COLLEGIATE SPORTSWEAR MANUFACTURER
GEAR FOR SPORTS® TO DISCLOSE FACTORY LIST

John Menghini, President and CEO of GEAR For Sports®, said that the decision to release the company’s list was based on several factors. In the end, he explained, the decision was a relatively easy one, based on what he characterized as "clear and decisive guiding principles of our business."

According to GEAR’s Director of Global Human Rights Compliance, John Joerger, GEAR For Sports® would initiate its disclosure program on January 10, 2000, when it publishes its complete list of factories manufacturing collegiate apparel. "Over the next 10-12 weeks, GEAR will develop the computer database that will facilitate the company ’s ability to match up specific school’s merchandise with the actual factory producing those products," Joerger explained. "Effective factory disclosure must be a dynamic process that continually tracks where each school’s products are being manufactured."

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. Menghini also assumed a leadership position in the industry through formation of a partnership known as CIIRM, the Collegiate Industry Initiative for Responsible Manufacturing, for which he serves as chairman.

"We have remained in close communication with our customers on the complex issue of human rights where we manufacture our products," Menghini explained. "Over time, it has become increasingly clear to us that there is no possible way to truly improve working conditions around the world unless the collegiate community knows who and where the factories are, and precisely what working conditions they are providing."

LOGICAL DECISION BASED ON TRUST

GEAR’s move represents the first such action by a company focused on collegiate licensed apparel. "Manufacturers have a legitimate concern about factory disclosure because they fear a loss of competitive advantage when the whole industry knows who makes what and where," Menghini said. Menghini went on to say that GEAR For Sports® takes this action reluctantly, but felt that no progress could be made without addressing the disclosure problem.

Accordingly to Menghini, the most important factor driving the company’s decision was that of trust. "With disclosure, we are reinforcing to our customers and schools the one thing that matters most to both of us: trust. We are giving them peace of mind that the way we do business with them is completely out in the open, with no remote appearance of impropriety. We believe that this is fundamental to continue building the bonds of trust on which we founded our company."

GEAR TAKES LEADERSHIP POSITION

Menghini noted that he is confident in the integrity of GEAR’s competitors and believes that many will join them in disclosure soon. "Many of us share the same commitment to human rights, the highest ethical standards and best practices," he said. "This is a multi- faceted and complex issue that demands collaboration between the university, manufacturers and factory owners to develop reasonable and workable solutions." Menghini went on to say that "disclosure is a significant step in the process of improving working conditions around the world."

Menghini also said that "he was encouraged by GEAR’s participation in the industry partnership known as CIIRM. "The organization is designed to serve as a forum where all industry participants can meet to develop solutions to the sweatshop problem in an environment of thoughtful and constructive dialogue," he said. "We at CIIRM hope to continue to be the clearinghouse for these issues – many of which extend far beyond disclosure – and to facilitate solutions on an ongoing basis. I look forward to joining our competitors, many of whom are world-class manufacturers, in the total elimination of sweatshops and in the ongoing improvement of factory working conditions."

At its inaugural meeting, CIIRM adopted a mission to "address human rights issues by promoting responsible manufacturing of emblematic collegiate products, while facilitating education and cooperation among stakeholders." Menghini said that the list of strategic goals set forth by the group included the investigation and evaluation of existing human rights initiatives and the exploration of partnerships with existing organizations.

Menghini said that plans are currently underway for CIIRM’s next meeting in Chicago, to be held in November. He said that the forum would include a vastly expanded list of universities and colleges who are being invited to participate in CIIRM’s continuing dialogue.

ABOUT GEAR FOR SPORTS

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.

Copyright © 2001 GEAR For Sports®