Lenexa, KS: GEAR For Sports®, a major supplier of sportswear apparel to the college bookstore market, announces the opening of its GEARnosweat.com web site. This web site launches on January 10, 2000 after a decision by the Company in October of 1999 to reveal a complete list of manufacturers that supply product to the collegiate market. GEAR For Sports® was the first major supplier of sportswear to the collegiate market that agreed to public disclosure of factory production locations.

John Menghini, President and CEO of GEAR For Sports®, reported that since the announcement of full factory disclosure, GFSI has put the finishing touches on the GEARnosweat.com web site which features a wealth of information about global human rights compliance issues. "This new web site has been developed so that our customers and the consumers who buy our products can learn about how our apparel is manufactured around the world," stated Menghini.  

A major component of GEARnosweat.com is the factory location database. This extensive database is searchable and will assist consumers with tracking garments styles to specific overseas factory locations. All collegiate licensed apparel produced by GEAR For Sports is contained in the above-mentioned database on the web site.

John Joerger, Director of Global Human Rights Compliance at GEAR For Sports®, stated that “anyone who wants to get this information be it a consumer, be it a student, be it the university themselves will have access to the web site. They will be able to look up specific factory information by entering the GEAR For Sports® style number that is located on the garment label.” Joerger noted that for each database query or search, a report is generated that can be printed out for in-depth review.

John Menghini stated that the “GEARnosweat.com web site is very much a work in progress. It is our intention that our web site be both easy to use and informative.” He went on to explain that “it is our hope that this web site can provide an additional forum from which the issues can be studied and working conditions improved.” Representing GEAR For Sports®, Menghini assumed a leadership position in the industry through the formation of a partnership known as CIIRM, the Collegiate Industry Initiative for Responsible Manufacturing, for which he serves as chairman. CIIRM was formed in August 1999 and serves as a talking forum for all like stakeholders to come together to discuss issues and then determine ways to educate the public.  

In addition to the factory database and CIIRM proceedings, GEARnosweat.com contains a variety of resources for individuals who visit the web site. Offerings include a news link to current global human rights information, GEAR Business Code of Conduct, GEAR For Sports® views as well as other related information.  

The opening of the web site marks a direct link between GEAR For Sports® and the general public on the issue of apparel manufacturing. The web site will continue to be updated with resources, news briefs and other relevant information.  The Company welcomes comments from interested parties about the information presented on the GEARnosweat.com web site. All e-mail communication should be sent to gearnosweat@gfsiinc.com for issues relating to the web site or global human rights compliance information in general.

With a strong focus on quality and customer service, the company’s product line of custom decorated merchandise includes apparel and accessories, all marketed under the GEAR For Sports® brand name. The company continues to enjoy success and growth in the college bookstore, resort, corporate, military and professional team markets.