Apparel manufacturers and retailers across the globe have been hit hard by a range of stresses and strains placed on their supply chains. The problems, which arise from various sources, are especially pronounced in light of today’s financial crisis.
However, with challenge comes opportunity, as pointed out by industry leaders who spoke at Prime Source Forum 2009 (PSF 09) held last month in Hong Kong. “Partnership” emerged as the overriding solution to tackling supply chain deficiencies, as experts called for stronger cooperation on transparency, compliance standardisation and product safety.
The annual Prime Source Forum, the definitive meeting place for decision makers in the global apparel industry, brought together about 400 participants from 25 countries for the fourth time to deliberate the challenges and opportunities facing this multi-million-dollar sector.
PSF 09 opened with a series of operational workshops on Day 1, followed by a two-day Forum where panel discussions covered topics that ranged from the political implications on Sourcing, Product Safety, Sustainability and Technology versus Talent Management to the changes in Retailing. (See Appendix A for the full programme.)
Welcoming the participants was Michael Duck, director of PSF organiser, APLF Ltd (see Appendix B ), who reminded everyone that the PSF concept was born in the light of the abolition of quotas in 2005, when many in the industry foresaw the development of a chaotic situation. “The challenges have changed, but the need for informal discussions has never been greater than today,” noted Mr. Duck.
Markus Lampe, Senior VP, Marketing of CRYSTALLIZED – Swarovski Elements, D. Swarovski & Co., one of the sponsors of PSF 2009, said in his introductory address: “As consumers call for traceability, supply chain standards, product authenticity and quality, so responsible business behaviour becomes essential for any company.”
PSF 09 also welcomed Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, who outlined the measures taken by the HKSAR Government to help the industry respond to the economic turmoil. One such initiative is the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), which supports innovation and technology upgrading in industry, and aims to increase the value-added productivity and competitiveness of economic activities. Mrs. Lau said: “Since its establishment in 1999, the ITF has supported 61 innovative textiles/clothing-related research projects with total funding of US$31 million.” Lau also explained the government’s special loan guarantee scheme, set up in December 2008 to ease the credit crunch and help businesses obtain bank loans.
Following the opening addresses, eight interactive sessions were held over the following two days, each with its own moderator and five industry specialists on the panel. The participants convened in true forum style, with the enthusiastic delegates taking part in spirited and often controversial discussions with the panelists.
The need for stronger partnerships resonated across the sessions, with a range of opinions expressed as to how partnerships could be created and nurtured in order to be mutually beneficial and provide value to all involved. Most speakers noted that partners need to re-examine their cooperative efforts to achieve standardised compliance regulations and greater product safety.
Businesses in the apparel sector must be ready, willing and able to react proactively to changing circumstances precipitated, or worsened, by the financial crisis, as well as be ready to move forward in a more sustainable manner.
The original Prime Source Forum endorsing associations, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, The Foreign Trade Association in Brussels and the United States Association of Importers of Textiles & Apparel, have now been joined by many other prestigious industry organisations from all over the world (see Appendix C). PSF 09 was also sponsored by many well-known brands and industry suppliers (see Appendix D).
The 5th edition of Prime Source Forum, the definitive meeting place for the global apparel industry, will be held in Hong Kong from 29th–31st March 2010.
• Appendix A – PSF09 Programme
• Appendix B - The organisers
APLF Ltd. is a joint venture between UBM Asia Ltd. and the SIC Group of France. Owned by United Business Media Ltd. (UBM), which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 13 sectors with its headquarters in Hong Kong. The company has more than 130 media products in three categories: trade fairs, print media and B2B portals. As Asia’s leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in the two fastest growing markets in Asia, China and India, UBM Asia stages the leading events of their kind across the region. The company’s 110 events attract an annual attendance of 30,000 quality exhibitors and some 1.3 million visitors from all over the world who come to meet their target business partners face to face for business matching and networking. UBM Asia also publishes high-quality trade publications that capture the market trends and industry news for 191,000 industry professionals. Complementing the exhibitions and publications are round-the-clock, industry-specific B2B portals that provide a series of online trading networks, industry news hubs, and sourcing and marketing platforms for the world’s trade buyers and suppliers. The company employs over 650 staff in 15 major cities in Asia and the US.
The SIC Group is part of the Conseil National de Cuir (French Leather Council), which represents the leather profession in France and is a leader in the organisation of international events
• Appendix C – Endorsing Associations
• Appendix D - Sponsors
