A message from the president

David Sasso, Vice President of International Sales, Buhler Quality Yarns

What a special thrill it is for me to follow Carlos Arias as the President of the AAPNetwork as we start our 30th year. From its humble beginning in 1981 as a Georgia-based factory association to its role today as the only global supply network in the industry, AAPNetwork has not just adapted to change but led its charge. I know that you get the same out of this network as our company: solutions to problems; strong personal relationships; an endless stream of best practices; shared use of new technologies; priceless ‘insider’ information from others; true breakthrough thinking; and a unique channel to ‘learn forward’ across industries.

2011 is going to be a year of extreme uncertainty in costs, pricing, and visibility of demand, within every link in the chain. But, as a supply chain that we can take a leadership role today. The answer to higher costs is not to lower them but to counter them with better efficiencies, new processes and innovative management practices. Looking back on 2010, we build on these accomplishments:

• Improved our online sourcing database making it even easier to find services, goods and production instantly
• Conducted the largest annual meeting in our history, 120 people from 90 companies
• Distributed what is proving to be the best case study video of social benefits in the industry – The Rocedes video
• Created an online resource for sustainability ‘best practices’ in the apparel industry
• Launched the first of a series of seminars at OUTDOOR RETAILER on the apparel supply chain
• Partnered with OUTDOOR RETAILER to conduct the first ever ‘virtual’ trade show in the industry
• Conducted roundtables and industry sessions within the US and Peru, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala
• Built a stronger bridge to the textile industry in a day-long session with the Southern Textile Association
• Took a specialized delegation to Sri Lanka to see the most progressive ‘green’ factories in our industry
• Took a delegation of members to Germany to introduce their brands and retailers to sourcing in this hemisphere
• Generated tons of useful articles, comments, insights and trends from members through AAPNetwork to other members

We added 24 new members in 2010, spectacular growth in this most challenging economy. This growth points to the unique value AAPNetwork offers you to meet as a supply chain, learning from your suppliers’ suppliers and your customers’ customers. And this growth comes from the main attribute of members to one another – unselfishness. This network is the best resource for issues including supply chain; balanced sourcing; risk assessment; fast fashion; market speed; the Western Hemisphere and much more.

As the VP of International Sales for Buhler Quality Yarns, I cover those links of the chain that include fiber, yarn, fabric and finishing. In fact, my degree is in textiles from North Carolina State University. My career started at JP Stevens but I have been at Buhler since 2001. I have been involved in industrial engineering, yarn and fabric manufacturing, and now sales. I guess one can say I am very unique when it comes to the skill set and knowledge I possess. Because Buhler has an active role on the Cotton Board; NCTO and a wide range of related organizations, we are well verse politically and globally of what is happening in the world of textiles and apparel. What sets Buhler Yarns apart however is the extensive amount of work we do directly with a growing number of retailers and brands. Those who recognize how our yarn differentiates the garments they’re in know that it all starts with yarn – and ends with retail. So it is with great pride I assume the presidency of a network that covers this industry from end-to-end.

Make your best effort to attend our annual meeting May 1-3, 2011 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. We’re going right to the heart of it – rising costs, longer lead times, lower quantities, greater uncertainty. No one company, no single industry, no professional lobby, no regional association has a fraction of the collective knowledge of the 600 people who constitute this network. Each of us are on the firing line and none of us individually is as smart as all of us together. 2011 is the perfect time for a network like this, entering its 30th year.