Tom Kartsotis (born 1959) is an American entrepreneur, best known as the founder of the brand development firm Bedrock Manufacturing Co.,[1] which is named for The Flintstones hometown and was founded in 2003.[2] Kartsotis was also known as the founder and the president of Fossil from 1984 until 2010.

Career

Tom Kartsotis (left) gives U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez a tour of a new Shinola location.

Kartsotis is the founder of Fossil Inc. in 1984 and served in roles including Director, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman from 1984 to January 2010.[3] Kartsotis re-founded defunct shoe polish brand Shinola as Shinola Detroit and re-positioned it as a wristwatch brand.[4]

Controversy

In June 2016, the US Federal Trade Commission ordered Shinola to stop using 'Where American is made' as a slogan because "100% of the cost of materials used to make certain watches is attributable to imported materials."[5] Kartsotis responded with an open letter which noted that the regulations defining "Made in America" for cars are not the same as for watches.[6]

Other brands

Kartsotis has also invested in American designer Steven Alan and outdoor goods brand Filson.[7] Kartsotis has served on the Board of Directors of Burton Snowboards since 2004.[8]

Personal life

Kartsotis is of Greek parentage.[9] He shuns media attention and is rarely photographed.[10] His brother, Kosta also served as CEO & chairman of Fossil, replaced Tom's position since 2010.

References

  1. ↑ bloomberg.com Tom Kartsotis
  2. ↑ "Making it in America: Mo' time for Motown". The Economist. February 5, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Company Overview of Bedrock Manufacturing Co". bloomberg.com. September 24, 2016.
  4. ↑ STACY PERMAN, The Real History of America's Most Authentic Fake Brand: A mogul from Texas is using the country's least aspirational city as the backdrop for his next global lifestyle company--a $225 million experiment in manufactured authenticity Inc. (magazine)
  5. ↑ NICHOLAS MANOUSOS, FTC Takes Action Against Shinola, Suggests 'Where American Is Made' Slogan Be Dropped HODINKEE, JUNE 17, 2016
  6. ↑ Tom Kartsotis, An Open Letter From Shinola Founder Tom Kartsotis In Response To The FTC's Most Recent Action hodinkee.com JUNE 17, 2016
  7. ↑ businessoffashion.com Tom Kartsotis
  8. ↑ simonequity.com Tom Kartsotis
  9. ↑ "Tom Kartsotis - The Greek behind the coolest brand in America". www.ellines.com. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  10. ↑ LAUREN SHERMAN, How Tom Kartsotis Is Banking on America businessoffashion.com MARCH 22, 2016
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