-Our Struggle-
Standard Apparel is a full service manufacturing plant located in San Pedro, Honduras. We are located in a Free Trade Zone, which enables us to manufacture for the U.S. The biggest obstacle in our mission to grow and empower our employees is the current multi-layer supply chain that is inherent in the apparel industry. The average garment sold retail in the U.S. has passed through
anywhere between 3-5 “middlemen” before it reaches the final customer. The issue with the current system is that it treats the factory worker as a commodity. Additionally, it puts well-meaning factory owners at a disadvantage if they want to let workers enjoy in the success of the company because this system dictates what wages need to be in order to award contracts. We have recently opened a design, development, and sales location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Opening a US location will allow us to combat the oppression that occurs within the current global apparel industry by bringing the final customer closer to our employees. We are paving the way to a sustainable business model where our workers can share in the financial benefits of the company, while still keeping our prices reasonable. Within this new system, we are not only the manufacturer- we are the supplier, sourcing agent, designer, and printer.
-Our Solution-
Our goal is to allow our employees not only a livable wage, but a path to middle class living in their country. We currently employ over 200 Hondurans, and although working within the current system is difficult, we have worked hard to create a progressive work environment for our employees. Not only do they earn more than the average garment worker, we pride ourselves on the fact that we grow our management team from within. As advocates for our workers and their families, we pay an annual educational stipend so that books and other materials can be purchased for the coming school year. Expecting mothers are allotted a three month fully paid maternity leave, and all employees are given two weeks paid vacation. We contribute monthly to their retirement account, and we recently set up a college fund for our employees seeking further education. Additionally, we have purchased an eight acre piece of land where we are constructing a safe neighborhood with affordable homes for our employees. Our factories aren’t just a place of work either- company outings, holiday parties, health fairs, and soccer tournaments help us feel the sense of community that has been bred within our walls. We aren’t just a company, we are a family.
-Our Future-
The possibilities that can come from this new business model are endless. Two of our main goals for the immediate future include providing all of our employees with the option of living in a safe neighborhood, and enrolling the children of our employees into a bilingual school. We believe that education is the path to middle class for our employees and their children. We’d like to show the world that it’s possible to allow all employees to share in the success of their own product, while still running a profitable business. By eliminating some of the inefficiency in the supply chain, we can increase the wages of garment workers worldwide. It’s easy to feel compassion towards those living in poverty stricken conditions, but it’s hard to admit that sometimes the reason that compassion exists is only because we enable the injustices committed against them. Today we challenge you to challenge the system that keeps garment workers across the globe oppressed. Partner with us, and let’s raise the standard – for the benefit of us all.
