Case Study: Pearl Izumi USA Invests in IT to Revive Custom Clothing Business

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Nearly eight years ago, Pearl Izumi shut down its custom clothing business because it wasn't hitting profit targets. Today, new services available online are making it possible for the company to revive a proven revenue-generating business — only this time with the expectation that the profit margins are in line with corporate strategy. Mike Regan, business manager for personalized gear at Pearl Izumi, says before getting axed in 2001, the custom clothing unit generated $12 million to $15 million annually. But the overhead in labor and technology for the necessary sales processes was "too cumbersome," he says.