Corporate statement regarding PUMA's previous supplier Matamoros
Garment in Puebla, Mexico:
Matamoros Garment is a U.S. owned garment factory, located
in Puebla, Mexico. This factory specializes in the production
of uniforms for U.S. restaurants and hospitals under the Angelica
label. Until January 2003, Matamoros Garment also produced apparel
for PUMA for the U.S. market.
In early September 2002 Matamoros Garment was controlled and
audited by PUMA AG and World Cat America. The factory's board
of management had agreed to abide to PUMA's Code of Conduct
as well as "Declaration of Principles." By agreeing
to the terms of this contract any supplier dealing with PUMA
is contractually bound to follow PUMA's Code of Conduct. Any
violations of this agreement, without immediate improvements
to the factory and or conditions, ensure PUMA the right to terminate
all business relationships with that facility.
The following findings pertain to the audit conducted by PUMA
and World Cat on the Matamoros Garment factory:
- Health and safety conditions found in the factory were in
accordance with international and company standards.
- None of the interviewed workers voiced complaints that indicated
violations of PUMA's S.A.F.E. standards.
- No child labor was detected; all factory workers were age
17 and above.
- Salary levels were above the required minimum wage.
Until recently another U.S./Mexican lifestyle company used
the Matamoros Garment factory for production. During September
2002, Matamoros shipped approximately 500,000 pieces to said
company. Since September, this company has filed for bankruptcy
and has been unable to pay for deliveries already received.
Consequently, Matamoros Garment entered into financial difficulties.
Financial problems caused from this third party resulted in
considerable product delays for PUMA. These delays ultimately
lead PUMA to terminate Matamoros Garment's production contract
on October 8, 2002.
Apparently incorrect information has been spread, alleging
that PUMA would terminate Matamoros Garment's production contract
if the workers continue to demand their rights. This statement
holds no merit and goes against PUMA's Code of Conduct. More
importantly, at the time these allegations were made, ties between
PUMA and Matamoros Garment's had already been severed.
PUMA is fully aware of the responsibility it has to any workers
producing PUMA branded products. PUMA has and will ensure that
all necessary action will be taken to avoid any kind of violation.
PUMA has developed a comprehensive Code of Conduct; the support
of a worker's right to freedom of association is a cornerstone
of the Code of conduct. All business partners are obliged to
follow the Code of Conduct.
For further details regarding this issue please contact
Reiner Hengstmann +49 170 56 26 769 in Hongkong
Ulf Santjer +49 9132 81 2489 in Herzogenaurach/Germany
Lisa Beachy (001) 617 488 2945 in Boston/USA
