One of the oldest committees of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Enterprise Competitiveness Council (ECC), has been redefined and renamed the Product Innovation Council.

The mission of the council is to identify and disseminate information on  innovation in consumer insight, design and merchandising, product development, pre-production and demand management, and the alignment of these activities with sourcing and production. With its roots in manufacturing research and technology, the 50-plus member council will focus on providing learning opportunities relative to designing and developing products in a market environment.

Commenting on the new council, AAFA president and CEO Kevin Burke said, “Just as our industry is evolving and changing to stay strategically connected to its customers, so too is the AAFA in bringing impact and value to our members.”

The council will examine innovative best practices both inside and outside the apparel and footwear industry.