sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Table of Contents Welcome Letter
Agenda
Speakers
Attendees
International Holidays 2014
Notes
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Welcome to Sourcing Summit 2013 Welcome to the inaugural Sourcing Journal Summit, “Sourcing 2013: Reflections and Projections.” Especially within a cloistered industry often allergic to candid conversation, an open-handed discussion between our leading executives has never been more rare or more necessary. At the Sourcing Journal, we consider facilitating precisely this kind of discussion one of our core responsibilities. And there is no shortage of subjects to discuss. This year has been a historic one for sourcing and manufacturing, the kind we will likely discuss years from now as an industry changing inflection point. Following the tragedy of the Rana Plaza factory collapse, withering media attention has fixated on sourcing to less developed nations like Bangladesh, Cambodia and Vietnam. Social compliance, once a minor distraction, has become a major political and humanitarian issue. Also, sourcing and product development have become key drivers behind a product’s price, quality and speed to market. Consumers have become sensitive to the origins of the products they purchase, and question if their creation was environmentally sustainable and if the labor conditions that generated them were safe and humane. No longer an afterthought, the back end of the supply chain has become just as important as front-end fashion. Finally, from the perspective of relevant free trade agreements, this is arguably the most important year for the apparel and textile sector since NAFTA was signed in 1994. There is a litany of new agreements under congressional consideration right now as you read this, many of which will be thoroughly discussed at our Summit. The Trans-Pacific Partnership alone promises to permanently alter the landscape of retail. It behooves all of us to adequately understand how commerce will be impacted by a throng of new legislation. As the premiere trade journal for apparel and textile commerce, the Sourcing Journal has become an indispensable guide for top executives, designers, and entrepreneurs working in the textile and apparel industries. We know that intelligent business decisions are based not only on time sentitive information but a general sense of the industry’s ever changing contours. Just as we feel obligated to bring our readers breaking news and incisive analysis, we strive to service the entire souring community with opportunities for frank exchanges over our most pressing issues. Thank you for being a part of this important occasion. —Edward Hertzman, Sourcing Journal Founder and Publisher
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Agenda Tuesday, November 5, 2013 • The University Club of New York 8:00-8:45 a.m.
Breakfast + Registration
8:55-9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks Ivan Kenneally, Sourcing Journal Editor-in-Chief
9:00-9:40 a.m.
The Current State of Retail Faye Landes, Managing Director, Cowen Group David Bassuk, Managing Director, AlixPartners Allan Ellinger, Senior Managing Partner, MMG John Kernan, Vice President, Cowen Group
9:45-10:35 a.m.
Sourcing Trends 2014 Robert Sinclair, COO, Li & Fung Munir Mashooqullah, Founder and President, Synergies Worldwide Jeff Streader, Operating Partner, Retail, Marlin Equity Partners Mark Messura, Senior VP, Global Supply Chain Marketing, Cotton Inc.
10:40-10:55 a.m.
Political Dysfunction in the Supply Chain Kevin Burke, President and CEO, American Apparel and Footwear Association
10:55-11:15 a.m.
Coffee Break + Networking
11:20-12:00 p.m.
Lowering Your Landed Costs: New Strategies, New Structures, New Directions Thomas G. Travis, Managing Partner of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg (STR) Jerry Cook, Vice President Government & Trade Relations, Hanesbrands Inc. Nicole Bivens-Collinson, President, International Trade & Government Relations of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg (STR) Keith Hoover, Vice President, Material & Color Innovation, Under Armour
12:05-12:50 p.m.
Alternatives to China Rick Helfenbein, President, Luen Thai USA; Vice Chairman, American Apparel and Footwear Association Sylvia Reyes, Apparel and Textiles Sourcing Director, Proexport USA Louise Bohmann, Manager, PwC, WMS Customs & International Trade Practice
12:55-1:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks Edward Hertzman, Sourcing Journal Founder and Publisher
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Faye Landes
Managing Director, Cowen Group
Faye Landes covers broadlines retailers, footwear and apparel vendors and luxury goods companies. Most recently, Ms. Landes was a managing director at Consumer Edge Research, a sell-side boutique. Prior to working at Consumer Edge, she spent eight years on the buyside, at Ziff Brothers Investments, Moore Capital and Dawson-Herman Capital Management. Earlier in her career, Ms. Landes was a sell-side analyst at several major firms, including Salomon Smith Barney and Sanford C. Bernstein, and was ranked in the Institutional Investor survey for six years, including three years at #1. She holds an A.B. from Princeton University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
David Bassuk Managing Director, AlixPartners
David is a Managing Director and leader of the AlixPartners Global Retail Practice. He is a retail industry expert with over 25 years of industry and consulting experience. He has deep expertise in merchandising, product development, sourcing and supply chain and has worked globally with leading retailers and businesses. David has spent a significant portion of his career working with sourcing organizations and overseas buying offices for dozens of retailers. David has been consulting to leading retailers and brands for the past 20 years. David has also held management roles at Estee Lauder and at UPS.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Allan Ellinger
Senior Managing Partner, MMG
With 40 years of diverse industry experience Allan Ellinger has been an instrumental force in building MMG as the preeminent full service M&A, restructuring, turnaround and crisis management firm servicing the fashion and consumer products sector. MMG was co-founded by Mr. Ellinger in 1989, since its establishment the firm has been involved in more than 1,000 engagements. Mr. Ellinger’s broad expertise in the fashion industry includes sales and marketing, manufacturing and international sourcing, financial planning, corporate and trade finance, organizational development, corporate infrastructure and domestic and international licensing. Prior to building MMG, Mr. Ellinger was President/CEO of Basco All American Sportswear; President of multiple divisions of Biderman Industries; a Founder and Partner in Alan Flusser Inc.; and a Corporate Vice President/Assistant to the Chairman at Intercontinental Apparel. Mr. Ellinger is also a member of the AAFA Board of Directors, as well the former President of the Designer’s Collective and a former Executive Committee member of both the Men’s Fashion Association and the Fashion Roundtable. Mr. Ellinger is also a passionate advocate of social responsibility. He is the Founder and Chairman of Fashion Delivers, a non-profit foundation that battles the effects of poverty and natural disaster by supporting hundreds of community-based social service agencies throughout the U.S. and around the world. In 2010 alone, Fashion Delivers donated more than $35 million in product to victims of the earthquake in Haiti and subsequently $35 million in product donations for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Mr. Ellinger received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Management from Hofstra Univer- sity.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
John Kernan Vice President, Cowen Group
John Kernan is a research analyst covering the branded apparel and specialty retail industries. He has six years of experience covering the consumer space. Prior to joining Cowen and Company in August 2008, Mr. Kernan was an equity research associate at Morgan Keegan covering a mix of large, medium, and small-Âcap consumer companies spread across the hardline retail sector and the supply chain. Mr. Kernan has a BA in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kenan-ÂFlagler Business School at the University of North Carolina. Mr. Kernan is a CFA charterholder.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Robert Sinclair COO, Li & Fung
Chief Operating Officer overseeing all operations related to Li & Fung’s Agency business for apparel, shoes and hardgoods as well as the sourcing for Li & Fung’s distribution business. Robert joined LF Sourcing in August of 2011 as the Executive Vice President for the Life Style Brands business unit, overseeing the Global Sourcing Services for various accounts, including Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland and DKNY Jeans. Prior to this in 2009, Robert worked for VF Asia Ltd, the global procurement business unit for VF Corp based in Hong Kong, overseeing sourcing responsibilities for several of their lifestyle brands, i.e. Nautica, Lee, Wrangler EU, Lee, Wrangler Asia Pacific, 7 For All Mankind, Napapirjri, Kipling and Eastpak. In 2002 Robert founded the Hong Kong based Agency business KOMPASS, which services design driven, value added accounts, such as Adidas Y-3, John Varvatos, ESCADA AG, ST John, Karl Lagerfeld and various others. From 1990 until 2002 Robert worked for the Ralph Lauren Corporation in various capacities related to sourcing, and for the last 5 years of his career there, was the Global Vice President of Product Development. Robert started his career in the industry working for a Hong Kong based agency called Colby & Staton Fashions Ltd in 1986 and has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Singapore and New York. Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Carleton, in Ottawa Canada. He is a founding member of GAFTI, (Global Apparel and Footwear Initiative ) and is now the current Chair of GAFTI. Rob is an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and serves as an advisor to the Asia Industry Advisory Network for the College of Textiles, North Carolina State University.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Munir Mashooqullah Founder and President, Synergies Worldwide
A thought leader in global sourcing for over 25 years, Munir Mashooqullah is the founder and president of Synergies Worldwide, an apparel supply chain management firm with over 20 offices in more than 10 countries. An industry evangelist and frequent speaker at trade shows and conferences such the WWD Forum on Global Sourcing, peers often look to Mr. Mashooqullah to share his unique insights. He has collaborated with top market analysts, turnaround consulting and private equity firms in developing strategies and transforming operations for some of the best recognized retailers and fashion brands. Prior to founding Synergies in 1987, Mr. Mashooqullah was an executive in the food and textile-manufacturing sectors in South East Asia. He continues to act as chairman of application service provider QuizSense Technologies while serving on the board of various textile, design and food companies in Bangladesh, China, India and Pakistan. Mr. Mashooqullah received his MBA from the Olin School of Business from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a Development Partner for the Acumen Fund, a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty, and is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, a group founded in 1950 that promotes executive education. In 2010, he was named one of the “Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business” by the Asian American Business Development Center. Mr. Mashooqullah is actively involved with New York City’s Asia Society as well as with charitable organizations in South Asia ranging from computer literacy to drug rehabilitation. About Synergies: Synergies Worldwide is a global leader in apparel sourcing and supply chain management. For over 25 years, Synergies has provided value-added sourcing in apparel, fabrics, fashion accessories, footwear, decorative accessories, home textiles and other goods related to the fashion and hospitality industries. With over 20 offices spanning the globe in over 10 countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa, Synergies has built a dedicated team of more than 500 sourcing professionals committed to managing the world’s most recognizable fashion and apparel brands. For more information, visit http://www.synergiesworldwide.com.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Jeff Streader
Operating Partner, Retail; Marlin Equity Partners
Jeff Streader has over thirty years experience working with multi-͈channel complex global supply chains for some of the industry’s leading consumer brands and retailers. Mr. Streader is an Operating Partner with Marlin Equity, a leading private investment firm that successfully acquired and manages businesses with revenues in excess of $3 billion. Jeff focuses on investment opportunities in the retail, branded apparel and direct-͈to-͈consumer sector. From 2008 -͈ - 2011, Jeff was the Senior Vice President of the Supply Chain at Guess?, Inc., leading their global operations. He provided leadership for all post-͈design functions from raw material R&D and product development through logistics for teams in North America, Europe and Asia, in addition to managing Guess’ Asian platform. Jeff was the President of Kellwood Company’s corporate supply chain from 2006- 2006-͈2008, responsible for developing the structure and leadership for Kellwood’s sourcing, quality, logistics, distribution, trade and social compliance programs worldwide, in addition to managing Kellwood’s Asian operations. Jeff was with VF Corporation as the Vice President of Global Sourcing from 2001 -͈2006. At VF, his role was critical in the evolution of the company’s global supply chain. He developed and his team executed the sourcing strategy for expanding from an internal manufacturing platform into a balanced network of global vendors in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Prior to VF Corp., Mr. Streader served in numerous leadership roles in sales, product development, sourcing, operations and strategy with Fasturn Inc. and Oxford Industries. Jeff holds a Degree in Business Administration from Richard Stockton College in New Jersey. Jeff has been a Board Member of WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) since 2007 and he teaches in the advanced study program at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Mark Messura
Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain Marketing, Cotton Incorporated
Mark Messura is Senior Vice President in the Global Supply Chain Marketing Division at Cotton Incorporated. In this role, Messura is responsible for the company’s global product marketing programs. Messura joined Cotton Incorporated in 1994. Prior to that, he was the Director of Policy and Programs for the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, and Associate Director of the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology. Messura earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Policy Analysis from Duke University. He currently serves as the Immediate Past Chairman of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion, and is a member of the Industry Advisory Board to the Textile Development and Marketing Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Chairman of the Industry Advisory Board, Fashion and Textile Management Program at North Carolina State University.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Kevin M. Burke
President and CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
Kevin M. Burke is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Since he joined AAFA in June 2001, AAFA has grown its membership base, its member programs, its financial position and its standing on Capitol Hill. With more than 30 years of experience as a government relations professional, Burke has previously led government relations efforts for Food Distributors International, the American Bakers Association and the National Broadcasters Association. Burke also worked as a legislative assistant, and later, press secretary to Representative Norm Lent (R-NY). He began his career in 1979 at the Republican National Committee and the Reagan-Bush Presidential Campaign. Burke currently serves as chairman of Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), and sits on the board of the AAFA Education Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation. He is also a member of various political and trade association CEO groups in the Washington, DC area. Burke received a master’s degree in public administration in 1983 from the American University in Washington D.C. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Brockport.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Thomas G. Travis Managing Partner of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg (STR)
Tom Travis is managing partner of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., a leading international trade and customs law firm and serves as the chairman of its related consulting company, Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services. Combined, his law firm and consulting company are the largest worldwide provider of Customs and International trade services, with 600 global trade professionals in 12 offices throughout the U.S., and in São Paulo, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Warsaw, the Dominican Republic and Hong Kong. Mr. Travis has extensive experience in a wide variety of international trade and customs matters for the apparel, footwear and retail industries. He has represented countries and private interests in the negotiations of Free Trade Agreements and before the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, and before the revenue and customs services of many nations. Mr. Travis is a distinguished speaker and also the author of the Amazon.com bestseller, “Doing Business Anywhere: The Essential Guide to Going Global.” Mr. Travis is an honors graduate of Princeton University (A.B., 1969) and Columbia University Law School (J.D., 1972), a member of the Washington, DC, Florida, New York and New Jersey Bar Associations, and a licensed U.S. customs broker.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Jerry Cook
VP Government and Trade Relations, Hanesbrands Inc.
Jerry Cook is vice president of Government and Trade Relations for Hanesbrands Inc. Hanesbrands Inc.’s leading brands include Hanes, Hanes Her Way, Bali, Champion, Just My Size, L’eggs and Playtex, Maidenform and Gear For Sport with sales of $4.9 billion annually. Cook joined Hanesbrands Inc. in 1987 and managed various engineering functions and strategic planning roles. In his current strategic role as VP of Government and Trade Relations, Cook overseas the various trade, government, global connectivity and DHS/Customs programs. Cook is the Hanesbrands customs account manager and oversees the Hanesbrands CTPAT program. Hanesbrands Inc. operates several operations in Central America, Carribbean, Asia and Mid-East. Cook has served as a Department of Commerce ITAC-13 Advisor for textile and apparel related products as well as ITAC-14 Customs. Cook is intimately involved in the trade related agreements and the development of key strategic relations with the US government, US Congress, state governments, WTO, WCO as well as other nations. He is a Board member to key trade and business groups and key economic groups. He is a Board member of the US-ASEAN Council, NCTO, and local chamber of commerce. He has been appointed to the Cotton Board, US Treasury Advisory Committee for Customs Commercial Operations (COAC) and a member and founding/charter member with Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) with the US Customs and Border Protection. Cook is a licensed US Customs Broker. He was recently named the Chair of the United States Chamber of International Business Customs Committee. Cook is the current Chair of the American Apparel Footwear Association Government Relations Committee, Board Member of NC Chamber of Commerce and Co- Transportation Chair of Winston-Salem Chamber Transportation Committee. Cook is active in community programs and economic development projects in tNorth Carolina and abroad. Jerry is a graduate of Auburn University and resides in Winston-Salem, NC.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Nicole Bivens Collinson President, International Trade and Government Relations of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg (STR)
Nicole Bivens Collinson leads the International Trade and Government relations practice of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., and serves as managing principal of the Washington, D.C., office. She is also a member of the Firm's Operating Committee. Ms. Collinson has over 25 years’ experience in government, public affairs and lobbying. She has drafted and guided the successful implementation of several pieces of key international trade legislation positively affecting the bottom line of many U.S. companies. Clients have saved millions of dollars through the successful drafting, guidance and passage of legislation that reduces or eliminates duties -- crafting creative measures to benefit clients such as blocking changes to the First Sale doctrine, Miscellaneous Tariff Bills, specific trade preference legislation, the Generalized System of Preferences, etc. Such a track record demonstrates her ability to effectively move your agenda forward. Ms. Collinson prepares countries, companies and associations for negotiations with the United States on free trade agreements, trade and investment agreements, labor disputes or other preferential programs. In doing so she analyzes and monitors cross-cutting trade issues, including labor, the environment, food safety, customs regulations, international development and others, and helps build strong coalitions to advocate for change. Further, her work representing clients before Congress has earned her a well-respected position among politicians involved in international and business affairs. She is a well-known international trade authority in Washington, regularly called upon by members of Congress and the administration to help explain complex trade programs. Her decades of work with the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees and the Senate Finance; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Foreign Relations; and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees has established deep and lasting relations with members of Congress and their staffs.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Keith Hoover
Vice President, Material & Color Innovation, Under Armour
Keith Hoover currently serves as Vice President, Material & Color Innovation for Under Armour. He leads a unified material and color team within Under Armour Innovation that supports both innovation-driven growth and the Under Armour mission To Make All Athletes Better. Under Armour leads the world in color and material development and management as evidenced by industry and competitor adoption of these elements as value-adding best practices Mr. Hoover leads the strategy for color, fabric, and trim specification and execution, as well as for defining and implementing processes for digital color definition and validation. He establishes feasible color, material, and trim standards that drive competent commercial execution. Mr. Hoover joined Under Armour in January 2012. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Global Color and Fabric Innovation at J.C. Penney. Previous roles include Senior Manager of Design Resources at Land's End, Senior Manager of Global Color Services for Target Corporation, and Director of Color Management for Fruit of the Loom. Mr. Hoover is a senior member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colors, and the author of several published works on color control and sourcing. He was a member of the founding team and Board of Directors at ViOS from 1995 - 1998. He is a graduate of Lawrence University.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Rick Helfenbein
President, Luen Thai USA; Vice Chairman, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
Rick Helfenbein is President of all USA operations for Luen Thai Holdings Limited. Luen Thai is the largest publicly listed apparel manufacturing, footwear, accessories and supply chain services company on the Hong Kong Exchange. Customers include Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch, Coach, Dillard's, Banana Republic, Adidas, Victoria's Secret, Macy's, Uniqlo and Ann Inc. Utilizing the facets of Lean Manufacturing, Lean Enterprise, and Lean Supply Chain, Luen Thai has a proven track record in China, the Philippines and Cambodia, where their manufacturing facilities are considered to be some of the finest in the world. Mr. Helfenbein has been credited with numerous achievements in the apparel and supply chain field, including the creation of the original Le Tigre brand, and helping to engineer the label split between the Izod and Lacoste brands. Over the years, he successfully turned around two ailing apparel companies, and has pioneered trade development for many Latin American and Asian countries. Mr. Helfenbein has served on the management boards of Campus Sportswear (Le Tigre), Crystal Brands (Lacoste) and the Board of Blythedale Children's Hospital in New York. He currently sits on the Executive Committee and Board of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, and holds the office of AAFA Vice Chairman. Mr. Helfenbein is on the Apparel Studies Advisory Board of the University of Arkansas, and the Wisdom Council of The Greyston Foundation. As the apparel business has shifted strategies, Rick Helfenbein has been at the forefront of sourcing restructure and quick response. Following successful expansion into Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, he ventured into Mexico and helped set up a fully integrated vertical mill. After the January 2010 devastating earthquake in Haiti, he was named Co-Chair of HARRT, Haiti AAFA Recovery and Reconstruction Team, and continues to work and help with the Clinton Global Initiative towards the revitalization of the Haitian Assembly Industry. Mr. Helfenbein has written several articles on trade matters for Sourcing Journal and WWD. Mr. Helfenbein holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the Wharton Business School. He often lectures at distinguished universities and industry conferences on the subjects of international trade and supply chain management. He remains active in Washington, DC as an advocate for a robust USA trade agenda.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Sylvia Reyes
Apparel and Textiles Sourcing Director, Proexport USA
Sylvia Reyes is the Apparel and Textiles Sourcing Director at Proexport Colombia, the Colombian Government Trade Bureau. From her office in New York City, Mrs. Reyes is strengthening business opportunities with the US market and the Colombian industry after the signing and implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between both countries. Sylvia’s remarkable experience includes the execution of export plans to help the Colombian industry to enter into the USA. She has been involved in different paths of development related to international relations and trade in Colombia and abroad after completing specialization in trade and international relations and having accomplished three degrees in the field. Her publications include more than two papers in international science journals based on the last 10 years of textiles trade between the United States and Colombia. Major awards have been granted to Sylvia for expanding the expected results in exports as the Textile Director for the annual results for 2005-2009 that overcame the $50 million per year handling more than 50 projects and more than 200 accounts in the USA. Back in Colombia, she was in charge of the textile program and market with all countries around the world and the export diversification strategy in 2009- 2010 to compensate the effects of the international crisis. Mrs. Reyes was also appointed as Director for Commercial Information in Proexport Colombia to help to coordinate the strategy, studies, and preparation for the Free Trade Agreements signed with Canada, Switzerland, United States and Central America and those to be signed with the European Union and Korea.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Louise Bohmann
Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers, WMS Customs and International Trade Practice
Louise Bohmann is a Manager in the New York office of PwC's WMS -Â Customs & International Trade Practice where she advises U.S. and multinational companies in structuring their business processes and transactions to ensure regulatory compliance with U.S. customs and international trade regulatory matters. In this regard, she has helped numerous companies identify cost savings opportunities, increase customs operational efficiencies and reduce internal control and compliance risk. Prior to joining PwC, Louise was a law clerk to the Honorable Evan J. Wallach at the U.S. Court of International Trade, an Article III court with national and exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over disputes arising under the customs and international trade laws of the United States including valuation, classification, anti-Âdumping, countervailing and penalty issues. Louise received her law degree from the City University of New York School of Law in 2006, where she was Symposium Editor of the New York City Law Review. Prior to law school, Ms. Bohmann received her B.A. from The London School of Economics and Political Science. Louise is a member of the New York State bar, admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of International Trade and is currently serving as Chair of the International Trade Committee of the New York City Bar Association.
2013 | Sourcing Journal SummiT | speakers
sourcing summit
Reflections
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projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Attendee Information VICTOR ALMEIDA
Textile Engineer / Sales / Customer Support Buhler Quality Yarns Corp.
RASHA ALOMAR Fabric R&D Director Komar
AUGUST H. ALPERN HMS Productions, Inc.
SPENSER J. ALPERN HMS Productions, Inc.
LISA BERG-WEINER Account Manager ecVision
PHILIP C. BERG Attorney Otterbourg
SHELLY BANJO
Press The Wall Street Journal
ANNA BEAULIEU
Director of Product Development LFUSA/F&T Apparel LLC
STUART BENDER CFO Oved Apparel
IVO CAIXEIRO
JOSEPH BIBI
President Concepts NYC Inc.
MAUREEN CAMPBELL
Director of Design Operations Maidenform
BETH BIGGS
Sr. Sourcing Specialist Jockey International, Inc.
TRICIA CAREY
Senior Merchandising Manager Lenzing Fibers Inc.
MARGARET BISHOP
Adjunct Faculty Fashion Institute of Technology
JIM BAKER
Director, Product Life Cycle Revolution Dancewear
President of Sales, Marketing, and Research & Development NGC Software
Merchandise Manager, LF Product/ Home Li & Fung Ltd
CARMEN ARTIGAS
Professor Fashion Institute of Technology
MARK BURSTEIN
LAUREN CASSEL
Equity Research Associate Morgan Stanley
DEBORAH BLAYNEY
Director of Raw Material Development Maidenform
ALEX BLUMBERG Marketing Grupo M
ZOE CHACE
Reporter NPR’s Planet Money
SUSANA CHARM Marketing Manager Alvanon, Inc.
TOM BRASBERGER Project Manager Vantage Apparel
DAVID BRESLOF Sourcing Manager TJX Companies
ANGELA CHEW
SVP Global Sourcing DXLG
ASHNA CHOPRA
Director, Global Sourcing Hudson’s Bay Company
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | Attendees
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Attendee Information DERICK CLOSE
MORRIS DABAH
DIRK DUNLAP
SILVIA COBOS
MORRIS DABAH
MICHAEL EBER
SEVEN COHEN
ADAM DAVIDSON
CEO Springs Creative Products Group, LLC
SE Exec Rep USA ProExport
Director of Global Sourcing Karmaloop.com
CHRISTINA CORRALEZ
Attendee Relations/Sponsorship Management Sourcing at MAGIC
ALEXIS COYLE
Manager Fairchild Fashion Media
ROSE ANN CRUZ
EVP Sales Tawil Associates Inc.
Brand Manager Oved Apparel
Co-founder and Co-host NPR’s Planet Money
AMY DAVIS
Production Director Lifted Research Group
HAL B. DAVIS
Sr. Vice President Shanghai Shenda (America)
JOHN DEEM
President MB Sport, LLC
Director of Sourcing – Outlet and Wholesale The Children’s Place
MIKE ELIA
President and CEO
EMILIA FABRICANT EVP Aéropostale
DAVID FEIG
Regional Sales Manager Asia Inspection
EVP Sourcing & Product Development The Jones Group
BARBARA FEVELO-HOAD
AYDIN CUBUKCU
CHRIS DEGAETANO
DAVID FORD
BILL CURTIN
BARBARA DeROSSI
PATRICK FRENCH
LORNE CYTRYNBAUM
STEVE DOMARATZKI
Vice President, Sourcing & Production AmeriCo Group
President Stella Sourcing LLC
Owner BPD Washhouse
Vice President of Sourcing & Compliance The Men’s Wearhouse
Vice President of Operations Santa Fe Apparel
Materials Sourcing PVH
Senior Vice President of Sales, Production and Design Canaren Inc.
SVP Production and Technical Design Aéropostale
VP of Sourcing & Production Intradeco Apparel, Inc.
Hanbo Enterprises
PETER GABBE
COO Jump Apparel Group
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | Attendees
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Attendee Information MONTE GALBRAITH
REENA GUPTA
TONY GALVAO
DAVID HABERT
President Denim North America
EVP Sportswear Weatherproof
LAUREN GEARHART Director of Sales Panjiva
LEV GELFAND
Sr. Director Product Sourcing The Jones Group
MICHAEL GILSON
Vice President- Private Brands/Global Sourcing/Specialty Retail Finance and Administration Hudson’s Bay Company
STUART GOLDBLATT
Executive Vice President, Private Brands Macy’s
Director, Global Sourcing The Children’s Place
Executive Manager Jesco Footwear Group, Inc.
SHELLY HABINSKY President INT Trading USA
Vice President Production and Sourcing AmeriCo Group, Inc.
JOHN GORAIEB President ACI Brands Inc.
JEREMIAH GRIFFITHS President Agartha
Vice President of Sourcing & Global Manufacturing HomTex
CAROLE HOCHMAN
Creative Director Carole Hochman Design Group
FUSUN HOFER
President and CEO Suntex Global Sourcing Inc.
GEORGE HALL VP Fabric R&D Macy’s
PIERRE NICOLAS HURSTEL CEO CURVExpo Inc.
KRISTA HARTMAN
VP, Director of Design and Product Development Royal Heritage Home
RIC HENDEE
SVP Consumer Marketing Cotton Inc.
JERRY HERTZMAN HOWARD GOLDSTEIN
KENNY HINES
Senior Vice President IDB BANK
STEVE HURWITZ
Sr. VP Prod Development, Manufacturing and Sourcing Tumi
KATHLEEN HYNES R&D Director Express
JUDY IM CALLANAN
DVP of Preproduction for Apparel, Accessories & Footwear Sears / KMart
ISAAC HIDARY
Sourcing Executive M. Hidary & Co.
AKIKO INUI
VP Fabric Sourcing PVH
JENNIFER HIGGINS
Sr. Director, Global Supply Chain PVH
SANDY JABAILY
AVP Product Development TJX Companies
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | Attendees
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Attendee Information KATHLEEN JACK
COLLEEN KELLY
SASHA LAMB
TRENT JANIK
ERIN KELLY
BYRON LEE
NANCY JIANG
BART KENNEDY
ROBIN LENGE
SAMI KHAN
ROSALINA LEUNG
FRANZISKA KIRCHGAESSNER
LINDA LEVINE
PHILIP KLEIN, ESQ
CHRIS LI
JAN ROGERS KNIFFEN
JUDY Q. LI
VP Intl Marketing Sycamore Mktg Group
VP Sourcing and Manufacturing Kate Spade
VP of Sourcing Oshkosh, Carters Inc.
DAVID JONES
Vice President of Manufacturing and Global Sourcing Landau
RUSSELL JOWELL
Communications Manager Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production
JOHN JUDGE
Sourcing Manager TJX Companies
LISA KANG
Production Manager Kahn Lucas LLC
President Kahn Lucas LLC
Consumer Analyst MFP Investors
Marketing Lenzing Fibers Inc.
Founder Crestex
President Royal Heritage Home
VICTORIA KELECHIAN Product Director Mirvik Group Inc.
Director HKTDC
Director Sourcing and Manufacturing Kate Spade
Vice President LF Sourcing
Director, Global Sourcing Hudson’s Bay Company
Attorney at Law Klein Associates
CEO J Rogers Kniffen WWE, LLC
OLGA KOEL MICHAEL KAPLAN
Design Agartha
Senior Vice President, Chief
Director, Global Supply Chain/QA Vantage Apparel
Director, Sourcing & Production AmeriCo Group
Fabric Sourcing & Development Manager G-III Apparel / Calvin Klein Group
CHRISTOPHER LORUSSO
Danier Leather Inc.
Vice President of Global Sourcing The Children’s Place
JEFF KREINDEL
CURTIS LOUIE
Director of Sales and Marketing USA Pearl Global Industries, Ltd
Marketing Manager HKTDC
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | Attendees
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Attendee Information THOMAS LUTAZI
DAVID V. MILLER
MIKE OVED
KARLA MAGRUDER
BRIAN MINKOFF
JONATHAN OZDEMIR
SONALI MALHAN
NICK MORENO
RENEE PAYTON
Founder Hermitian Textiles
Owner Fabrikology International
SVP Global Sourcing Hudson’s Bay Company
Senior VP of Sales Intradeco Apparel, Inc.
Orchard Brands
Manager of Far East Production Superior Uniform Group
ABIE MAMIYE
BRYAN NELLA
Vice President of Global Sourcing Mamiye Brothers, Inc
ELAYNE MASTERSON
Director of Merchandising Esquel
MICHAEL MASTRANGELO Director of Production Tri-Coastal Design Group, Inc.
ROGER MAYERSON
Director of Business Solutions NGC Software
KRUPALI MEHTA
Manager of Business Development Synergies Worldwide
LUIS MEJIA
Executive VP American Textile & Apparel Inc.
Marketing Director GT Nexus
JEFF NOTT
Publisher Textile Insight Magazine
ANDREW OLAH Founder Kingpins
General Manager Fairchild Fashion Media
Operations Manager Mighty Fine
DAVID OVED CEO Oved Apparel
VP Sourcing Ava Design, LLC
Vice President, Business Development Tradegood
ANDREW D. POSTAL
Managing Partner Marketing Management Group
JAMES PRUDEN
Senior Director, Public Relations Cotton Inc.
NOEL PUFFER
Product Development Manager Lifted Research Group
LARRY OLIVER
ERIC OPENA
Vice President Oved Apparel EMG9
STEVEN QUON
Vice President of Sales ecVision
ANDRE RAGHU Tradegood
MOLLY RAMMEL
Director of Product Development Ellery Homestyles
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | Attendees
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Attendee Information ELYSE TOSI
Brand Product Manager MGF Sourcing
DR. KEILA TYNER
Assistant Professor Texas State University
VIVIAN SIQI WU
Director, Procurement and Global Sourcing, Procurement Saks Fifth Avenue
INNA ZUBASHKO
Director New Business Development Macy’s Merchandising Group
DIANA VARGAS
NA Marketing Director, Apparel Invista
Addendum
ZILAY WAHIDY
SHELLEY FOLAND
Senior Vice President HAB Bank
MATTHEW WALLACE SVP supply chain PVH Corp
EMILY WALZER
Editor Textile Insight Magazine
SUSAN WILCOX
Director of Global Sourcing, Project Management OSP GROUP
CEO Boxercraft
RON GRILLI
VP, Business Development NGC Software
NANCY HOCH JP Morgan
ASIF SAEED KHAN
Commercial Counsellor Consulate General of Pakistan New York USA
MASSIMO MAROLO JP Morgan
TYLER WRAY
Product Development Agartha
ANDREW SIA
President ACE Style Business Services LLC
MARGARET WRIGHT
EVP Production & Sourcing Apparel & Lingerie Mast Global/Limited Brands
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | Attendees
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 JANUARY 1/1
New Year’s Day (China, Colombia, Honduras, India, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, USA)
1/1
International New Year’s Day (Vietnam)
1/1
Bank Holiday (Egypt)
1/4
Independence Day (Myanmar/Burma)
1/6
Epiphany (Colombia)
1/7
Coptic Christmas Day (Egypt)
1/7
Guru Govind Singh Jayanti (India)
1/14
Prophet Mohamed’s birthday (Egypt)
1/14
Milad un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad (India)
1/14
Pongal (India)
1/14
Makar Sankranti (India)
1/14
Eid Milad un-Nabi (Pakistan)
1/20
Martin Luther King Day (USA)
1/25
Revolution Day January 25 (Egypt)
1/26
Republic Day (India)
1/30
Spring Festival Golden Week holiday (China)
1/30
Seollal Holiday Day 1 (South Korea)
1/30
Vietnamese New Year’s Eve (Vietnam)
1/31
Chinese New Year (China)
1/31
Seollal Holiday Day 2 (South Korea)
1/31
Vietnamese New Year (Vietnam)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 FEBRUARY 2/1
Spring Festival Golden Week holiday (China)
2/1
Seollal Holiday Day 3 (South Korea)
2/1
Tet holiday (Vietnam)
2/2
Spring Festival Golden Week holiday (China)
2/2
Tet holiday (Vietnam)
2/3
Spring Festival Golden Week holiday (China)
2/3
Day off for Constitution Day (Mexico)
2/3
Tet holiday (Vietnam)
2/4
Spring Festival Golden Week holiday (China)
2/4
Vasant Panchami (India)
2/4
Tet holiday (Vietnam)
2/5
Spring Festival Golden Week holiday (China)
2/5
Constitution Day (Mexico)
2/5
Kashmir Day (Pakistan)
2/5
Tet holiday (Vietnam)
2/12
(Myanmar/Burma)
2/14
Guru Ravidas Jayanti (India)
2/17
Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) (USA)
2/19
Shivaji Jayanti (India)
2/24
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti (India)
2/27
Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri (India)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 MARCH 3/1
Independence Movement Day (South Korea)
3/2
Peasants Day (Myanmar/Burma)
3/7
Full Moon of Tabaung (Myanmar/Burma)
3/16
Holi (India)
3/16
Dolyatra (India)
3/16
Purim (Deliverance of the Jews) (Israel)
3/17
Holi (India)
3/17
Day off for Benito Juárez’s Birthday Memorial (Mexico)
3/21
Benito Juárez’s Birthday Memorial (Mexico)
3/23
Pakistan Day (Pakistan)
3/24
Saint Joseph (Colombia)
3/27
Armed Forces Day (Myanmar/Burma)
3/31
Chaitra Sukhladi (India)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 APRIL 4/5
Qing Ming Jie (China)
4/8
Rama Navami (India)
4/9
Vietnamese Kings’ Commemoration Day (Vietnam)
4/13
Palm Sunday (Colombia)
4/13
Mahavir Jayanti (India)
4/14
Vaisakhi (India)
4/15
Mesadi/Vaisakhadi (India)
4/15
Pesach I (First day of Passover) (Israel)
4/17
Maundy Thursday (Colombia, Honduras, Mexico)
4/17
Myanmar New Year (Myanmar/Burma)
4/18
Good Friday (Colombia, Honduras, India, Mexico, Pakistan, USA)
4/19
Holy Saturday (Honduras)
4/20
Easter Day (Colombia, India, USA)
4/20
Coptic Easter Sunday (Egypt)
4/21
Spring Festival (Egypt)
4/21
Pesach VII (Last day of Passover) (Israel)
4/21
Easter Monday (Pakistan)
4/23
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Turkey)
4/25
Sinai Liberation Day (Egypt)
4/27
Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Memorial Day (Israel)
4/30
(Vietnam)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 MAY 5/1
Labor Day / May Day (China, Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, Mexico, Pakistan, South Korea)
5/1
Labor and Solidarity Day (Turkey)
5/1
International Labor Day (Vietnam)
5/1
Labor Day – Thursday (Myanmar/Burma)
5/5
Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) (Israel)
5/5
Children’s Day (South Korea)
5/5
Full Moon of Kason (Myanmar/Burma)
5/6
Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) (Israel)
5/6
Buddha’s Birthday (South Korea)
5/9
Birthday of Ravindranath (India)
5/13
Hazarat Ali’s Birthday (India)
5/14
Buddha Purnima/Vesak (India)
5/19
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkey)
5/26
Memorial Day (USA)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 JUNE 6/2
Dragon Boat Festival (China)
6/2
Ascension Day (Colombia)
6/4
Shavuot (Pentecost) (Israel)
6/6
Memorial Day (South Korea)
6/23
Corpus Christi (Colombia)
6/29
Rath Yatra (India)
6/30
Sacred Heart (Colombia)
6/30
Saint Peter and Saint Paul (Colombia)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 JULY 7/1
July 1 Bank Holiday (Egypt)
7/4
Independence Day (USA)
7/19
Martyrs’ Day (Myanmar/Burma)
7/20
Independence Day (Colombia)
7/23
Revolution Day (Egypt)
7/25
Jamat Ul-Vida (India)
7/29
End of Ramadan (Egypt)
7/29
Eid-ul-Fitr Day 1 (Pakistan)
7/30
End of Ramadan Day 2 (Egypt)
7/30
Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar (India)
7/30
Eid-ul-Fitr Day 2 (Pakistan)
7/31
End of Ramadan Day 3 (Egypt)
7/31
Eid-ul-Fitr Day 3 (Pakistan)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 AUGUST 8/2
Full Moon of Waso (Beginning of Buddhist Lent) (Myanmar/Burma)
8/5
Tisha B’Av (Israel)
8/7
Battle of Boyacá (Colombia)
8/10
Raksha Bandhan (India)
8/14
Independence Day (Pakistan)
8/15
Independence Day (India)
8/15
Liberation Day (South Korea)
8/17
Janmashtami (India)
8/18
Assumption of Mary (Colombia)
8/18
Parsi New Year (India)
8/29
Ganesh Chaturthi (India)
8/30
Victory Day (Turkey)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 SEPTEMBER 9/1
Labor Day (USA)
9/2
Independence Day (Vietnam)
9/7
Onam (India)
9/7
Mid-Autumn Festival Day 1 (South Korea)
9/8
Mid-Autumn Festival (China)
9/8
Mid-Autumn Festival Day 2 (South Korea)
9/9
Mid-Autumn Festival Day 3 (South Korea)
9/15
Independence Day (Honduras)
9/16
Independence Day (Mexico)
9/17
Teacher´s Day (Honduras)
9/25
Rosh Hashana (New Year) (Israel)
9/26
Rosh Hashana II (New Year day 2) (Israel)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 OCTOBER 10/1
National Day (China)
10/2
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (India)
10/3
National Day Golden Week holiday (China)
10/3
Moranzan´s Day (Honduras)
10/3
Dussehra (Maha Navami) (India)
10/3
National Foundation Day (South Korea)
10/4
Eid ul-Adha (Bangladesh)
10/4
Yom Kippur (Israel)
10/5
Eid ul-Adha Day 2 (Bangladesh)
10/5
(Egypt)
10/5
(Pakistan)
10/6
Eid ul-Adha Day 3 (Bangladesh)
10/6
Eid-ul-Azha Day 2 (Pakistan)
10/9
Sukkot I (Israel)
10/9
Hangeul Proclamation Day (South Korea)
10/13 Columbus Day (Colombia, USA) 10/17
(Israel)
10/20 Columbus Day (Honduras) 10/23
(India)
10/25 Muharram (Egypt) 10/25 Bhai Duj (India) 10/28 Republic Day Eve (Turkey) 10/29 Republic Day (Turkey) 10/30
(Myanmar/Burma)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 NOVEMBER 11/2
First Day of Ashura (Pakistan)
11/3
Muharram/Ashura (Bangladesh)
11/3
All Saints’ Day (Colombia)
11/3
Second Day of Ashura (Pakistan)
11/4
Muharram/Ashura (India)
11/6
Guru Nanak Jayanti (India)
11/9
Iqbal Day (Pakistan)
11/11 Veterans Day (USA) 11/17 Independence of Cartagena (Colombia) 11/17 Day off for Revolution Day Memorial (Mexico) 11/20 Revolution Day Memorial (Mexico) 11/24 Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day (India) 11/27 Thanksgiving Day (USA) 11/28 Tazaungmone Full Moon Day (Myanmar/Burma)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
International Holidays 2014 DECEMBER 12/8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Colombia)
12/8
National Day (Myanmar/Burma)
12/16 Victory Day (Bangladesh) 12/17 Hanukkah I (Holiday of lights) (Israel) 12/24 Christmas Eve (Bangladesh, Colombia, Honduras, India, Mexico, Myanmar/Burma, Pakistan, South Korea, USA) 12/25 Christmas Day (Bangladesh, Colombia, Honduras, India, Mexico, Myanmar/Burma, Pakistan, South Korea, USA) 12/25 Quaid-e-Azam Day (Pakistan) 12/26 Day After Christmas (Pakistan) 12/31 New Year’s Eve (Bangladesh, USA)
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | HOLIDAYS
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
Contact Information Sourcing Journal Staff: EDWARD HERTZMAN Founder and Publisher edward@sourcingjournalonline.com
IVAN KENNEALLY Editor-in-Chief ivan@sourcingjournalonline.com
TARA DONALDSON Associate Editor tara@sourcingjournalonline.com
PATRICK LAMSON-HALL Senior Correspondent patrick@sourcingjournalonline.com
JOEL FERTEL Associate Publisher joel@sourcingjournalonline.com
MICHAEL CARAVAGLIA Chief Operations Officer michael@sourcingjournalonline.com Visit us at: sourcingjournalonline.com
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | contacts
sourcing summit
Reflections
&
projections Nov. 5 2013 | New York
2013 | Sourcing Journal Summit | notes
Confessions of a Sourcing Executive To All Of Us In The Industry: As we conclude one turbulent year and prepare to begin another, I thought that -- instead of complaining -- it’s time that I make a few confessions. Why the confession? This year compliance, safety and ethical sourcing have become mainstream issues. And even though the global economy continues to struggle, buyers are holding back on placing orders, asking for inspections to be made and documents verified so they can sell themselves to their clients as socially responsible companies. Well, as a sourcing executive I must confess that: • We all need to do a better job in understanding what compliance really entails, and not just as a matter of pro forma procedure • We need to be more proactive in times of crisis and ensure that compliance isn’t hijacked by special interest opportunists • We also have to recognize, despite all the grandstanding, that producing apparel in developing countries is one of the most effective ways to lift them out of poverty. Also, it often especially advantages women, who gain respectable employment that would be otherwise elusive. Before we sanctimoniously consider pulling our business from a country like Bangladesh or Cambodia, we should remember that real people depend upon the jobs that business generates. • Effective vigilance requires boots on the ground and so lets collectively commit to actually visiting the factories we use, inspecting them in person and interrogating the owners. • We simply have to accept that real compliance carries real costs. Maybe we should financially reward those who distinguish themselves as truly responsible at every link of the supply chain. • At the conclusion of every year, we should take stock of our progress (or lack thereof) in a way that is measurable. • Let us all say a prayer for those who passed away this year when we celebrate our holidays. HAPPY HOLIDAYS K. Munir Mashooqullah Founder & President Synergies Worldwide www.synergiesworldwide.com