#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2021-05-06

VF Corporation advances global partnership with Better Work

VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and accessories, today announced that it is advancing its engagement with Better Work by strengthening its partnership status to Global Partner. This action is part of VF’s ongoing commitment to human rights and improving worker well-being throughout its global supply chain.

On International Workers’ Day, VF is progressing its goal to improve the lives of one million people by 2025 through enhanced worker well-being programs

As a Global Partner, VF will increase collaboration with Better Work through enhanced training and assessments on critical supply chain issues such as child labor, discrimination, forced labor, freedom of association, and occupational health and safety.

Better Work is a collaboration between the UN’s International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, that brings together all levels of the garment industry to improve working conditions, respect labor rights for workers, and improve the competitiveness of the industry. VF is one of 40 Global Partners of the Better Work program.

"Our partnership with Better Work is another demonstration of our deep commitment to managing an ethical, responsible, and sustainable supply chain that puts people at the center," said Peter Higgins, VF’s Vice President Global Responsible Sourcing. "I'm confident this strengthened partnership will do even more to support the advancement of key human rights priorities, including those focused on freedom of association, gender-based violence and workplace harassment."

As a Better Work Global Partner, VF-authorized contract facilities will go through in-depth training and assessments on material issues that can impact apparel supply chains. The program will run in supplier factories located in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, Haiti, Indonesia, Jordan, Nicaragua, and Vietnam, where working conditions and improvements will be assessed at each location. If issues arise, VF, Better Work and the factory, including workers, will collaborate on effective remediation solutions that directly impact and improve factory workers' lives. The program will also implement Better Work’s two-fold strategy to promote compliance with national law and international core labor standards.

VF's strengthened partnership with Better Work builds on the prior success of VF's 2018 Industrial Relations Leadership pilot program with Better Factories Cambodia. This pilot successfully enhanced collaboration and communication at VF's strategic factories while building capacity for worker representatives and management, as well as delivering a positive impact on workplace issues, especially industrial relations. The pilot was expanded to include two more factories in Cambodia and Vietnam.

“Better Work looks forward to its deeper engagement with VF as a global partner,” said Tara Rangarajan, Head of Better Work’s Brand Engagement Team. “This is a significant milestone in our ability to work together to continue improving working conditions in the apparel industry.”

To learn more about Better Work, please visit: https://betterwork.org/

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

Intertextile Apparel opens next week with strengthened focus on performance, sustainability, and innovation

Opening 25 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2026 prepares to welcome thousands of global industry players for three days of sourcing, networking, and trend forecasting. Spanning 240,000 sqm, this edition will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, providing a comprehensive platform for fairgoers to explore new products, market directions, and business opportunities across the entire apparel textile value chain – with high-potential segments noticeably magnified.

Asia's fashion extravaganza CENTRESTAGE returns in September

Asia’s premier annual fashion event CENTRESTAGE--organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 2 to 5 September. One of the flagship programmes of the third "Hong Kong Fashion Fest", CENTRESTAGE will bring together some 270 brands from 24 countries and regions and will feature more than 40 spectacular events, including over 30 fashion shows.

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).

ICAC International Seminar in Taipei to explore strategic synergies across the textile supply chain

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) — together with the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan — will bring international cotton and textile leaders together in Taipei on September 10 for the ICAC International Seminar 2026.