Innovation at the Frontier

FURNITURE PRODUCER ASSISTED BY SENADA RECEIVES VLO CERTIFICATION

Djawa Furni Lestari, a Yogyakartabased furniture producer that is one of the firms SENADA is facilitating to obtain VLO certification, was recently the first firm to successfully receive VLO certification for its procurement of raw materials.
VLO stands for “verification of legal origin” and third-party VLO certification is becoming increasingly essential for access to international markets, thanks to the demands of environmentally conscious consumers.
SENADA is facilitating the efforts of 40 firms in East and Central Java and Yogjakarta to achieve VLO certification based on international standards accepted by key western markets. SENADA collaborates with Rainforest Alliance/SmartWood, TUV and SGS as third parties for the certification process.


SUSTAINABLE INDONESIA WORKGROUP INITIATE S “ECO EXOTIC” CAMPAIGN

SENADA facilitated a workgroup that chose the name “Eco Exotic” for a campaign promoting sustainability of the furniture and home accessories industries in Indonesia. The workgroup, Sustainable Indonesia, consists of four furniture producers and five home accessories companies in Central Java and Yogyakarta.
This campaign aims to increase the competitiveness of Indonesian furniture and home accessories producers, especially in the growing market segment of sustainable, ecofriendly products. Key to achieving increased competitiveness is obtaining improved access to and regular participation in international exhibitions, especially “sustainable” or “green” trade exhibitions in the West (i.e., the U.S. and Europe). By the end of March the group met three times to prepare its members for the Las Vegas international trade show to be held at Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. in July 2008.

EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AIMS TO ENHANCE GARMENT INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVENESS

The Garment Partnership Indonesia (GPI), initiated by SENADA, conducted six trainings that started in February and ended in early March through an Executive Development Program. Nearly two hundred participants from companies in the Jakarta and Bandung areas attended
trainings that covered topics including quality assurance, productivity improvement, merchandizing, labor incentives, social accountability and fabric sourcing.
The Executive Development Program aims to upgrade factory workers’ competencies and develop new management practices, giving the needed mindset and skills to senior level supervisors and management. GPI is a capacity-building program driven by a network of participating partners representing brands and retailers, garment producers, associations, business service providers, and international development institutions.
The partnership initiative is part of an effort to improve business practices and manufacturing standards in Indonesia’s garment industry as means to enhance its competitiveness.