From here we will take the research to our JUST Approved committee in early October (watch out on social media for an an
From: Subject: Date: To: Cc:
RE: Timberland has been Shortlisted for JUST Approved 6 October 2016 at 8:39 AM Jacinta FitzGerald
[email protected] Megan
[email protected]
Hi Jacinta, Please see below from Timberland. Thank you! Timberland Questions Size / Business Model: · Are you able to tell us what the lead times are for your garments? Lead times vary by product classification; we measure and monitor them on every style and at country/class levels. Lead times can range from 3-6 months depending on product type, country of origin for materials, and complexity of product. Lead times for most of our products are planned on a 6 month production buy cycle, with specialty runs having a shorter timeline. We aim for not less than 3 months.
·
Can you tell us how many collections you release annually? We release two seasonal collections each year - Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. Are you able to tell us how long your products are designed to last? Timberland is committed to offering the finest products, using only the best materials and applying strict quality control standards. Timberland products are warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship for 12 months from date of purchase. Our warranty is an expression of our confidence in the material and workmanship of our company's products, and assures unsurpassed quality for rugged, dependable products. This, however, is not a guarantee against normal wear and tear. Nor does it apply to product that has been damaged by misuse, neglect, accident, modification or unauthorized repair. We also offer complementary cleaning and conditioning services in Timberland Specialty Retail stores globally.
Transparency: Can Timberland trace its entire supply chain, including subcontractors? All Tier 1 (finished goods manufacturers) and Tier 2 (textile mills, tanneries, and branded component) suppliers are known and audited at least annually by our Compliance Team. For materials requiring origin certification (organic cotton, RDS down, RWS wool, metals) we maintain full traceability. Subcontracting is not permitted without approval. Production orders are compared to production records to identify potential unauthorized subcontracting. Timberland has been publicly posting its factory list on a quarterly basis since 2008. Our parent company, VF Corporation, is also now publishing its full factory list. http://responsiblesourcing.vfc.com/factorieslist/ Social:
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Do you have any policies in place to ensure reasonable lead times and reasonable and sustainable order placement? Timberland is not a “fast fashion” brand, rather a brand that builds momentum innovating on the classics. As such, we are able to maintain longer-term relationships with our vendors and have a close relationship that works together to ensure reasonable lead times. Over the years, we’ve also been successful in building a product collection that offers products year-round, which helps with more consistent order placements full year v. seasonal spikes for vendors. VF’s Responsible Sourcing program provides the framework for how we manage our global supply chain and supplier relationships on an ongoing basis. The program builds on our legacy as a leader in manufacturing and guides VF and our suppliers toward a more sustainable future. VF is working to transform the buyer/supplier relationship to a true business partnership focused on collaboration and mutual success. If Timberland ends its relationship with a supplier, do you have a program in place to ensure workers are fully paid for any hours worked? When instances arise resulting in a relationship with a supplier ending, a phased exit strategy is deployed to minimize disruption on the financial viability of the vendor. A final compliance audit is often conducted to confirm, among other things, that worker wages earned through to the end of production have been paid. Does Timberland have local partnerships in place in high-risk areas to rehabilitate child or forced labourers if/when found? Forced labor and child labor are not permitted for VF vendors. We are committed to taking steps to end forced labor, whether in the form of human trafficking, indentured labor, prison labor or otherwise - our factory auditing process includes specific means of ascertaining any use of forced labor. Likewise, for ascertaining the use of child labor through on and off-site surveillance, unannounced audits, and triangulated substantiation. In the few instances where child labor has been discovered in our supply chain, we have partnered with local organizations to resolve systemically. Most recently in Haiti, If child labour is discovered, does the brand find a way to provide for the child’s education and replace lost income to the family? Yes. Does Timberland have any policies in place to protect migrant workers? The use of migrant workers is also a key area of focus in our factory auditing process to ensure equal rights, treatment and opportunities. Do you have any audit reports or corrective action plans you are prepared to share publicly with us? We are not able to share any specific audit reports or corrective action plans; however, we do report quarterly the results of the audits conducted each quarter, including the details of any issues discovered and provide follow up regarding resolution of said issues in future reporting. Is Timberland directly involved in any training initiatives within its supply chain, or do you plan to be in the future? Yes. Historically, Timberland has facilitated a variety of training programs for our suppliers with partners such as Social Accountability International, BSR, Verite, and Infact. This investment continues through the VF Responsible Sourcing program and Sustainable Operations Team. The standards and expectations set forth by Responsible Sourcing require VF’s supplier factories to go beyond industry norms. Because of this, VF recognizes that factories in certain global regions may face unique challenges in meeting these standards. In these cases, our Sustainable Operations Team assists these factories with advice, management system tools, and training to help them positively transform their operations.
Environment Have you measured or do you intend to measure your greenhouse gas emissions for your entire supply chain? Beginning in 2005, we began measuring the greenhouse gas emissions of our suppliers with the GSCP Environmental Tool. Today, we continue this practice of measuring and setting reduction goals with our suppliers by way of the HIGG Index Facility Environmental Module. Have you measured or do you intend to measure your water footprint? Same as above. Do you have any policies in place to reduce pollution and resources used for transport? Timberland was a founding member of the BSR Clean Cargo Group, which established a framework for measuring, vetting and approving cargo carriers based on environmental impacts. Carriers with demonstrated improvements to reduce pollution is one of the qualifications for being a VF preferred carrier. Do you have plans to introduce a product recycling program? Over the years, we have offered a variety of ways for consumers to return and recycle products. We are currently in process of piloting a new model in Germany with hopes to expand across all Europe. Likewise, we are currently considering appropriate partnerships in the U.S. What strategies do you have in place to manage waste in your supply chain? Same response as provide above for bullet 1 and 2.
What strategies do you have in place to manage waste in your supply chain? Same response as provide above for bullet 1 and 2.
From: Jacinta FitzGerald [mailto:
[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2016 3:23 PM To: Cc: Megan Subject: Re: Timberland has been Shortlisted for JUST Approved
Hi Thanks for getting in touch. If you are able to get us any information by Thursday 6th October, 5pm, we should have time to review it and take it into consideration. Look forward to hearing back from you. Kind regards, Jacinta Jacinta FitzGerald Research
Project JUST Instagram / Facebook / Twitter
On 5/10/2016, at 2:23 AM,
wrote:
Hi Jacinta, Sorry for the delay but I’m following up on behalf of Timberland. Know we’ve missed your deadline, so wasn’t sure if we could s=ll par=cipate? Is there an extension you could give us? Thank you!
Account Supervisor
855 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116
From: Jacinta FitzGerald [mailto:
[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 5:40 PM To: TimberlandCSR Cc: Megan Subject: Timberland has been Shortlisted for JUST Approved
Hi there, I am following up on my colleague Megan’s email. My name is Jacinta and I’m the Lead Researcher at Project JUST. I have good news! Timberland has been shortlisted for JUST Approved - our curated lists of the best fashion brands moving the industry in a positive direction. We have researched Timberland thoroughly and read through all the information available on the website of Timberland and VFC. We really love what you are doing and to help us make the best decision about the brands that we shortlist, we just need to know a bit more from you! I have some questions which I've pasted in below. From here we will take the research to our JUST Approved committee in early October (watch out on social media for an announcement about who is on this committee) and the committee will deliberate on whether or not Timberland will make the list. Like I said before, the more information we have the better! We would really appreciate if you could get any further information back to us by Friday September 30th, to give us time to review and process. Thanks so much for your time, I look forward to hearing back from you soon! Kindest regards, Jacinta
Jacinta
Jacinta FitzGerald Research
Project JUST Instagram / Facebook / Twitter
Timberland Questions Size / Business Model: Are you able to tell us what the lead times are for your garments? Can you tell us how many collections you release annually? Are you able to tell us how long your products are designed to last? Transparency: Can Timberland trace its entire supply chain, including subcontractors? Social: Do you have any policies in place to ensure reasonable lead times and reasonable and sustainable order placement? If Timberland ends its relationship with a supplier, do you have a program in place to ensure workers are fully paid for any hours worked? Does Timberland have local partnerships in place in high-risk areas to rehabilitate child or forced labourers if/when found? If child labour is discovered, does the brand find a way to provide for the child’s education and replace lost income to the family? Does Timberland have any policies in place to protect migrant workers? Do you have any audit reports or corrective action plans you are prepared to share publicly with us? Is Timberland directly involved in any training initiatives within its supply chain, or do you plan to be in the future? Environment Have you measured or do you intend to measure your greenhouse gas emissions for your entire supply chain? Have you measured or do you intend to measure your water footprint? Do you have any policies in place to reduce pollution and resources used for transport? Do you have plans to introduce a product recycling program? What strategies do you have in place to manage waste in your supply chain? Once again, thanks so much for your time!
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