9:30 - 10:00 AM
REGISTRATION
New Balance, 5 South Union Street, Lawrence, MA
10:00 - 10:05 AM
WELCOME
Greg Montello, Senior Manager, Product Chemistry, New Balance Athletics, Inc.
10:05 – 10:35 AM
KEYNOTE: WHAT WILL MANUFACTURING LOOK LIKE BY 2023
Manufacturing over the course of the next five years may be vastly different than manufacturing today. Regulations on plastics and synthetics could emerge as the next big thing to watch, and we may see more “made in the U.S.A.” in footwear. Of course, no one can forget customization, automation, and 3D.
Dave Wheeler, Executive Vice President of Value Chain, New Balance Athletics, Inc.
10:35– 11:05 AM
SOURCING TRENDS & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
This session will focus on how to take a pragmatic approach to sourcing trends and trade in emerging countries. Get ahead of the curve and hear about the trending hot markets and learn about international regulations so that your product can successfully be imported into the U.S.
Nate Herman, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
11:05 AM– 12:00 PM
TRACEABILITY OF MATERIALS
Thread and shoes, they go together. But do you know where your components are coming from? Join this interactive session where you will see samples of shoes with a blacklight to identify DNA implanted in the threads used to trace the materials. It may seem like science fiction, but it’s just science!
Wayne Buchen, Supply Chain Management Consultant, Applied DNA Sciences
12:45 – 1:20 PM
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT FOR THE SOLE
Compliance measures are important to keep consumers safe. Discover some best practices to comply with chemical regulations and ways to assess your chemical management protocol. A good program must balance risk, testing, and regulatory compliance.
Jennie McCarthy, Senior Director of Vendor Compliance, D K N Y
Nate Herman, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, AAFA
1:20 – 1:35 PM
CASE STUDY: IDENTIFYING THE UNKNOWN
On a cold winter day a shoe delivery was made. Much to the surprise of the receivers, there were ink marks on all of the white shoes. Horror story or real life? As scary at this scenario might be, it happened. This case study will dive into the situation and the road to resolution.
Chip Eckes, Quality Assurance Manager, Mason Companies
1:35 – 1:55 PM
NETWORKING BREAK
1:55 – 2:25 PM
FROM THE FOOT TO THE FLOOR
One of the unique challenges that the footwear industry experiences is related to product quality. Shoes must be durable and cannot fail during wear – aka “crumbling shoes.” When it comes to footwear, steel toes serve a purpose and slip-resistance must work - but not too well (where it causes sticking). Stride and the point of contact with the ground must also be accurate. All of these, and other quality issues, must be well-thought-out to keep the consumer safe and the product intact.
Chuck Rogers, Americas Director, Technical Consulting & Supply Chain Solutions, Inspections, Audits and Assessments, Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Services
2:25 – 2:55 PM
STATE REGULATIONS & PROP 65
Hear the latest updates on state and local regulations including the new updates to California Prop 65. Discussions will focus on what new legislation the states are directing efforts on, and what might be down the pike due to recent legislation.
Nate Herman, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, AAFA
2:55 – 3:00 PM
CLOSING
Nate Herman, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, AAFA