Gildan Accelerates New CEO’s Start Date as Board Battle Rages On

Clothing maker Gildan Activewear Inc. is under pressure from shareholders to reverse its appointment of a new chief executive officer. The board isn’t budging.

The company that owns the American Apparel brand says Vince Tyra will take over as CEO on Monday, instead of the previously-announced date of Feb. 12. It’s the latest tactical move by directors in an ongoing war with investors over who should run the Montreal-based manufacturer of T-shirts and apparel with 51,000 employees worldwide.

Several of Gildan’s largest holders don’t want Tyra. Browning West LP, which owns about a 5% stake in Gildan, has criticized ...