LT Apparel Group Vendor Manual October 2013

477 Pages·2012·34.47 MB·English

by  Vishal Chaudhry

LT Apparel Group
Vendor Manual
October 2013

October 2013
1
LT Apparel Group
Company Background

It was in 1958 that three business people determined that the children's wear market would benefit
from a strong, recognized brand - at a time when there were relatively few. They launched LT Apparel
Group and set out to produce durable, well-styled clothing that was value priced. The company's early
entry into the children's wear market made LT Apparel Group a pacesetter from the beginning, and the
company soon became a company of "firsts". It was the first to successfully bring fashion-coordinate
groupings to the mass market, the first to produce and mass market a school uniform line for public
schools, and the first to offer guaranteed next-day UPS shipping.

Along with these firsts, LT Apparel Group has distinguished itself through other competitive advantages.
It is one of the only companies that produces a complete line of all categories for both girls and boys,
including active wear, denim, holiday wear, outerwear, playwear, school uniforms, sportswear and
swimwear. LT Apparel Group is also one of the few children's wear companies that develop and
merchandises branded lines for all market tiers, from department stores to discount stores to
independents. In fact, more than half the country's top 100 retailers sell LT Apparel Group's children's
wear and our lines are available at thousands of locations nationwide.

As it has grown -- along with generations of America's children, the company has developed an unusual
level of expertise in designing, merchandising, and selling highly successful lines of children's wear.
Today, LT Apparel Group is distinguished as one of the most reliable, efficient and creative
manufacturers in the children's apparel industry. Each branded line incorporates a fresh new looks,
innovative fabrication, exciting retail presentation and great value that keep LT Apparel Group brands so
popular.

OUR MISSION
At LT Apparel Group, a family owned company since 1958, our mission is to execute the right product, at
the right time, at the right price for our customers.

We will continue to develop our unique brand portfolio and adhere to high quality standards in
everything we do for all of our associates and partners worldwide.
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Acknowledgement Agreement

By signing below the vendor acknowledges receipt of LT Apparel Group Vendor Manual (the Manual)
and is furthermore acknowledging compliance with and an understanding of the Manual.
Vendor Name: ______________________________________
Vendor Address: _____________________________________
___________________________________________________
Vendor Code: _________________ Country: ______________
______________________________ ___________________
Agent/Office: _________________

Authorized Signatory for Factory
(With Company Seal)
Date

Authorized Signatory for Office/Agent
(With Company Seal)
Date
(This agreement once executed by an authorized signatory of vendor is to be scanned & sent to the
Production Manager)
3
Revision Log

Date of Revision Chapter Details
9/27/12 9.1 Pg 124 - Revised chapter 9.1 Added 2 new documents -
9/27/12 9.1 Pg 143 - Added 2 new documents to Chapter 9.1
- 1A. Quality Control Guidelines
- 1B. Required Order Process
Revised Chapter 1 - LTAG Vendor Compliance Process & Vendor Code
10/17/13 1 Creation
10/17/13 1A Added new Chapter - 1A LTAG New Vendor Checklist
10/17/13 1.1 Social Compliance Guidelines for Suppliers & manufacturers
10/17/13 Annexure 1B Revised - 1 - LTAG - Local Office Guidelines
10/17/13 Annexure 1B Revised - 2 - Exhibit I - LT Apparel Group Code Of Conduct
10/17/13 5 Sub-contracting – Updated Brand names
10/17/13 9 Global Quality Processes & Third Party Inspections
10/17/13 Annexure 9B Global Compliance & Quality Organization Structure
10/17/13 Exhibit 9A Included AQL sampling plan
Testing requirements & details for Divisions – Updated requirements
10/17/13 11.1 for SJ & removed Sprockets
10/17/13 11.2 CPSIA & GCC – Updated naming convention for GCC as per CPSIA
RSL - A01 documentation – Updated submission guidelines to include
10/17/13 11.3 Revisions to policies.
10/17/13 11.6 Included Conflict Mineral Policy
10/17/13 Annexure 11A Included latest protocol – ITS – Sept 2013
10/17/13 Annexure 11B Included latest protocol - SGS Testing Manual - October 14 2013
10/17/13 Annexure 11E Adidas A01 Policy - Revised Sept 2013
RSL Undertaking – included reference to SGS RSL guideline for
10/17/13 Annexure 11F updates to RSL.
10/17/13 12.8 Policy on Duty Paid Shipments included
10/17/13 12.9 Policy on Air Shipments included
10/17/13 Annexure 12C1 Included - ISF (10+2) General Format Example
10/17/13 Annexure 12C2 Included - General Customs guidelines ISF

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Contents

Chapter Details Page Number
Coverpage 1
The LT Apparel Company Background 2
Acknowledgement Agreement 3
Revision Log 4
Contents 5
Chapter 1 LTAG Vendor Compliance Process & Vendor Code Creation 8
-----------1.1 Social Compliance Guidelines for Suppliers & manufacturers 13
------------1A Added new Chapter - 1A LTAG New Vendor Checklist 26
Annexure 1A Child Safety Minimum Requirements 28
Annexure 1B Social compliance documentation 30
1 - LTAG - Local Office Guidelines 31
2 - Exhibit I - LT Apparel Group Code Of Conduct 37
3 - Code of Conduct verification - Exhibit 2 41
4 - Factory Pre-source Checklist Appendix A 42
5 - Factory Profile Questionnaire Appendix B 44
6 - Factory Monitoring Program Appendix D 51
7 - Wage & Workers Interview Verification 75
8 - On Site Report - Appendix F 76
9 - Factory Internal Monitoring Report Form Appendix E 81
10 - LTAG Compliance Follow Up Guidelines 83
11 - LT Apparel Group CAP 88
Annexure 1C Factory Evaluation documentation 89
1 - LTAG Factory Evaluation Form
1A - On site Factory Evaluation Instruction Sheet 90
1B - On site Factory Evaluation Cover Sheet 92
1C - On site Factory Evaluation Factory Information 93
1D - On site Factory Evaluation Factory Capabilities 94
1E - Factory Self - Evaluation 97
2. LTAG Factory Evaluation Corrective Action plan 110
Annexure 1D Bank Details Doc 111
Chapter 2 Style/Item Naming Convention 112
Chapter 3 Production Order 114
Chapter 4 Payment Terms 117
Chapter 5 Sub-contracting 118
Chapter 6 Floor Ready Documentation 119

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Chapter Details Page Number
Annexure 6A Example of Generic Floor Ready Pls refer
separate files
Annexure 6B Example of Label Floor Ready Pls refer
separate files
Chapter 7 LTAG courier & sample charges 125
Chapter 8 Division specific SOPs 126
Chapter 9 Quality Process & Third Party Inspections 127
-----------9.1 LTAG Quality processes & SOPs List 128
Annexure 9A Quality SOPs 129
Annexure 9B Global Compliance & Quality Organization Structure 296
Exhibit 9A Included AQL sampling plan 297
Chapter 10 Packing Guidelines 298
-----------10.1 Polybag Specifications
A. Polybag Guideline Note
B. Master polybag
C. Liner Polybag
D. Individual Polybag
E. Suffocation Warning
F. Perforated polybag when needed
-----------10.2 Carton Measurements 308
-----------10.3 Overseas Carton Packing Manual 5-25-2012 309
-----------10.4 VICS Color Sizer Chart -Size Cross-Reference 330
VICS Color Sizer Chart 331
-----------10.5 Folding Methods 332
A. KNIT & WOVEN TOPS - POLO FOLD
B. SWEATERS AND SWEATSHIRTS (FLEECE) - FOLD
C. JACKETS ( Lined and Un-Lined) - DEAD MAN HALF FOLD
D. DENIM JEANS, CASUAL PANTS AND SHORT - AMERICAN FOLD
BACK VIEW
E. PLEATED DRESS PANTS AND SHORTS - SIDE FOLD SIDE SEAM VIEW
F. SKIRTS AND SKORTS-HORIZONTAL HALF FOLD FRONT VIEW-FOR
PLEATED VERTICAL HALF FOLD FRONT VIEW
G. OVERALLS, JUMPERS AND DRESSES - HORIZONTAL HALF FOLD-
FRONT VIEW
H. CARHARTT REPLENISHMENT JACKETS
Chapter 11 Testing 345
-----------11.1 Testing requirements & details for Divisions 346
-----------11.2 CPSIA & GCC 347
-----------11.3 RSL/A01 policy documentation 348
-----------11.4 Declaration of Phthalate 349
-----------11.5 Print durability 350
-----------11.6 Conflict Mineral Policy 351
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Chapter Details Page Number
Annexure 11A ITS protocols & details 353
Annexure 11B SGS protocols & details 375. Pls also
refer separate
files
Annexure 11C BV protocols & details Pls refer
separate files
Annexure 11D TUV protocols & details 378
Annexure 11E Adidas A01 Policy 380
Annexure 11F RSL Undertaking 435
Annexure 11G Declaration of Phthalate format 439
Annexure 11H Print durability submission format Examples 440
Chapter 12 Shipping & Banking 442
-----------12.1 Shipment Tolerances 443
-----------12.2 OFF PACK Cartons 444
-----------12.3 Freight Handling 445
-----------12.4 CPSIA Test Report & GCC 447
-----------12.5 US Customs Document Requirement- 10+2 ISF (Importer Security 452
Filing)
Annexure 12A IMPORTER SECURITY FILING 454
Annexure 12B ISFLTAGAPLU1234567 (ISF example) 457
Annexure 12C ISFLTAGOOLU4567890 (ISF example) 460
Annexure12C1 ISF (10+2) General Format Example 463
Annexure12C2 General Customs guidelines ISF 466
-----------12.6 Loading Details Timeline & Chargeback process 468
-----------12.7 Banking Requirements 469
-----------12.8 Duty Paid Shipments 470
-----------12.9 Air Shipments 471
Annexure 12D Shipment Check list 472
Annexure 12E Pre shipment advice example 473
Annexure 12F GCC Format 474
Chapter 13 Chargeback Schedule 477

Additional files to be referred which are not included in this document:
Annexure 6A Example of Generic Floor Ready
Annexure 6B Example of Label Floor Ready
Annexure 11B SGS protocols & details
Annexure 11C BV protocols & details

All documents in the manual are in PDF format. For forms, pls download the excel versions from
Lollyhub.
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Chapter 1

LTAG Vendor Compliance Process & Vendor Code Creation

Compliance

LTAG’s compliance process is divided into two parts:
Social Compliance – Managed by our Global Compliance Manager - Senthil Kumar. Pls send all reports as
listed below to Senthil with Vishal on cc.
Factory Evaluation (Technical) – Managed by Director, GSC - Vishal Chaudhry. Pls send all reports as
listed below to Vishal with Senthil on cc.

Pls note that both these processes are self-evaluation processes & needs to be carried out by the
Office/Agent. In case, there is no office or agent involved & we are working with the factory directly,
Factory needs to carry out the self-evaluation audits & submit reports as per below requirements.

Once both Social Compliance & Factory Evaluation have been approved by Senthil & Vishal respectively,
all the LTAG supplier factories need to be approved by Ms. Jill Schwartz, VP Sourcing,
Pls see the process flow below for your ready reference.

The following pages will speak in detail about the documentation required.

Vendor Code Creation

After Approval is recd from Ms. Jill Schwartz, Vendor Code will be created in our system by Senthil
Kumar.

Pls note no POs can be issued if a vendor code is not created in our system. Pls complete Compliance
requirements to receive LTAG POs.

We also would need the Bank details of the beneficiary to set up the same in our system, Pls see
attached annexure. Pls fill up the Bank details form & return filled form to the Senthil (GCM).

Chapter 1 1
8
Chapter 1 2
9
Social Compliance Program Overview

The LT Apparel Group compliance program is based on compliance with the Code of Conduct (Exhibit I).
The LT Apparel Group Code of conduct applies to all LT Apparel Group supplier factories. However, only
LT Apparel Factories producing LT Apparel finished goods and components with LT Apparel Group logos
or labels will be subject to monitoring.

The entire program consist of the following monitoring tools to enhance LT compliance more effective
program.

• Exhibits:-
– Code of Conduct – Exhibit 1
– Definitions of Key Code Terms – Exhibit 1A
– Code of Conduct confirmation - Exhibit2
– Monitoring visit protocols – Exhibit3
• Appendices:-
– Factory Pre-source checklist - Appendix A
– Factory Profile Questionnaire - Appendix B
– Document Request List - Appendix C
– Factory Monitoring Program - Appendix D
– Internal Monitoring Report - Appendix E
– Onsite Reporrt - Appendix F

When sending Social Compliance documents, please arrange to send the below requested pictures of
the factory,

a) Factory Name Board with front view & all sides
b) Factory Entrance,
c) Time Recording System
d) Factory department wise pictures,
e) All Exits of the factory,
f) Emergency Exits
g) Packing Section,
h) Boiler Location,
i) Compressor Location,
j) Child Care Room if applicable,
k) Medical Room If applicable,
l) Chemical & Diesel Storage,

Chapter 1 3
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