Design IMPORTance & VF Imagewear (VFI) Strategic Alliance in Australia

Something very exciting is happening in the Australian apparel industry, and the opportunity now present for organisations is exceptional.

The world’s largest uniforms and workplace apparel manufacturer has targeted this region as an untapped opportunity and are actively pursuing relationships with Australian businesses and Government bodies. Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp), the worlds largest apparel manufacturer, has targetted the corporate apparel and workwear market of Australia utilising their international market leading division, VF Imagewear (VFI). VF Imagewear (VFI), already with significant representation throughout North America has formed a strategic alliance with Design IMPORTance to service the Australian marketplace. VF Imagewear (VFI) are providing all of their significant resources to Design IMPORTance to enable us to offer product ranges, quality, pricing and delivery options and timings that competitors simply can’t match.

Such is the advantage of what VF Imagewear (VFI) brings to this country over what is currently available cannot be ignored. Below are just some of the key points of this strategic alliance and the opportunities to the Australian marketplace:

• Working with VF Imagewear (VFI), the world’s largest apparel company and the leading provider of uniforms and workplace apparel to organisations all over the world. Many of their brands are household names.

• Access to all of the resources of the VF Imagewear (VFI) infrastructure.

• No minimum orders so ‘just-in-time’ ordering can be utilized if large stock holdings are not desired.

• Stock-service, drop-shipped branded orders to individual client locations in quantities as required by client, delivered within a 7 to 10 day turnaround time. (Larger bulk orders can vary from time to time). 

• VF Imagewear (VFI) has GUARANTEED Design IMPORTance that no competitor will be able to offer better pricing and delivery timeframes to clients across any uniform program or apparel requirement. They will do whatever is required to secure the business in this marketplace.

• Royalty programs are mandatory for tracking all International/Global logo’s usage on all garments. National/Local logo’s can also possibly utilise this. This means rebates back to our clients on all orders carrying their logo/s.

• Sampling of all items will be supplied to ensure complete peace of mind.

• Expertise available from the International manufacturing representative of VF Imagewear (VFI) based in Australia.

• Full range of hard and soft copy collateral to assist in ordering processes.

• Free trade agreement with US and Australia is being ratified at the moment which will further add to this opportunity

• Potential access to other products under the Vanity Fair Coalition of brands

The opportunity is here and now, we would welcome the opportunity to review any organisations existing or future requirements and provide a Managed Program Solution that will impress even the most discerning clients.

VF Imagewear (VFI) Brands Overview

VF Imagewear (VFI) which services the Corporate and Industrial Sector of Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp), has recently opened trading to the South Pacific/Asia region. The goal is to become the premier supplier to the Corporate & Government sectors throughout this region utilising the stable of strong brands and efficiencies of both Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp) and VF Imagewear (VFI).

The VF Imagewear (VFI) brands and their category serviced, along with website addresses and a listing of some of the clients utilising these brands are as follows:

Red Kap- Workwear

www.redkap.com
FedEx, American Airlines & UPS, along with the Official Licensed Apparel for Acura, Audi, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Goodyear Gemini, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, John Deere, Lexus, Lincoln Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.

Bulwark- #1 Fire Resistant Protective and High Vis Garments

www.bulwark.com
BP, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Exxon Mobile, Halliburton.

Chef Designs- Culinary Apparel

www.chefdesigns.com 
Hilton Hotels, Marriott Hotels.

The Force- Police, Security & Law Enforcement Uniforms

www.theforceonline.com
Nework & Eastern States Police & Fire Departments, TSA, Homeland Security, Department of Defence.

JH Design Group (affiliate)- Jackets & Licensed Apparel

www.jhdesigngroup.com
Top US manufacturer of Sports licensed product including Chase Authentics, Harley Davidson, MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, Nascar.

Joseph Abboud- Suiting & Lifestyle Range

www.josephabboud.com
Mens & Children Suiting and Casual Wear that is normally only available in superior retail outlets internationally.

In addition to the above, all of the Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp) “Coalition Of Brands” are also available, including:

Sportswear- Nautica, John Varvatos

Outdoor- Jansport, Eastpak, The North Face, Vans, Kipling, Napapijri, Reef

Jeanswear- Wrangler, Lee, Timber Creek, Hero, Riders, Riggs Workwear, Rustler

Contemporary Brands- For All Mankind, Lucy

Benefits Of The Partnering Opportunity

World-Class Supply Chain
• Dynamic Global Manufacturing and Sourcing Network
• Strategic Global and National Distribution
• Founding Member of WRAP, and C-TPAT Certified

Apparel Industry Expertise from Design through Fulfilment
• Proven Leadership in Traditional Markets
• Close Relationships with the Fabric Mills and Specialty Products Partners
• Fabric Innovations (Horizon, Nano Tech, Work in Motion) 
• In-House Merchandising, Designers, and Procurement
• Logility™ Forecasting Software
• Inventory Management and Control Experience
 
Custom Managed Program Solutions
• Extensive Stock Product Offering - Multiple Customization Options
• Custom Confined Apparel - Unique to Client 
• Flexible Employee Allowance /Allotment Tracking
• Fully-integrated websites and E-Commerce Solutions
• Order Submission and Tracking by Phone, Fax or Web
• Flexible Packing and Shipping Alternatives
• Customized Reporting and Invoicing Capabilities 

Proven Client Service Department
• First Call Resolution
• Industry Specific Expertise
• Client Dedicated Representatives
• Multi-lingual Representatives
• On-Going Cross Training Program
• Flexible Call Centre Hours  
• Client Feedback via Service Reports and Comment Cards

Vast Resources and Financial Strength
• Experienced Planning Staff
• Multiple Sources to Satisfy Variety of Product Needs with On-Going Fulfilment
• Ready Access to Quality Program Accessories
• Responsible Corporate Partner
• Program Service Longevity 
 
Safe, Secure Brand Extension for Clients

Core Business is the Managed Program Solutions

VF Imagewear (VFI) Capabilities Summary

 
VF Imagewear (VFI) is the world’s leading provider of uniforms and workplace apparel. With over 1400 owned or sourced facilities globally and more than 70 years of experience, VF Imagewear (VFI) are prominent in over 150 countries, supplying over 600 million items annually. VF Imagewear (VFI) is unique in that it provides sophisticated distribution services to its clients in addition to being an apparel manufacturer.  VF Imagewear (VFI) operates a number of company-owned manufacturing facilities and distribution centre’s located throughout the United States and other neighbouring countries, along with a customer service call centre to assist clients with their varying requirements. VF Imagewear (VFI) strives to be a complete one-stop shop for managing client’s uniform programs from concept generation through to order fulfillment.  In the US alone, VF Imagewear (VFI) is responsible for over 60 national uniform programs, putting over 750,000 employees into their work uniforms daily.

VF Imagewear (VFI) is a division of Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp) which is the largest apparel company in the world.  Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp) is better known by its brands, a few of which include Wrangler, Lee, The Northface, Nautica, Jansport, Red Kap, and Horace Small. The resources of VF Imagewear's (VFI) parent company provide clients with efficient distribution, world class customer service, excellent quality control processes and item warranties, and above all, financial stability. This instils complete confidence with clients that their needs are always met. 

The 2004 audited annual report shows the following financial data:

Annual Sales                                    $6.0 billion
Income from Operations                   $777 million
Positive Cash Flow from Operations   $730 million
Capital Investments in Business        $732 million
Net Worth                                       $2.5 billion
Current Ratio                                  1.7 to 1
Debt to Capital Ratio                       28.5%

VF Imagewear (VFI) has a long history of working with large customers to meet all of their uniform needs.  VF Imagewear (VFI) currently has long term contracts with the following clients to manage their entire uniform programs.  This includes procuring / manufacturing all products, distributing to the individual employees (drop shipping), providing complete customer service, providing information systems, developing new products, and overall account management.

Client                               Years of Service              # of Uniformed Employees
National Park Service             23 years                                    25,000
U.S. Customs                        19 years                                    30,000
TSA                                      3 years                                      50,000
FedEx                                   15 years                                    100,000
American Airlines                   8 years                                      55,000
BellSouth                              8 years                                      32,000
New York Transit                   3 years                                      23,000
Fire Dept of New York            7 years                                      15,000

Additional information is available on request.

Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp)
Company Overview

Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp) headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina in the US and has more than 100 years experience producing and managing popular household clothing brands including Wrangler, Lee, Jansport, The North Face, Nautica and many more. (see www.vfc.com)

VF Imagewear (VFI), a division of Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp) is based in Nashville, Tennessee, US, and is the leading manufacturer/supplier of industrial workwear, flame resistant protective clothing, and food service, security, public safety & image uniforms throughout North America. The stable of apparel brands include RedKap, Bulwark, Wrangler, Lee, Chef Designs, Horace Small and The Force. These brands are distributed globally through a variety of distributors located in the various regions, providing clients with a local presence for this international apparel icon.  (see www.vfsolutions.com)

Vanity Fair Corporation (VF Corp) is a founding member of WRAP - Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production and is committed to fair and ethical labour practices throughout the global manufacturing network (see www.wrapapparel.org). VF Imagewear (VFI), VFI is also certified under C-TPAT- Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security.

VF Imagewear's (VFI) National Accounts Division specialises in Managed Program Solutions for large companies and government agencies. These programs vary from direct bulk sell of stock-service VF Imagewear (VFI) product through to tailored service programs utilising stock and/or custom-designed garments ordered, tracked and delivered at the individual employee level. An interactive web-based system can also track and report employee allowances and allotments in various formats. VF Imagewear (VFI) work closely with each organisation to understand their unique business scope and needs to develop products, services and reporting to meet each client’s specific requirements. The ability to also source and manage inventory of footwear, headwear, belts and other integral accessories ensures the ability to deliver one-stop shopping for all clients.

VF Imagewear (VFI) understands the importance of brand extension and protection for clients.  A short list of current US direct programs includes FedEx, Southern Company, Alliant, Duke Power, Ameren, Qwest, American Airlines, US Customs & Border Protection, ConocoPhillips, Bell South, Marathon Ashland, and National Park Service.  Clients rely on VF Imagewear (VFI) because they cannot afford risks with the uniforms and apparel that serve to promote their image, and in some cases protect the lives of their employees.  VF Imagewear (VFI) has served some of their most high-profile clients for more than 20 years.

The Managed Program Solutions deliver economies of scale and lowest total cost of ownership for uniform and apparel procurement.  Managing the uniform program for clients ensures that all VF Imagewear (VFI) clients can focus on their core business initiatives.