CASE STUDIES
THE STORY
Wrangler initiated an ambitious supplier survey and training process in 2015 to engage suppliers in addressing the social and environmental impacts that occur during raw material processing and manufacturing. Wrangler emulated a survey model based on the success of the Walmart Sustainability Index and brought this same model to its own suppliers. The survey results in the key areas of water, wastewater, energy and greenhouse gases, air emissions, and injury and illness rates are helping Wrangler to set training priorities.
The company instituted this new approach to strengthen relationships with contract suppliers, understand their challenges, provide training, and promote and track improvement. Working more closely with suppliers improves Wrangler’s ability to respond to questions from Walmart and other customers concerned about their own supply chain impacts. .
Aligning with Industry Tools
Wrangler leveraged the industry-specific insights of TSC and the Higg Index in developing its supplier survey questions. Wrangler modified TSC’s science-based Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the apparel industry. Wrangler also successfully used the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Higg Index as a platform to help suppliers respond to the TSC-based survey questions.
Survey Results Highlight Training Needs
With over 85% of Wrangler’s cut and sew, finishing and fabric suppliers participating, the survey results revealed a great range of capabilities. The company found that suppliers need support on water management with a 3.5-fold range in water use intensity for wet finishing. Wrangler obtained good data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while suppliers generally struggled to report their air emissions, a challenge also observed by TSC.
Wrangler is now using the data to help target its supplier capacity-building program and is reaching out to the outlier poor performers in need of training and assistance, as well as the high scorers who may have best practices to share – or whose data may need to be corrected.
Visit Wrangler’s website to learn more about the company’s sustainability program.
This project was made possible by:
