WRAP Blog

By Steve Jesseph

Progress on labor and environmental issues over the past 15 years in facilities producing consumer goods for export has, by most accounts, been nothing short of impressive. More progress needs to be made, but as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of WRAP, we wanted to facilitate a meeting of the best minds and leaders from around the world who have graciously offered to share their progress for the benefit of all.

Please join us in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on November 18-19 for the most important information sharing event of 2010. You are invited to listen to and talk with senior executives who are running businesses – executives who have invested in leading-edge programs and technologies that have directly improved their business processes and profitability – and demonstrated their commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. You will hear how investing in programs ranging from waste treatment to day care centers, chemical management programs, alternative energy, health care, education and training and even local sports have improved their operations and contributed to the improved well-being of the community.

We are pleased to confirm the following list of speakers with more pending:

• Mr. Reg Hankey, Chief Executive,  Pittards (UK)
• Mr. Kevin Burke, President of the American Apparel & Footwear Association
• Mr. Chris Fox, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, HanesBrands, Inc.
• Dr. Mike Fralix, President, TC2
• Mrs. Claudia Uribe, C.I. el Globo (Colombia)
• Mr. Steve Miller, President, HELPS International (Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico)
• Mr. Chris Binnicker, VP, Textiles, Anvil Knitwear (US and Honduras)
• Mr. Steve Lamar, SVP, American Apparel & Footwear Association
• Mr. Martin Sun, VP, China Knitting Industry Association and Managing Director, Eiko (Shanghai)

Who should attend this global event?  Heads of operations, CSR, human resources, sourcing, purchasing,  environmental management, investor relations and public affairs just to name a few.

Registration:  General admission is US$495 with a special rate of US$295 for educators, students and nonprofits.  To register, please click here (PDF).

The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. A special rate of $159.00 has been obtained which includes a full breakfast and evening reception, and is good for three days prior to the conference and three days afterward. Space is limited. Click here to make your reservation today. 

We look forward to your participation in this unique and global event.

Best regards,

Steve Jesseph, Chief Executive Officer, WRAP

Posted on June 25th, 2010 by admin
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The African Cotton and Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) was officially launched on April 27-28 in Nairobi, Kenya. Stuart Webster, WRAP’s Director of Training, was invited as a speaker by the Federation’s Chairman Mr. Jaswinder Bedi to attend the launch event.

Founded in 2005, the Federation is the first pan-African cotton organization which aims at transforming the cotton, textile and apparel sector’s unequal policies into consistent ones, both at domestic as well as international trade development levels. The Federation currently has 23 national cotton and textile trade associations from 18 African countries.

This event included the re-launch of its website and a fashion showcase featuring African designers. The Prime Minister of Kenya, Mr. Raila Odinga, the Vice Chairman of African Union, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, and COP of USAID and USAID-COMPETE attended the event as guest speakers.

“It was a privilege to attend the meeting sessions where I heard industry reports from the Federation and its member organizations.” Webster said, “Many speakers were truly inspirational. The hard work that the Federation has put into its textile industry is phenomenal.  The presence of Prime Ministers Odinga and Mosisili, and representatives from USAID, were clear indications of the importance of this event.” 

In his 2.5-hour-presentation on April 28, Webster explained the importance of social and environmental compliance in today’s global trade environment, the requirements from the perspective of European, US and Australian buyers on CSR issues, an overview of the WRAP 12 principles, and requirements of WRAP certification. The presentation was well received with many positive comments. During the presentation, members of the Federation and participating facilities raised questions concerning the WRAP certification, including how to get WRAP certified and the benefits for a facility.

Over the past three years, WRAP has been working closely with International Labor Organization (ILO) in Africa to support social and environmental compliance in the local textile industry and promote Africa as a sourcing destination. WRAP has also been working with Cool Ideas, a WRAP accredited consultant in South Africa, to raise awareness of social and environmental compliance among local facilities.

Today, WRAP has 4 certified facilities in Ethiopia – Almeda Textile Private Limited Company, MAA Garment Factory, Addis Garment Sh. Co., and Novastar Garment Factory Incorporation N&N Garment.

“The work we started in Africa some time ago is now continuing in Kenya.” Webster said, “Factories in Kenya have demonstrated their interest in becoming certified to the WRAP standard, and many have already registered with our program.  We welcome the participation from all apparel, textile, furniture and food processing facilities across all of the African continent.”

To learn more about WRAP certification and training programs, please visit www.wrapcompliance.org.

Posted on May 28th, 2010 by admin
Filed under: CSR Views, Shows and Events | No Comments »