Workshops | Forum Day 1 | Forum Day 2 | Sponsors & Networking

Welcome Address by: Mrs. Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, the Hong Kong SAR Government

 

Rita Lau from the HKSAR Government says that Hong Kong has developed a global supply chain that responds promptly to fashion trends and seasonal demands, as well as the ability to deliver quality products with a very short lead time.

Introductory Addrsess: by Markus Lampe, SVP. Marketing CRYSTALLIZED (TM) - Swarovski Elements, D. Swarovski & Co., APLF Sponsor

Markus Lampe considers CRYSTALLIZED™ -Swarovski Elements as a partner in the value chain, from design to manufacture, quality control through sourcing, retail and branding, and advertising and PR.

 Keynote Speech: by Mr. Nicholas Kwan, Regional Head of Research, Asia, Standard Chartered Bank

Nicholas Kwan of Standard Chartered kicks off his keynote speech, “Surviving the Perfect Storm”.

Session 1: Sourcing:  Political & financial aspects (focus on the US)

Mary Kissel from WSJA starts off discussing the political and financial aspects in the US and how they affect apparel sourcing.		Frank Sauceda from Luen Thai talks about the different times that retailers/brands and apparel manufacturers face in the world today.		David Spooner sets the stage for his discussion of the new US President’s trade team and the issues on the horizon.		Julia Hughes from USA-ITA states that there is a real opportunity now to respond directly to economic and trade challenges .
Janet Fox from JCPenney is hopeful that the first quarter of 2010 may see changes in the US apparel industry.

Lunch sponsored by Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison sponsored lunch at the Prime Source Forum for the third year.		Michael Johansen, Vice President & General Manager, RIS Asia of Avery Dennison, was the lunch speaker this year.		Delegates are eager to share their views at Prime Source Forum 2009.		Getting to know each other over drinks … what a wonderful experience!

Session 2: Sourcing: Political & financial aspects (focus on Eastern Europe)

Robert Hanlon from CityU explores the impact political changes and the financial turmoil has had on Europe’s apparel industry with his fellow speakers.		Rakesh Vaid from AEPC notes that Europe is India’s largest market, being the third-largest supplier to the EU and exporting US$4 billion worth of garments.		Josef-Albert Beckmann kicks off his discussion by asking what impact the current crisis will have on the apparel market.		Igor Salomakhin from RETA points out that the Russian textile/clothing industry has a long tradition and history, today employing 49,000 people.
Sophie Leung points out that China has become much more transparent since its accession to the WTO.		Felipe Palacios-Sureda  from the EU points out that the industry is now in a genuine financial crisis, with trade financing a major stumbling block to trade.

 Session 3: Sourcing

Thomas Nelson from VF Asia poses the question of how to develop sourcing strategies and pick a good partner when factories and brands are going bankrupt.		Jeff Streader from Guess? cites three business principles: partnership, joint product development and transparency.		Walter Archie from Dick’s Sporting Goods International Ltd states that the industry is facing not a surge, but a shift and needs a new business model.		Thomas Ruthekolk from Corporate Service Group GmbH claims that this is the time to change the rules of the game, noting that the status quo is no longer good enough as the market freefalls.
Ken Watson notes that the industry is moving, not from a shift or a surge, but to a stampede, adding that, if one is not fast enough, one will be trampled.		Willy Lin from Milo Knitwear points out that, today, samples are no longer free and, along the entire supply chain, no cash means no delivery and certainly no R&D.

Session 4: The ever changing retailing scene

Devangshu Dutta from Third Eyesight introduces the session by noting that textile/apparel is possibly the most globalised industry, having even caused new countries to be created!		Dr. Thomas Chan from PolyU notes that China has become a world market in many areas, including garments.		Michael Tien from G2000 shares with the audiences some of the lessons he has learned over the years of doing business in China, citing six major challenges.		Anthony Keung from Fenix Group points out that even if companies enjoyed good business, the rental rates were pushing profits down, while, now, with space available at low prices that continue to fall, a profitable company can see even better returns.
Premal Udani from Kaytee notes that the mindset has changed, with younger people moving away from the older generation’s “save, save, save” mindset towards a “buy today, throw away tomorrow” attitude.		Thorsten Allenstein from Triumph points out that the majority of retail business is done through “mom and pop” stores, which makes it a challenge to break into the Indian market, requiring deep pockets.

Dinner sponsored by Nature Group

Mr. Zhu, the president of Wuxi Nature Group, gives his speech during the dinner.		Wuxi Nature Group, which produces mercerised cotton in China, sponsored the dinner at the Prime Source Forum for the first year.		Delegates enjoy their cocktail party before the dinner.		Gail Taylor and Han Bekke of IAF get to know each other.