates and the company will retain what it considers the best talent and practices from both firms.
“Once the transaction has received all necessary regulatory approvals, we expect to close in a timely fashion and begin a smooth integration,” Ewert added.