Partnership ITC and IAF: Full Supply Chain Profitability

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) announce a
partnership to stimulate innovation towards “full supply chain profitability” for apparel
manufacturers and brands.

The first phase of collaboration is research to be previewed at the 38th
IAF World Fashion Convention, Philadelphia, October 23-24. Applying learning in autos and
electronics, a joint study articulates how material suppliers and garment manufacturers create ‘smart
flexibility’ by postponing production commitments closer to actual demand, unlocking capital from
unneeded inventory and excess production. Smart Flexibility is a new approach that uses a mix of
process and data tools enabling suppliers to create additional value for brands and manufacturers
alike that supersedes the benefits of lowest cost global sourcing.

Full supply chain profitability

The Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI), published and co-initiated by the IAF, placed ‘full
supply chain profitability’ as a research priority in 2021. The STTI, addressing improvement of
purchasing practices, sees smart flexibility, or shared risk, as a highly productive alternative to the
predominant imbalance of sourcing relationships. Smart flexibility elevates purchasing practices
beyond seasonal, transactional contracts to deliver mutual goals for sustainability. Conventional,
often adversarial bargaining need not define industry culture as new technology with AI injects fresh
insight across one of the world’s oldest, most globalized supply chains.

Convention as preview to study insights

The 38th IAF World Fashion Convention, organised with US partner SPESA (Sewn Products Equipment
Suppliers Association of the America’s) in Philadelphia, is a preview to study insights. IAF Secretary
General Matthijs Crietee will moderate a panel session including the main contributor to the study,
John Thorbeck; Brad Ballentine, CEO of MAS ACME, the US subsidiary of giant manufacturing group
MAS Holdings; and Scott Walton, of Kornit Digital, a major supplier of digital printing equipment.
Official publication, titled, “Under the Banyan Tree: Buyers and Suppliers in Fashion,” will be
announced in joint timetable and events by the ITC and IAF.