The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) recently recognized eight footwear factories with the special distinction as a “Recognized Responsible Footwear Manufacturer.” A committee of top footwear sourcing executives across the industry determined the recipients of this designation based on those factories found to be the most compliant with FDRA’s new Code of Conduct.
(Learn more about FDRA’s Responsible Factory Program here).
The designations were given to factory owners and managers at a special reception for footwear factory executives across Asia on November 4, 2014 in Dongguan, China. More than 100 factory owners and managers attended the event where they heard from several top U.S. footwear executives on the importance of social compliance and FDRA’s new Code of Conduct. The next day, FDRA hosted more than 125 factory managers at the 15th Annual Responsible Footwear Forum (RFF) in Dongguan to discuss the importance of the factory recognition program and hear from global brand executives and key Chinese Government officials.
According to R.G. Barry Brands President and CEO and FDRA Chairman Greg Tunney, “this was the first time anyone has pulled over 100 factory owners together in one place to recognize the top footwear factory performers in the area of social compliance”
“The selection of these factories as our first recipients of the Recognized Responsible Footwear Manufacturer Program 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 who developed the Code and selected the recognition recipients. “FDRA is leading the industry in a pragmatic way to ensure that factory compliance remains a top priority for U.S. brands and their suppliers worldwide.”
“Congratulations to the factories who received this recognition for their commitment to continuously improve factory conditions and standards,”
“The Code of Conduct is fast becoming the guidebook for factory compliance across Asia,” said FDRA President Matt Priest. “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 incentivizing factories to more effective manage working hours, wages, and other important issues.”
2014 FDRA Recognized Responsible Footwear Manufacturers:
Dongguan Mayflower Footwear Corp (China)
Guangzhou Zhujiang Properwell Shoes Mfg. Ltd (China)
Hue Phong Footwear Co. Ltd (Vietnam)
Panyu Leader Footwear Corp (China)
Putian Chengyi Footwear Co. Ltd (China)
Right Rich VN Co. Ltd (Vietnam)
Serena Shoe Co. Ltd (China)
Yangzhou FuHeng Shoes Co. Ltd (China)
