Mr. Willie Beuth
Founder
3p Institute for Sustainable Management
The idea is to collect ideas, views and thoughts on the subject, and disseminate them worldwide. Why is there a need for this?
First of all, because everybody seems to have his/her own subjective view of what SUSTAINABILITY means, related mainly to their activities and talents. Most people consider their own area of activities as most important and, tragically, if these activities do not allow room for sustainability in either action or consideration, they have no recourse but to choose their own area of expertise or follow the mainstream.
The best example is the global discussion and actions on reducing our carbon footprint or climate change. Nearly everybody likes these topics; they sound prestigious in panels and discussions, and allow a lot of different views and considerations. The proposals and solutions offered are, however, rather poor and mainly promotional.
A similar issue is the global jumping on the bandwagon of bio and organic products, not least in textiles and apparel. But an organic product by itself not handled in a clean, eco-friendly manner throughout its production; rather, it is simply a product that gives the illusion of being sustainable, clean and environmentally acceptable. Again, the effect is mainly promotional!
Thus, the consumer gets the wrong message and really believes that some global brands are sustainable and eco-friendly, based only on these well-made promotional messages.
An exchange of views and ideas, an open discussion on the web concerning these views and ideas, plus an educational aspect might be considered the main reason behind the Prime Source Forum ThinkTank™. This will result in more information about the topic under discussion, a better understanding of it, and a holistic, not just personal and limited, view on a vital subject, such as SUSTAINABILITY.
Mr. Stuart Harbinson
Former Senior Adviser of the WTO
Chair of the Legal Affairs ThinkTank™ Group
“The textiles and clothing industry is at the cutting edge of modern business practices because it has to get the right product to the right market at the right time. The industry provides a product closely connected to people’s livelihoods and cultures, yet has been subject to significant government regulatory activity. Although progress has been made recently, barriers to international trade in the sector are still higher than in many other sectors, giving producers, importers, exporters and retailers worldwide a strong common interest in regularly sharing information and ideas, and discussing the latest developments. The Prime Source Forum provides an ideal, possibly unique, framework for doing that, and I look forward to participating in the new and exciting Prime Source ThinkTank™ initiative.”
Mr. Stephen Lamar
Executive Vice President
American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)
“The global economic recession has triggered new calls for, and new fears of, protectionism. While the G20 continually calls for restraint, the US is about to discuss reforming its trade preference programmes, possibly creating new opportunities to source duty free apparel. However, current beneficiaries are resisting and policy-makers are grappling with complicated questions of conditionality. The Prime Source ThinkTank™ will allow the industry to talk with people who are following and affecting the top issues of the day, helping to generate dialogues 365 days a year.”
Mr. Michael Lavergne
Director, Asian Operations
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
“The Prime Source Forum has already built a solid reputation for bringing together key decision-makers from our industry. With the Prime Source ThinkTank™, delegates have a real-time, social media tool to discuss many of the key issues facing them in a frank, confidential environment and this has tremendous value.”
Mr. Thomas Nelson
Managing Director
VF Asia Ltd.
“I support the Prime Source ThinkTank™ as I believe it will be a great way to share ideas and information about topics of concern in the sourcing field. It will also be a neat way to put out topics and get feedback from our peers, as well as build consensus on ways the apparel industry can move things forward.”
Mr. Roger Lee
Director
TAL Apparel Ltd.
"The Prime Source ThinkTank™ is a natural extension of the Prime Source Forum and will allow participants from all parts of the industry to continue to discuss issues, challenges and trends as they are happening. There is no need to wait for a year for panel discussions. The success of the ThinkTank™ relies on the participation of our peers.”
Mr. André Leroy
Marketing Director
Modern Testing Services
Chairman, Apparel & Footwear Committee
American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AMCHAM)
“I am very excited to join this new initiative. I have worked with major brands on the impact the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is having on our industry and how we can reduce safety risks while minimising unnecessary testing. I am looking forward to augmenting my efforts by addressing the increasingly complex challenges of product safety.”
Mr. Edgar Tung
CEO
Zymmetry Group
“I am honoured to co-chair the Technology Group with Roger. Technology has revolutionised many ways we do business today, not least with the popularity of social and professional online networks. Thanks to Prime Source Forum's organisers, we now have an online forum dedicated to the apparel industry in which to bounce ideas around, exchange intel and explore business opportunities with no geographic boundaries.”
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