Richard asked him to show him what he had been working on and the inventor took him upstairs and showed him a mother board for a personal computer. At that time, the only computers in use were large enough to fill a room. No one was using desk top personal computers. To make a long story short, Richard retained the inventor and the Commodore computer sold billions of dollars worth. The moving van was already on the way to take the inventor’s furniture to another town. But because Richard acted quickly, was aware and concerned about the people in the company he turned the chance meeting into millions of dollars in profits.
What is the value added for you today? I would like to introduce the American Apparel Producer’s Network (AAPN) (www.aapnetwork.net) of which I am a long time member and currently serve proudly on the board of directors. Greco Apparel is currently a member of only this organization and of course the NAUMD. In the past year I have had conversations with Richard Lerman, executive director of the NAUMD and Mike Todaro and Sue Strickland of the AAPN. The AAPN consists of members representing the entire supply chain in the sewn products industry from fiber producers through end users such as some large like Guess? and Patagonia. Our members are primarily based in the Western Hemisphere with sourcing capabilities on a global basis. We can find sourcing for an order as small as one custom unit or more than 500,000 pants or jeans per week. And leads for these relationships can be started in literally minutes once the email blast is sent. In addition to sourcing expertise our members have demonstrated that they can provide consulting or information on wide range of subjects including fabric, trim, logistics, international trade laws and state of the art technology either directly or through some close contact. I suggest you check the website to learn more. The association members are quality business people upon whom you can rely. If you are involved in manufacturing or supply chain logistics then you and your company would benefit from AAPN membership. The AAPN has been on the vanguard to educate and implement Sustainability starting with their past meeting in Miami last May attended by more than 200 people from around the world.
The AAPN is considering attending the NAUMD convention next April. There are synergistic opportunities available to both sets of membership. I would like to thank Richard, Sue and Mike for their continuing dialog about how they can bring increased value to all of us.
