NEW YORK – Private Label Manufacturers Association president Brian Sharoff died on Saturday after a brief illness, according to Tim Simmons, the trade group’s vice president of communications.

Brian Sharoff

Sharoff was named president of PLMA in 1981, shortly after the association was founded. During his tenure the PLMA’s membership grew from two hundred manufacturers, suppliers, and brokers in the United States to more than 4,400 companies worldwide.

“Today is a sad day for the entire PLMA family,” Lisa Manzoline, director of sales for Reynolds Consumer Products and PLMA’s chairman. “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.”

PLMA’s growth under Sharoff’s leadership is clear from the association’s events. The PLMA trade show held every November at the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago draws the largest concentration of private label buyers anywhere in the nation, according to the trade group. And PLMA’s annual “World of Private Label” International Trade Show, held each May at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam has grown to more than 4,500 stands and now represents manufacturers from nearly 75 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

In addition to the trade exhibitions, PLMA presents conferences and educational programs throughout the year, in addition to publishing exclusive research and studies. The association in recent years has also produced a wide range of original video programming, providing news and information for both the industry and consumers.

Sharoff joined PLMA after five years as executive vice president of the Metropolitan New York Retail Merchants Association.  Before that, he served three terms as a member of the New York State legislature.  He also held teaching positions at St. Joseph’s University, Rutgers University and The New School of Social Research.

Brian Sharoff is survived by his wife Judith, daughter Alexandra, son Peter, five grandchildren, and sister Shirley Sharoff.