S&S Activewear (PPAI 256121, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier, has announced the hiring of Enrique Escalona to become the company’s vice president and general manager for Canada. In this role, Escalona will lead end-to-end business for S&S.
- In early 2025, the supplier made the strategic move to bolster its Canadian division by increase resources up north in the wake of its acquisition of alphabroder.
- The hiring of Escalona crystalizes these moves, bringing in a leader for the future as the supplier continues to invest in the region going forward.
Escalona’s commercial and operational leadership experience spans Canada and Mexico. He comes to S&S Activewear after a long career at Bimbo, the food and manufacturing company.
- Most recently, he spent nearly 12 years as vice president of national field sales at Bimbo Canada leading a large network of independent distributors.
- Prior to his time in Canada, he worked on site at Grupo Bimbo in Mexico, holding sales and strategy director roles.
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“Enrique is a proven leader with deep experience building high-performing teams and leading commercial excellence,” says Toby Whitmoyer, chief commercial officer at S&S Activewear. “His track record of driving results, combined with his customer-centric approach and operational expertise, makes him the ideal leader to guide our Canadian business through its next chapter of growth.”
Toby Whitmoyer,
Chief Commercial Officer, S&S Activewear
Strengthening Alignment Across North America
S&S Activewear’s strategic priorities in Canada will fall under Escalona’s purview moving forward. As the supplier continues building its presence in the region, keeping and strengthening alignment across North America will be a priority.
- Escalona’s hiring follows the retirement of Craig Ryan, a veteran of the company who was instrumental in building out S&S Activewear’s presence in Canada up to this point.
“I’m excited to join S&S as it continues to invest in its Canadian business and strengthen support for customers across the market,” Escalona says. “S&S has built a strong foundation in Canada, and I look forward to working alongside the team to deepen customer relationships, drive operational excellence and help accelerate the company’s next phase of growth.”
Enrique Escalona
Vice President & GM of Canada, S&S Activewear
- According to S&S, the company’s current investment in Canada as a broader strategy to strengthen its market position is evidenced by its commitment to optimize customer coverage across the coverage, among other priorities.
“Canada remains a key growth market,” Whitmoyer says. “We’re investing in the leadership, infrastructure and capabilities needed to better serve our customers today and well into the future.”
Earlier this year, S&S made a major move to its leadership team, appointing Rob Hamil to the role of chief strategy officer.
