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Port Authority Corporate & Social Responsibility
Most of the custom screen printed polo shirts, jackets and other apparel Kustom Imprints sells are Port Authority brand. Port Authority is manufactured by a corporation called SanMar from Seattle Washington and also exclusively manufactures the brands Port & Company, District Threads, Precious Cargo, Sport-Tek, Red House, and Cornerstone. Additionally, they are under license to produce apparel for both the Nike Golf and Ping brands.
Occasionally we have had customer inquires if our shirts are made in a sweatshop free environment. While they already know the Kustom Imprints print shop facility is sweatshop free, they would like to be assured the garments are manufactured in a sweatshop free company as well as produced environmentally safe. The below text is SanMar response to those questions.
We’re committed to a robust and transparent social compliance program
SanMar is a participating company with the Fair Labor Association (FLA). The FLA is a non-profit organization that combines the efforts of companies, colleges, universities and non-governmental organizations to promote adherence to international labor standards and to improve working conditions worldwide.
"SanMar takes social compliance very seriously and requires all suppliers to adhere to our Global Operating Principles,” says Marty Lott, SanMar president. "This process begins during supplier selection as it is critical that suppliers share our commitment to ethical practices and agree to abide by our strict requirements prior to receiving orders.”
Social Compliance
SanMar’s Global Operating Principles are based on labor standards established by the International Labor Organization, and these principles are consistent with the FLA’s Workplace Code of Conduct. The principles ban forced labor, child labor, harassment, abuse, and discrimination and require suppliers to promote health and safety, freedom of association and collective bargaining, payment of wages and benefits, and appropriate compensation for overtime.
"We also require our suppliers to submit to periodic and unannounced compliance audits and to address and correct any violations identified,” says Lott. "In this way, we create greater accountability and transparency at the factories that produce our products.”
SanMar also takes great care to ensure that the materials used to manufacture our products meet our high standards and specifications. This is required in order to become and remain a business partner of SanMar Corporation.
SanMar’s FLA-affiliated brands are Port Authority Signature®, Port Authority®, Port & Company®, Sport-Tek®, CornerStone™, Precious Cargo™ and District Threads®. Also included are the following retail brands: Red House™, Nike Golf, Tiger Woods Collection and Gildan®.
We Offer Earth-Friendly Fabrics and Styles
People are becoming more conscious about the products they’re buying and how these products are made. That’s why SanMar offers styles crafted from sustainable resources. From sport shirts to fleece to accessories, our eco-friendly products are a welcome alternative... working in harmony with nature.
We Conserve Precious Resources
For years, SanMar catalogs have used paper with a minimum of 10% post-consumer waste... saving trees, water and energy. We also meet strict Forest Stewardship Council certification standards.
We Save Gas and Retain Great People
More than 45 million Americans telecommute. SanMar joins this growing trend with our At Home program which unclogs roadways, saves gas and improves the quality of life for employees.
We Run Energy Efficient Facilities
We take steps to conserve energy by incorporating energy efficient lighting in our new distribution centers and by upgrading the lighting in our existing facilities.
We Invest In Our Communities
SanMar supports our employees’ and customers’ charitable efforts through major fundraising efforts and donations of apparel and accessories.
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