November 26, 2024
S&S Activewear Names New Chief Financial Officer
Pablo Mercado brings C-suite financial experience to the CFO job at the Counselor Top 40 supplier.
Key Takeaways
• New C-Suiter: Pablo Mercado is the new CFO of S&S Activewear (asi/84358).
• Experienced Executive: Mercado’s background includes financial leadership roles at Lithium Americas, EnLink Midstream and Forum Energy Technologies.
• Busy Times: Mercado joins S&S at a time when the company is coming off a major acquisition and as it continues a rollout of advanced mobile robots in distribution centers.
There’s a new C-suiter at Counselor Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358).
The Illinois-headquartered firm has hired Pablo Mercado as its chief financial officer. Mercado officially began in the CFO role on Monday, Nov. 25.
Pablo Mercado, S&S Activewear (asi/84358)
“We are excited to welcome Pablo to the S&S Activewear family,” said Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people. “His outstanding record in finance, strategy and leadership makes him the ideal partner for executing our growth vision.”
As CFO, Mercado will manage S&S Activewear’s finance and accounting operations and be part of the executive team. Driving strategic growth, crafting financial strategies, and enhancing operational effectiveness and credit solutions for customers are all part of his charge.
“I am thrilled to join S&S Activewear during such a vibrant phase of its growth,” Mercado said. “The company’s dedication to innovation and customer service aligns with my professional values and experiences. I’m eager to contribute to S&S Activewear’s continued success and deliver value to all stakeholders.”
Mercado is a seasoned financial executive. His experience includes positions as CFO of Lithium Americas, CFO of EnLink Midstream and CFO of Forum Energy Technologies, according to S&S.
Holding an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Mercado began his career in investment banking, where he gained experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance. “His proficiency covers both public and private company roles, global M&A and the pursuit of operational excellence,” S&S said in a statement.
It’s been a headline-grabbing year for S&S Activewear. The multibillion-dollar firm executed the largest acquisition in the history of the promotional products industry when it bought fellow Counselor Top 40 supplier alphabroder (asi/34063), a deal finalized in September.
The company’s use of advanced mobile robots in its warehouses has also drawn attention, putting S&S at the forefront of distribution center automation in promo.
Based on estimated 2023 North American promotional product revenue of $2.106 billion, S&S Activewear ranked second on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry. Private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is the majority owner of S&S.