PLMA President Brian Sharoff Passes Away at 77

Brian Sharoff, who led the Private Label Manufacturers Association for nearly 40 years and oversaw its extraordinary growth, passed away on May 23. He was 77.

Tim Simmons, VP of Communications for the PLMA, said Sharoff died after a brief illness. Sharoff is survived by his wife Judith, daughter Alexandra, son Peter, five grandchildren and sister Shirley Sharoff.

“Today is a sad day for the entire PLMA family,” said Lisa Manzoline, Director of Sales for Reynolds Consumer Products and Chairman of the Board of Directors of PLMA, in a statement. “Under Brian Sharoff’s tremendous focus and dedication, the Private Label Manufacturers Association has grown to become a vital and essential resource for suppliers and retailers around the globe. Brian’s leadership will be greatly missed.”

He was appointed President of the PLMA in 1981, which was not long after it was founded. The association grew tremendously under Sharoff’s leadership notably with the expansion of its New York headquarters to include offices in Amsterdam and Shanghai. Alongside these expansions, its membership grew from less than 200 members in the US to more than 4,400 worldwide, according to the PLMA.

As the leading trade group for CPG private brands, the PLMA hosts the annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago. The show debuted in 1980 with roughly 50 exhibitor booths and with Sharoff at the helm, it has evolved into a premier event. The show draws in key decision makers from the supermarket, drug and mass channels to explore 3,000 exhibitor booths and attend educational seminars and networking events. In addition to its US tradeshow, the association reaches a global audience and connects international private label stakeholders by hosting its annual “World of Private Label” International Trade Show. Held in Amsterdam, this show has expanded to more than 4,500 booths, drawing in suppliers from roughly 75 countries and retailers from across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Prior to joining the newly formed PLMA, Sharoff spent five years as evp of the Metropolitan New York Retail Merchants Association. Before that, he served three terms as a member of the New York legislature in addition to holding teaching positions at St. Joseph’s University, Rutgers University and the New School of Social Research.