Mainland Headwear and New Era Cap Host ‘Benefits of Supply Chain Partnerships’ Symposium in Shenzhen, China

- Program Designed to Enhance Compliance Awareness -

BUFFALO, N.Y., April 23 /PRNewswire/ — Mainland Headwear Holdings Limited and New Era Cap Company, Inc. have jointly organized a two-day symposium in Shenzhen, “Benefits of Supply Chain Partnerships,” focused on achieving greater impact and sustainability in supply chain labor compliance through strong partnerships.

The April 23-24 symposium brings together more than 40 participants, including representatives of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Florida. The FLA, comprised of universities, non-governmental organizations and apparel companies, including New Era, has played a leading role over the past decade in the development and implementation of effective labor standards compliance tools and in overseeing and reporting on how well companies are living up to their commitments.

Mainland Headwear and New Era both view the symposium as an opportunity to highlight the importance of labor standards compliance and, more broadly, to advance responsible business practices. New Era Chief Executive Officer Christopher H. Koch stated: “As a global industry leader and member of the Fair Labor Association since 2002, we recognize the need to develop and maintain a strong dialogue with our supply chain partners and other stakeholders who share our interest in advancing compliance with internationally-recognized labor standards. The success of this effort rests on true partnerships based on trust, dialogue, and shared goals. To that end, we are especially pleased to work with our partners here in China, Mainland Headwear, to demonstrate our commitment and share ideas on what each of us can do to improve sustainable compliance efforts.”

Ms. Pauline Ngan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Mainland Headwear, noted: “Through our partnership with New Era, we continue to build a stronger compliance program and a better understanding of the positive impact it has on our business. We are pleased to help carry the message of how this can help make us a stronger, more competitive company and enhance our reputation as a leading supplier of world-class products. We appreciate this opportunity to host others who are so committed to strengthening compliance here in China and around the world, and look forward to two days of productive meetings and dialogue. In particular, we are pleased to welcome officials from the Fair Labor Association and two of its best-known university affiliates for this timely exchange of information and perspectives.”

About Mainland Headwear Holdings Limited

Mainland Headwear was established in 1986 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2000. The Group is principally engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of quality headwear. With its own manufacturing plants in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Panyu, the Group manufactures licensed and branded headwear with annual production capacity of over 30 million hats in more than 5,000 designs. In 2004, the Group obtained the headwear license for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It also commenced retail business in the same year to open headwear outlets in Hong Kong and the PRC under the LIDS store brand. In 2005, the Group obtained the exclusive license to design, manufacture and sell all SANRIO products in the PRC. In 2006, the Group acquired Kangol Headwear (Panyu) Limited which manufactures about 85% of “Kangol” headwear, extending the Group’s product offerings to fashion headwear. In 2007, the Group obtained the worldwide exclusive manufacturing rights and exclusive distribution rights in Greater China and Japan of The Federation Internationale de Football Association (“FIFA”) branded headwear between 2007 and 2014. In 2008, the Group formed a joint venture with Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited (stock code: 551) and Large Forever Limited to invest in Keen Idea Group Ltd., a headwear manufacturer based in Vietnam, and became its largest shareholder. In the same year, the Group also acquired 100% stake of a tourist-souvenir retailer to expand its retail network, and also signed a seven-year manufacturing agreement with New Era Cap Co., Inc., the largest and fastest growing headwear manufacturer in the United States.

Company Website: www.mainlandheadwear.com / www.mainland.com.hk

About New Era Cap Company, Inc.

Founded in 1920, New Era Cap Company, Inc., the leading headwear manufacturer and creator of New Era Apparel, brings to market products that transcend time, culture, sport and fashion. Producing more than 35 million caps per year, New Era is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of the official on-field cap worn by every Major League Baseball team and their Minor League affiliates and maintaining agreements with other licensed entities. On the street, New Era is known as the Originator of the True Fitted for its signature cap style, the 59FIFTY. The Company is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and operates facilities in Alabama, Canada, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong. New Era is a ‘Category A’ affiliate of the Fair Labor Association.

Company Website: www.neweracap.com

    For more information:
    New Era Cap
    Dana Marciniak   Tel: 716.604.9259     Email: dana.marciniak@neweracap.com
    John DeWaal       Tel: 716.604.9137     Email: john.dewaal@neweracap.com

SOURCE New Era Cap Company, Inc.