First footwear factories awarded as part of FDRA’s new code of conduct
To complement the recently launched Responsible Factory Programme, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) has recognised eight Asian footwear factories as Responsible Footwear Manufacturers, part of a drive to improve working conditions and compliance.
A committee of sourcing executives chose the recipients based on those found to be the most compliant with the new Code of Conduct, which FDRA president Matt Priest discusses with us in the next issue of WSA magazine.
The designations were given at a reception in Dongguan, China, attended by more than 100 factory owners and managers, and which was followed the next day by the 15th Annual Responsible Footwear Forum in the city, where the code was outlined.
“The selection of these factories as our first recipients of the Recognized Responsible Footwear Manufacturer Programme is extremely important for our industry,” said Mike Jeppesen, president of global operations at Wolverine Worldwide and chairman of FDRA’s Factory Enhancement and Sourcing Committee, which developed the code.
Mr Priest added: “We have translated it into multiple languages and are making great progress as each month new major footwear companies are asking their factories to adopt and implement this industry common standard. FDRA is driving real change throughout the footwear supply chain by incentivising factories to more effectively manage working hours, wages and other important issues.”
The recipients are, from China: Dongguan Mayflower Footwear, Guangzhou Zhujiang Properwell Shoes, Panyu Leader Footwear, Putian Chengyi Footwear, Serena Shoe and Serena Shoe; and, from Vietnam: Hue Phong Footwear and Yangzhou FuHeng Shoes.
In addition to its events in China, FDRA also held its first summit in Vietnam, where over 10% of US footwear imports are being produced. Speakers discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), ways to cut costs by improving supply chain efficiencies, US product safety regulations and how factories can improve quality and productivity while becoming better at compliance issues. More than 150 factories attended this event.
Footwear companies who sponsored or spoke at the workshops included Wolverine Worldwide, Steve Madden, Nike, R.G. Barry Brands and Brown Shoe Company. Service providers included Toll Global Forwarding, TUV SUD, SGS and UL.
