November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

What Color For Black Skin

heads about us / Press

Il Gazzettino -  http://www.gazzettino.it/
La Tribuna di Treviso - http://tribunatreviso.gelocal.it/
Corriere del Veneto - http://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/veneto/
Il Sole 24 ore - http://www.ilsole24ore.com/
Milano Finanza - http://www.milanofinanza. com /
Free News - http://www.libero-news.it/index.jsp
OggiTreviso - http://www.oggitreviso.it/index.php
Ansa - http://www . ansa.it /
Adnkronos - http://www.adnkronos.com/IGN/News/
Corriere del Ticino - http://www.cdt.ch/
Il Mattino Online - http:/ / www.mattinonline.ch/

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Slow Ems Shipping To Canada

November 19, 2009: Communication to employees / 19th Nov. 2009: Announcement to employees

The Background

A normal Thursday afternoon in mid-November cold and gray.

A normal mail sent to all employees, as always at the end of the quarter, to convene the meeting where they were given numbers, comments and perspectives.

A normal auditorium chairs, projector and whiteboard.

A normal comings and goings of people seeking the best location (for someone, like at school, as far as possible from the speaker) and a chair to be comfortable.

A normal rumor and smile before the match.

But ...

that something special could happen were the hints: the call for the afternoon, instead of the morning as it was usual practice, the presence of the HR manager for Europe of the group, accompanied by two figures in suits and tie, a strange encounter with their manager, a few minutes before the meeting, made with the intent to reassure on what was said.

Announcement

And then ... the announcement.

summarized as follows: VF Corporation, despite the positive results achieved in sales and turnover by The North Face Italy, decided that, in a strategic rationalization of resources and synergies between the brands of the group, will move its current base in Pederobba in Lugano.

As a result, the Italian unit is closed and employees (some, not all - Ed) promises to move to Switzerland. For those who decide not to go and for "redundancies" planned for use of social safety nets to be agreed with the unions.

reactions

dismay, disbelief, sadness, anger, confusion, uncertainty ...

"What?!? If only two weeks before the sales meeting we talked about the goodness of the results and growth prospects in the coming years (not days or months, but years )..."

"What?!? If we have several ongoing research staff to expand and improve our internal staff ... "

" What?!? If only a few days ago he had discussed with local authorities to make a direct entrance from the street Feltrina ... "

" What?!? If you have already scheduled meetings between managers and individual employees to discuss personal business plan and growth of the year ... "

awareness ... awareness that something goes Indeed, all together, united, looking for solutions and dialogue with the company to ensure that the site is not moved or, if this is not possible to be done as "painless" (what an ugly word) for all people who have contributed so The North Face became a brand leader in its field.
Why in this cold and gray Thursday afternoon, these people would never expect this news ...

Prior the event

On a normal Thursday afternoon mid November: cold and gray.
A normal e-mail sent to all employees to invite them to the usual end of quater meeting to share numbers, comments and prospects.
A normal auditorium with chairs, projector and flipchart.
A normal coming and going of people trying to find the best position (some far away from the speaker like at school) and a chair where to stay comfortable.
Normal rumours and smiling before the start of the meeting. However... There was a feeling something strange would have occured: the schedule of the meeting in the afternoon instead of the morning as usual habit; the presence of the VF European HR Director together with two men dressed up in tie and jacket; a strange meeting with the directors few minutes before in order to reassure their teams for what would have been said later on during the company meeting.
The announcement
and... the announcement.
It can be summarized as follows: VF Corp, regardless the positive sales and turnover results achieved by The North Face Italy, has strategically decided to move the premises from Pederobba to Lugano in order to concentrate and rationalize resources and synergies between the various VF brands.
Therefore the italian location will be closed and VF will ask the employees (some, not all) to relocate to Switzerland. For those who will not accept or for the voluntary redundancies, the company will propose "social cushions" that will need to be agreed with the trade unions.
Behaviours
Dismay, incredulity, sorrow, anger, confusion, uncertainty...
"What?!? Only 2 weeks ago during the salesmeeting we were told what great results had been achieved and what growing targets were expected for the coming years (years, not days or months...)"
"What?!? We have recruitements in place in order to strengthen and expand the internal staff..."
"What?!? Just few days before the company discussed a plan for a direct car access from the Feltrina road together with the local authorities..."
"What?!? Appraisal meetings have already been planned between manager and team member to discuss the yearly personal committment plan and achievement of agreed goals..."
Awareness... awareness something must be done, all together, a joint force, with the aim to find solutions and have a dialogue with the company to avoid the moving of the premises. In case this will not be possible, to ensure the transition will be as less "painful" (what a terrible word) as can be for all the people who have contributed to the success and leadership of The North Face brand.
All those people would have never expected such an announcement during that cold and grey thursday afternoon...

Dresss Sizes By Country

Welcome to the Future?? / Welcome to the future??

Since the first of November 19th our company, encourages us to senirci part of a winning team:

We are the leader!
We are leaders in innovation (and we Openly Encourage all employees to innovate in Every department)
empover We support our employees and to drive brand
Our
out heritage and RESPECT We Have a defined path to the future
We are the custodians of a sustainable business model for all stakeholders
We Own the responsability to Develop and inspire the next generation of athlets and ehthusiast
We are committed to driving profitable growth as a Means to Positively Influence Our INCREASE

To emphasize this, in a recent company meeting (July 3, 2009) have explained the negative data, both in terms of sales and who are made redundant or laid off from other companies sport system that surround us.

They stressed in particular the results Positive The North Face: TNF

Globally Grows 14% in first quarter 2009

encouraged, in particular how the following sentence:

If you do not grow, you die

(Printed also even on T-shirts that have been delivered)

The shirt read:

Follow me, I know where I am growing

If you do not grow, you die

We have also indicated the exhibition Mission for the F09:

MISSION: To be the Global Leader in enabling outdoor activities through the design and development of Premier, and Authentic Technically Innovative Products. Products That Inspire and Enable Consumers to Never Stop Exploring.

And now ???????

Welcome to the Future (company meeting July 3, 2009)

But what will our future ????????????????

Before November the 19th, our leaders urged us to feel part of a winning team:

We are the leader!
We are leaders in innovation (and we openly encourage all employees in every department to innovate)
We empower and support our employees to drive our brand
We respect our heritage and have a defined path to our future
We are the custodians of a sustainable business model for all stakeholders
We own the responsibility to inspire and develop the next generation of athletes and enthusiasts
We are committed to driving profitable growth as a means to positively increase our influence

To emphasize this, during one of the last meetings (3rd July 2009) they have explained to us the downside, both in terms of turnover and people fired or layoffs at other sport system companies around us. In particular, they have highlighted the positive outcome of The North Face:

TNF Grows 14% Globally in first quarter 09

In particular, exhorting us with the following sentence: 

If you don’t grow, you die

(Printed on the t shirts that we have received from them)

T shirts carried the following:

Follow me, I know where I am growing.

If you don’t grow you died.

They have also explained our Mission for F09:

Mission :To be the Global Leader in enabling Outdoor activities through the design and development of Premier, Authentic and Technically Innovative Products. Products that Enable and Inspire Consumers to Never Stop Exploring.

And now ???????????

Welcome to the Future (company Meeting 3 July 2009)

But what will be our future ??????????????

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Buzzing In Right Foot

November 1, 1997: The opening of the Italian branch / November the 1st, 1997: Inauguration of the Italian offices

Here is the official press release which was announced with the opening of the Italian offices of The North Face.

American company The North Face, a leading manufacturer of clothing and accessories for the mountain, opened on 1 November '97 offices Italian.

Only a few months ago, the only European base of California's The North Face was stationed in Port Glasgow, Scotland. From 1 November 1997, however, is identified in the Italian north-east, a center for new sales and marketing office, which co-exist with the structure of UK

If the new Italian center constitutes a unit appropriate for meet the need for renovation and expansion of the ever more demanding European reality, that of Port Glasgow still remains to all intents and purposes the head office of The North Face Europe, where they are also housed administrative offices, warehouses and production units.

The European team is led by Karl Heinz Salzburger, acting chief executive, who is assisted by two other officers in Italy and two in Scotland.

The North Face Italy Srl, which is located in Volpago del Montello, Treviso, takes care to outline the strategies and develop sales promotions, marketing and advertising throughout Europe. A staff of eighteen people from seven different countries reflects the dynamism of a mark in Europe ended 1997 with a sales increase of 36% compared to 1996, with a turnover of 39.8 million dollars.

Easily accessible from all over Europe and providing the most advanced communication systems, such as the Internet and videoconferencing, the structure of European Volpago offers customers high quality services and efficiency. A large Summit Shop, the shop-within-a-shop by The North Face, is housed within the company and serves as a sample room, where guests and visitors may find the setting of a typical store The North Face. For 1998 there is a strong impetus to the Summit Shop program, with 35 new openings in Europe, which will bring the total to 325 Summit Shops in the world.

Besides technical mountain clothing, skiwear and accessories to, the company has introduced since 1996 in its product range the Tekware, a sportswear line fits also leisure and built with materials that are extremely innovative. Tekware in 1997 accounted for 12% of sales worldwide, an increase of 140% compared to 1996 and thus positioned right between the leading products for the coming seasons.

Here is the official press release with Which It Was Announced the inauguration of the Italian offices of The North Face.

The American company The North Face, a global leader in technical outdoor apparel and gear, opened the Italian Headquarter on November the 1st, 1997.

Just few months before, the only European base of the Californian company The North Face was stationed in Port Glasgow, Scotland. From 1 November 1997, however, is identified in the north-eastern Italian (SportSystem District), a center for the new sales and marketing offices, which coexist with the structure of UK.

If the new Italian center constitutes a unit suitable to meet the need for renovation and expansion of the ever more demanding European reality, that of Port Glasgow still remains, to all intents and purposes, the head office of The North Face Europe, where they also housed the administrative offices, warehouses and the production units.

The European team is led by Karl Heinz Salzburger, Chief Executive Officer, who works with other two top leaders in Italy and two in Scotland.

The North Face Italy S.r.l., located in Volpago del Montello, in the province of Treviso, is responsible for drawing up the sales strategies and developing sales promotions, marketing and advertising throughout Europe. A staff of eighteen people from seven different countries reflects the dynamism of a brand in Europe ended 1997 with increased sales by 36% compared to 1996, with a turnover of 39.8 million dollars.

Easily accessible from Europe and equipped with the most advanced communication systems, such as the Internet and videoconferencing, the structure of Volpago offers European customers efficiency and high quality services. A spacious Summit Shop, the shop-within-a-shop of The North Face, is housed within the company and serves as a samples room, where guests and visitors may find the environment of a typical store The North Face. For 1998 there is a strong impetus to the Summit Shop program, with 35 new openings in Europe, bringing the total of 325 Summit Shop in the world.

Besides technical outdoor clothing , at skiwear and accessories, the company has introduced since 1996 in its range of products the tekware, a sportswear line also suitable for leisure and built with Extremely innovative materials. In 1997, the tekware accounted for 12% of sales worldwide, an INCREASE of 140% Compared to 1996 and positioning Thus Itself Among the leading products right for next seasons.

Cervical Fluid If You Have Become Pregnant

Profile VF Corporation - The North Face /

VF Corporation

VF Corporation is a leading quality lifestyle apparel including jeanswear, outdoor sports products , underwear, clothing and sporting image.

Among its principal brands include Lee ®, Wrangler ®, Riders ®, Rustler ®, Nautica ®, John Varvatos ®, JanSport ®, Eastpak ®, The North Face ®, Vans ®, Reef ®, Napapijri ®, Kipling ®, Red Kap ®, 7 For All Mankind ®, 20X ®, Bulwark ®, Majestic ®, Eagle Creek ®, Chef Designs ™, The Force ™, Lucy ®. The press releases, annual report of VF Corporation, and other information are available on the Company's website: http://www.vfc.com/ .

The North Face

The North Face ®, a subsidiary of VF Corp., was founded in 1966. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company produces and distributes products of the most technical and advanced on the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers and explorers in general. In response to growing demand from consumers of the old continent of The North Face ® products, in 1983 the company opened its European headquarters. Today's The North Face ® products are sold throughout the world including the following European countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Hungary. The clothing, equipment and footwear The North Face ® are sold in specialty mountaineering, skiing and backpacking, sporting goods retailers of high quality and specialized centers for the sale of equipment and outdoor clothing. More information about The North Face is available at http://www.thenorthface.com/

About VF Corporation VF
Corporation is a leader in branded lifestyle apparel Including jeanswear, outdoor products, intimate apparel, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands include Lee ®, Wrangler ®, Riders ®, Rustler ®, Nautica ®, John Varvatos ®, JanSport®, Eastpak®, The North Face®, Vans®, Reef®, Napapijri®, Kipling®, Red Kap®, 7 For All Mankind®, 20X®, Bulwark®, Majestic®, Eagle Creek®, Chef Designs™, The Force™, Lucy®. VF Corporation's press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, http://www.vfc.com/ .

About The North Face
The North Face, a subsidiary of VF Corp., was founded in 1966. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers and explorers. To meet the growing demand for The North Face® products from consumers on the Old Continent, the Company began its operations in Europe in 1983. Today, The North Face® is distributed worldwide including in the following European countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and UK. The company's products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking and skiing retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains. Additional information about The North Face ® can be found on the company's website, http://www.thenorthface.com/ .

What Color Bands Mean

Company Profile Who we are / Who we are

About Us ...

160 " Resources " that with commitment, dedication and above all a great deal of passion and attachment to the brand in recent years have contributed to the growing success of The North Face.

160 " Resources " who have believed and continue to do so, in a company that has always made to cultivate talents.

160 " Resources " coming from all over the globe, to work in the best district sportsystem the world, who shared a project and are involved in the conception, creation and sale of products whose philosophy is tied to the Leisure and freedom, in search of new worlds and new experiences.

160 " Resources " together who want to keep doing this, here in Pederobba, because they did well, they are doing well and will continue to do well.

Who we are...
160 " Resources " who have worked with commitment, dedication and overall lots of passion and fidelity to the brand contributing to the growing success achieved by The North Face
160 " Resources " who have trusted and continue to trust a company who has always declared to form talents
160 " Resources " coming from all parts of the world to work in one of the best worldwide sportsystem areas. Resources who have worked together in a project committing to develop and sell products for the outdoor enthusiasts and for those who never stop exploring.
160 " Resources " in a joint force Who Want to keep doing this, in Pederobba, Because They did it well, keep doing it well and will keep doing it well.