Rick Helfenbein
Experts Talk Sourcing Outside China and Up-and-Coming Countries
China has consistently been the dominant global locale for sourcing apparel, but as costs increase not…
Op-Ed: USA, Our Zombie Congress
Did you ever wonder what Americans are obsessed with? Turn on your TV almost any night and take note of the…
Op-Ed: Tensions in Vietnam Yet to Subside
The proverb says that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Is that what just happened in…
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AAFA, STR Host TPP Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City
In order to shed some light on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and what it will mean for the apparel…
U.S. Trade: The Great Congressional Conspiracy
It’s hard to argue with numbers. The American people just don’t like the 113th Congress–the numbers tell us…
Press Release: Rick Helfenbein Becomes AAFA Chair
Arlington, VA – During the 2014 American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) Annual Executive Summit…
Guest Editorial: The Comedy of Congress
Thamsanqa Jantjie stood upright as he delivered sign language movements during President Obama’s eulogy for…
SJ Guest Editorial Haiti: Hope, Hope and Help
Shortly after the earthquake, I was in the countryside near Port-Au-Prince, trying to arrange help for an…
Guest Editorial: US Assistance to Typhoon Stricken Philippines; “How Do I Love Thee?”
In the wake of the Philippines’ disastrous Typhoon Haiyan, President Obama declared: “Today, our message…
Sourcing Summit “Alternatives to China” Panel Highlights
The concluding panel at the Sourcing Journal’s inaugural event, “Sourcing Summit: Projections and…
SJ Guest Editorial: US/Cambodia Trade: Where the Tailorbird Flies
It’s also true that when an apparel company leaves one designated area (like China) to manufacture product…
US/Philippines Trade: With Friends Like Us…
Luen Thai USA President Rick Helfenbein argues that the Philippines hasn't been treated fairly with regard to…
US Trade: Don’t Count on Congress
Let’s face it, our common issue for the textile, footwear and apparel industry is COMMERCE, and that issue…
Travel Goods Makers Want Out of China, Ask for Duty-Free Status
Coach Inc., Luen Thai USA and other travel goods manufacturers are pushing to expand a U.S. trade program…
Flexible Supply Chain Strategy Key to Sourcing From Long-Lead Time Countries
Fast fashion retailers have changed traditional operating models by speeding up time to market and adopting…