Ridgefield’s Agave Denim acquired by California company

Agave Denim founder Jeff Shafer

Agave Denim, a Ridgefield-based apparel company, has been sold to XCVI, a clothing manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer based in Los Angeles, for an undisclosed amount.

Jeff Shafer, who founded Agave in 2002, said the brand will live on and ultimately benefit from XCVI’s ownership.

“They (XCVI) bring a lot to the table,” said Shafer. “They’re a much bigger company, extremely well-funded and financed. They have a sewing factory in Los Angeles and they have tremendous resources that are going to be available to us.”

“We are delighted to welcome Agave to XCVI’s distinguished portfolio,” remarked Alon Zeltzer, CEO of XCVI. “With a 20-year history of authentic California design, we share a passion for brand building with an updated approach that will refine this timeless classic.”

XCVI will now handle the manufacturing and distribution of Agave products worldwide. As a result, Shafer said Agave will be closing its office and warehouse in Ridgefield.

“The original plan to build the [Ridgefield] warehouse was to have easy access to the Port of Portland and the Port of Vancouver, for bringing in goods from Asia. I never did that. I never had the funding or the supply chain [to become an import-reliant company],” explained Shafer. “So all we really did was put goods on the truck from our Los Angeles factory and ship them up here to be redistributed. In the long-term, that was a big expense and [not very efficient].”

While the move is a big loss for Ridgefield, the company will maintain a presence in Southwest Washington by opening a new, smaller office in Camas that will be dedicated to sales, marketing, design and e-commerce for the Agave brand. Shafer said he expects a team of four employees to work out of a temporary space there until a long-term office is located.

“The thing is, I love Ridgefield, but I also love Camas,” said Shafer. “Both of them are absolutely fantastic places to operate from. Without a doubt, I’ll miss the local people here, but Camas is closer to where I live.”

All but four of Agave’s current staff will remain with the company.

A final warehouse sale will be held in Ridgefield from June 3-5. The warehouse is located at 6210 11th Street.

XCVI’s acquisition of Agave does not include Shafer’s other apparel brand, Bluer Denim.

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