FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2000
For
more information, contact:
Jennifer Sanborn, Parris Communications, 816/931-8900
John Joerger, GEAR For Sports®, 913/693-3314
Move
Reinforces Strong Commitment to Human Rights Issues
Lenexa, Kan: GEAR For Sports®, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of sportswear apparel for the collegiate bookstore market, announced today its decision to join the Fair Labor Association (FLA), reinforcing its commitment to human rights issues worldwide. This step makes GEAR the first collegiate licensed apparel company to join the organization since its founding in November 1998.
The FLA, a non-profit organization made up of consumer, human and labor rights groups, was established to protect the rights of workers in the United States and around the world. The FLA is a diverse group of manufacturers, consumer groups, labor and human rights organizations and U.S. universities brought together by the White House in August 1996 to address labor rights standards.
Discussions
between John Menghini, President and CEO of GEAR For Sports®, and
FLA Executive Director Sam Brown, led both sides to the quick
conclusion that they share a common goal of improving working
conditions in factories in the United States and abroad.
According to Menghini, “The decision to join the FLA was based upon our company’s long-standing corporate strategy to eliminate sweatshops and improve working conditions in our contract factories. Our new partnership with FLA ensures that GEAR For Sports® will be proactive and aggressive in evaluating our factories and improving factory conditions wherever our products are made.”
“GEAR For Sports® has taken a leadership role in the issue of human rights for many years,” said Sam Brown, Executive Director of the FLA. “We look forward to a highly cooperative relationship with GEAR and are excited about the prospect of working together to reach out to other companies in the collegiate sportswear arena. GEAR is an important ally in our mission of improving workers’ rights.”
GEAR’s first public step in addressing complex human rights issues took place in January 2000 when the company initiated a disclosure program, publishing a complete list of its factories manufacturing collegiate apparel.
Bob
Durkee, Vice President of Public Affairs at Princeton
University, feels GEAR’s decision to join FLA is a significant
development. “A
large number of the 137 schools involved in the FLA have
licenses with GEAR For Sports®.
The leadership role GEAR has taken with this announcement
and its full disclosure program show the company’s commitment
and response to the universities with which it has contracts,”
he added.
Menghini noted, “It is imperative for the credibility of the collegiate community that all stakeholders, including the manufacturers, collaborate and cooperate in developing effective solutions for improving working conditions for apparel workers around the world,” he added.
“We have had a long-standing partnership with GEAR for many years,” said Carol Kaesbier, Vice President and General Counsel at Notre Dame, and Co-Chair of the University Advisory Council of FLA. “GEAR has always been committed to improving working conditions in manufacturing facilities, and we hope their decision to join the FLA will be the impetus for others to come on board as well.”
GEAR’s collegiate licensed apparel business represents approximately $40 million in annual sales, or roughly 20% of its business. Menghini said that the company has stayed extremely close to the rising concerns expressed by its collegiate customers nationwide in recent months.
“We understand that promoting fair labor practices around the world is not so much a destination as it is a journey, and believe the journey will be faster and smoother by fully participating in the FLA,” said Menghini.
“We are delighted by the decision of GEAR For Sports® to participate in the FLA,” said Michael Posner, Executive Director, Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. “Their involvement certainly will help to advance the efforts to protect the rights of workers here and abroad.”
FLA members include: the International Labor Rights Fund, the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, the National Council of Churches, the National Consumers League and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights. Eleven leading apparel and footwear manufacturers and retailers are also affiliated with the FLA: Adidas-Solomon A.G., Eddie Bauer, Kathie Lee Gifford, Levi Strauss & Co, Liz Claiborne, L.L. Bean, Nike, Patagonia, Phillips Van-Heusen and Reebok. In addition, 137 colleges and universities have affiliated with the FLA to ensure that companies producing goods under their licenses are operating in accordance with FLA principles and the Workplace Code of Conduct.
GEAR For Sports® is a leading national sportswear apparel manufacturer headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas. Founded in 1974, the company has grown from a small, entrepreneurial sportswear company to a fast-growing leader in the custom logoed apparel business with more than 800 employees.
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.