Greenville, S.C.-Based Apparel Company is South Carolina’s Only Company to be Honored on Prestigious List  

December 1, 2011, Greenville, S.C. – Representatives from Southern Tide, a Greenville, S.C.-based manufacturer of a rapidly-growing lifestyle brand of apparel, announced today the company was ranked No. 27 by Forbes Magazine on its annual “America’s Most Promising Companies” list. Forbes‘ list of America’s Most Promising Companies features 100 privately held up-and-comers with compelling business models, strong management teams, notable customers, strategic partners and precious investment capital. The 2011 America’s Most Promising Companies list will be unveiled in the December 19 issue of Forbes Magazine.
 
Southern Tide was the only South Carolina-based company to be recognized on the list and was ranked second in the apparel category behind a California-based retail company, which was ranked No. 21.
 
“Sizing up younger, privately held companies is hard: Their fortunes can change very quickly and there’s a dearth of public data,” says Forbes Executive Editor Brett Nelson. “We took a more comprehensive approach to evaluate their health and potential.”

To sharpen its search, Forbes teamed up with CB Insights, a Manhattan-based data firm that tracks investment in high-growth private companies. With $650,000 in grants from the National Science Foundation, CB has developed complex software called Mosaic that mines myriad online sources (from press releases and social networks to job boards and court filings) to come up with one, algorithmically derived score that measures a private company’s health. Forbes married Mosaic’s data-crunching with old-fashioned reporting to assemble a list of rising stars with bright growth prospects. To view the complete the list, please visit www.forbes.com/ampc.
 
“Being recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of America’s top 30 most promising companies is an exciting accomplishment for the Southern Tide team,” said Jim Twining, CEO of Southern Tide. “This honor is due to the dedication and loyalty of Southern Tide associates, our retail partners and customers, all of which have contributed to our success and growth. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the new year.”

About Southern Tide
Southern Tide, LLC, founded in 2006 by Allen Stephenson, is the Greenville, S.C.-based manufacturer of a rapidly growing lifestyle brand of apparel that boasts exceptional craftsmanship, clean lines, fine quality and classic design. The collection's original product, the Skipjack Polo, is deemed by many to be the finest, most comfortable polo shirt in the world. Constructed of Southern Tide's exclusive fabric, True-Vent Micro PiqueTM, the Skipjack Polo provides for breathability and a slight amount of stretch that allows for ease of motion while maintaining its shape. Southern Tide's design of extraordinarily authentic and classic clothing that is intelligently constructed with the best available materials is featured in the collection's vast array of items including the Men's and Women's Skipjack Polo, Channel Marker Khaki Pants and Shorts; RT-7 Pants, Chinos, and Jeans; Men's Sport Shirts and Sweaters; Skipjack Boxers, Hats, T-shirts, belts and various accessories. Currently, the Southern Tide brand can be found exclusively at more than 500 fine retailers in more than 42 states across the United States, Puerto Rico, Bahamas and the Virgin Islands and online at SouthernTide.com.