VF Corp still deems BD a competitive destination

VF Corporation, the American clothing giant, still considers Bangladesh apparel industry a competitive destination and wants to continue its outsourcing in future.
They have also expressed their satisfaction over the progress made by the local apparel industry in the field of workplace safety.
"Bangladesh is a very competitive market and wonderful place to do business," VF Corporation's vice president Scott Deitz told the FE.
VF Corporation, which sells products under the brand names of Wrangler, Timberland, Riders, Rustler, Red Cap, Splendid, is a key importer of Bangladesh-made apparel products.
The company, also the founder member of the Alliance, currently sources 12 per cent of its total global sourcing from Bangladesh.
"Our sourcing from Bangladesh is very strong and we are delighted to be here," Mr Scott said adding: "VF is committed to Bangladesh and going to stay here."
VF has been sourcing goods from Bangladesh since early 90s and the amount of products that it has sourced from the country has only grown, he added.
Recently, the top executives of the company visited Bangladesh to oversee the ongoing safety programme and hold meetings with the government high officials, Accord and other brands.
In reply to a question over the improvements of the garment factories, vice president and managing director of VF Corporation Thomas Nelson said, "We don't need to wait two to three years to say factories are safe. The factories are safe today."
"Inspection had been done and we have identified lots of things. We started to remediate those," he said adding that workers did not go to the unsafe factories as they are not in production.
The first step - inspection of about 600 factories that produce products for the Alliance's signatories brands, retailers and companies -- had been done while the corrective action plan is being created, Mr Nelson said adding that the third part - remediation - will require many months probably two to three years.
"And we still have lots of work to do for remediation," he added.
Much progress has been made while many factories need to do more including installation of sprinkler system and other electrical ones, he said adding remediation is a deliberate process.
Responding to another query, Mr Scott said they would make the American consumers understand about the improvement programmes taken by the Accord and the Alliance as a group to ensure workplace and other safety issues.  
The Alliance and the Accord are working hard to do the right thing at the right time in right way, he said adding "It's not a race, it's a process and they need to be done very deliberately."
He suggested that the factories should continue the process to remain safe in future.
Recently, the company teamed up with IFC to provide US$ 10 million out of its $ 17 million fund for its member factories in Bangladesh for the remediation purpose.
M Rabin, managing director of the Alliance, said the fund is expected to be released within a couple of weeks following clearance from the government agencies concerned.  

munni_fe@yahoo.com