Factory Performance

To effectively audit and manage a truly global supplier network, we use an in-depth, scored audit protocol of 225 questions encompassing a broad range of issues including management systems, health and safety compliance, responsible labor practices, environmental compliance and facility/product security. We detail our full audit protocol in our Global Standards For Suppliers (GSS). Our GSS Vendor Manual also details our auditing and corrective action process.

Each question is scored on a 0-3 scale with specific criteria identified to attain each score. A score of 1 is considered substandard, 2 is considered as meeting expectations, and 3 signals best practice. When the scores are rolled-up and averaged, an average score of 2 on a 100-point scale equates to a score of 66.

Based on this scoring methodology, facilities with a total score of 95 and above are deemed “A+: Far Exceeds Expectations,” between 85 and 94 “A: Exceeds Expectations,” between 70-84 “B: Meets Expectations,” between 51 and 69 “C: Below Expectations,” and 50 and below “F; Unsatisfactory.” These facilities are placed on our Alarm List.

Between our owned, contractor and licensee facilities, we are currently monitoring 304 sewing, decoration and textile facilities. To the left is the breakdown of these facilities by compliance status. About 93% of facilities score B or above – a 2% increase from last year.

The sourcing teams have real-time access to this data, including those on the Alarm List. The compliance/sustainability and sourcing teams work closely to immediately remediate these Alarm List factories or quickly develop exit plans.

We track the score of a facility over time, and use facility scores in making sourcing decisions. The average score for the latest audit of our owned facilities is 94%, over 14 points higher than the contractor average (80%), and 21 points above the licensee average (73%). Owning our facilities is an advantage in ensuring our factories are performing at an A level. We are committed to working with licensed facilities to increase their scores and match our standards.

Facility Alarm By Country

As of 03/15/2025

Safety Data

The safety of our associates and those of the contractors who make our product is of paramount importance to us. As an apparel manufacturer for over 100 years, we know how to operate facilities safely, and we know the standards to which we should hold others.

Please see below data showing our recordable/incident rates that are significantly below Bureau of Labor Statistics averages.

We also rigorously audit against health and safety issues in our owned and contractor facilities as part of our GSS auditing program. Of the 225 questions in our audit protocol, 101 are focused on health and safety issues – with a particular emphasis on fire safety – a critical issue in the apparel industry.

Zero tolerance issues such as locked fire doors, blocked exits, or the lack of multiple escape routes place the facility on our Alarm List which requires immediate remediation or withdrawal from the facility.