A conversation with Steve Lamar of AAFA: Supply chains, sustainability & “new-shoring.”

The Modern Cotton Story

We had a special podcast this week as we hosted Steve Lamar, President & CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, for an enlightening discussion about the rapidly changing global apparel industry. We tackled topics including various challenges facing the industry today and tomorrow — such as problems at the ports and ensuing supply chain bottlenecks, trade agreements, environmental sustainability, and working to bring all industry stakeholders together to try and solve these and other problems facing the industry. We also discussed the impact of the Covid pandemic on the industry, and how it has changed the apparel business. We also had a fascinating discussion about near-shoring and re-shoring, or as Mr. Lamar puts it, “new-shoring,” as many of the new textile and apparel businesses launched in the U.S. in recent years are very different from legacy companies that dominated the domestic industry in years past. This is an important and insightful conversation with Mr. Lamar, an accomplished writer, former Peace Corp volunteer, experienced legislative and trade policy expert, who today leads the major apparel and footwear association in Washington. Hosted by Jennifer Crumpler, Fiber Development Manager and Manager of the e3 Sustainable Cotton Program from BASF, and interviewed by industry consultant Bob Antoshak.