Conference to address array of sourcing issues - Partners in Sourcing

Premiere 'Partners in Sourcing' Event Features Speakers from Major Multinationals

Responding to the growth in apparel sourcing in Mexico and Central America, the Bobbin Group of Miller Freeman Inc. has introduced "Partners in Sourcing," a high-level conference dedicated to fostering relationships between U.S. sourcing executives and contractors and manufacturers in Mexico and Central America.

The conference, to be held May 13-14 in conjunction with Bobbin Expo - Mexico and Central America, will feature two separate program tracks: one for Mexican and Central American contractors and manufacturers and the other for U.S. sourcing executives.

While each track will be focused to the needs of its target audience, conference organizers have scheduled several networking events designed to attract both groups of attendees. For instance, Tom Bennett, JCPenney Co., joined by Simon Cohen of Grupo Industrial Cyresi, will lead a session entitled, "Merging Mexican Business Culture with American Product Quality Requirements," and Robert Zane, Liz Claiborne Inc., will address both groups of attendees in the conference's opening keynote presentation. In addition, a closing networking luncheon will feature Elliott Lightman of Tropical Sportswear Int'l. Corp. (TSI), who will discuss "Sourcing for the New Millennium."

Bennett says one of the issues he plans to focus on in his presentation is communication of expectations. "Even when we are speaking the same language, we may not be communicating, and there can be lack of understanding of the other parties' needs and expectations," he emphasizes.

Bennett observes that Far Eastern apparel manufacturers and U.S. importers have learned how to merge their cultures in order to successfully conduct business, while this level of understanding still is lacking in Mexican/American business dealings.

In sessions geared to the stateside sourcing audience, Gerardo Lastiri, Cotton Incorporated Mexico, will present "Production and Consumer Trends for the Mexican Market," which will focus on the current market conditions for sourcing in Mexico and Central America. "The Business Realities of Sourcing Product into Mexico," led by Graham Anderton, Aztex Trading Co., also will provide insight into working with the Mexican apparel industry.

Other presentations will include "Specific Product Sourcing Opportunities in Mexico," offered by Alejandro Faes, Corporacion Asturiana de Camisas S.A. de C.V., and "Tax & Tariff Regulations in Mexico and How They Operate," by Tom Travis, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg P.A. The latter will offer detailed information about NAFTA's impact on production rules in Mexico, including rules of origin, procedures, documentation, quotas and preferential trade levels, Travis says.

Seminars designed for Mexican and Central American manufacturers and contractors will include: "How to Present Your Contract Operations to American Sourcing Executives," presented by Charles Gilbert, Charles Gilbert Associates Inc., and "Ensuring Quality Control in Meeting U.S. Standards," presented by Kurt Salmon Associates' Lisandro Sagastume, who will focus on basic controls and technology necessary for factories to meet U.S. standards.

David Greene, S.T.S. (Sourcing to Satisfy), also will address quality issues in "How to Keep Your American Buyers Coming Back," while Patricia Medina, Aztex Trading, will discuss "Steps to Take in Becoming a Full Package Provider."

Olga G. West is staff writer for La Bobina, the leading Spanish-language publication of the sewn products industry and a Bobbin Group publication.

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