“The agreement requires PUMA to underwrite the costs and to cut off business with any factory that refuses to make necessary safety upgrades. It gives workers and their unions a role in the process according to the non-profit Worker Rights Consortium,” said Caroti at PUMA’s stakeholder meeting at the Banz monastery in Bad Staffelstein in front of 67 participants from non-governmental organizations, academia, suppliers and corporations.

PUMA sources 11% of its apparel products from six supplier factories in Bangladesh. All PUMA suppliers in Bangladesh were A to B+-rated after having been audited by PUMA’s audit team.

PUMA has defined clear mandatory standards for all suppliers in the “PUMA.Safe Handbook of Occupational Health and Safety,” which includes specifications on working safety as well as the architecture and structural engineering aspects of their buildings (See Chapter 9 on about.puma.com/en/Sustainability/Codes-and-Handbooks). Following the building collapse in Bangladesh in April, we immediately contacted all PUMA suppliers to receive confirmation from the suppliers that they are following these regulations and to request the structural engineering certificates for all buildings. Future audits of supplier factories will be carried out with a renewed focus on these aspects.

A special guest at PUMA’s 10th annual stakeholder meeting – that focussed on the question “How to let Consumers live and support Sustainability” – was Nazma Akter, President of the Bangladesh Combined Garment Workers Federation and a former child worker in an apparel factory, who elaborated on the working conditions in Bangladesh supplier factories and called upon PUMA to increase the sourcing volumes from Bangladesh in order to support the important apparel industry of the country.

PUMA’s stakeholder meeting took place from June 3 to 4, 2013.

A full list of PUMA suppliers is available on:

The Joint Roadmap, Version 2, presents the ZDHC Group’s long term vision, interim 2015 milestones and 2020 goals. It builds on the previous Joint Roadmap document and sets out a new plan, incorporating and reflecting comments received from a wide range of stakeholders, including textile industry suppliers and associations, government agencies in Asia, Europe and the United States, non-governmental organisations, international development organisations and the chemical industry.

“To achieve the goal of systemic change and commercialisation of new, preferred alternative chemistries, we will need to transform the industry’s manufacturing inputs and processes. This requires full collaboration amongst thousands of organisations,” said Jessica Wollmuth, ZDHC Programme Manager. “Good progress has been achieved thus far, and the Joint Roadmap, Version 2, lays a firm foundation for creating an apparel and footwear industry that delivers high quality products using safe chemistries.”

ZDHC Group achievements in the past year include having:

• Completed chemical use and management surveys, and wastewater testing for approximately 150 analytes at 20 facilities in Bangladesh, China, India, Taiwan China and Vietnam
• Completed a chemical inventory that is the most complete, publicly available compilation of information on chemicals used in the textile industry
• Developed training materials in English and Chinese
• Developed and delivered training to suppliers
• Engaged with more than 350 potential stakeholders
• Completed system mapping, critical to the understanding of the interconnected issues, leverage points and stakeholders involved.
• Agreed to timelines for the phase out of C8 chemistry by no later than January 1, 2015
• Worked with suppliers to address the most pressing chemicals of concern, starting with APEOS, and will continue to do so in 2013
• Worked to identify safer chemistries and mechanisms to incentivise chemical suppliers to invest in these alternatives

“Building on the knowledge gained during the first full year of implementation, the Joint Roadmap, Version 2 provides an overview of the guiding principles and long-term vision of the ZDHC group, and defines key activities that will catalyse industry change,” said Wollmuth. By implementing tasks in seven workstreams defined in the Roadmap, specifically Chemical Hazard Assessment, Prioritisation and Action, Training, Right to Know, Assessment and Auditing, Management Systems Approach, Structure and Documentation Stakeholder Partnering, and Chemicals Management Best Practices Pilot. The ZDHC Group will develop and promote industry best practices to deliver a safer and cleaner environment. “Our goal is ambitious, and the ZDHC Group and partners are fully committed to working together to achieve it, “ said Wollmuth.

PUMA and Arsenal will work together to bring further innovation into the sports brand’s performance apparel range. Both organisations will work collaboratively on a global strategy to drive mutual growth across all football markets, achieved through PUMA’s global sales network, international tours and integrated marketing activities. Arsenal also presents PUMA with its most prominent platform to showcase performance products through its significant global fanbase, profile and reputation.

Having extended and deepened its relationship with the FIGC (Italian Football Federation), signed 2013 UEFA Champions LeagueTM finalists Borussia Dortmund and bolstered its player portfolio with Sergio Agüero, Cesc Fàbregas, Mario Balotelli, Radamel Falcao, Olivier Giroud and Yaya Touré amongst others; PUMA is defining itself as the clear number three football brand.

Bjoern Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for PUMA said: “Arsenal have been a key strategic target for PUMA for a number of years now. Through a clear commercial vision, a well-defined sports marketing strategy and a relentless enthusiasm within the PUMA organisation, we’re proud to have signed this partnership with a truly global football club. As we enter a new era in our company history, Arsenal represents a major commercial and marketing opportunity to reinforce PUMA’s credibility as a global sports brand, and we have full confidence the plans in place to activate this partnership will have a significant global impact.”

Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive Officer at Arsenal Football Club said: “We are excited to be partnering with PUMA, a company whose football heritage and record of innovation have a strong affinity with our own. This represents another important step forward in Arsenal’s progression on and off the pitch.”

Imagery and further assets can be downloaded from the PUMA Press Centre: about.puma.com/en/Newsroom

Media Contacts:

PUMA
Tim Stedman, International PR, PUMA
+49 151 1474 3148
tim.stedman@puma.com

Arsenal
Mark Gonnella, Communications Director
+44 207 704 4010
mgonnella@arsenal.co.uk

Katie Baldwin, Senior PR Manager
+44 207 704 4010
kbaldwin@arsenal.co.uk

Sports company PUMA SE and leading beauty company L’Oréal have signed a license agreement for beauty products, becoming effective 1 January 2015. PUMA’s license contract with former personal care product licensee Procter & Gamble will terminate on 31 December 2014.

About L’Oréal

L’Oréal has devoted itself to beauty for over 105 years. With its unique portfolio of 28 international, diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 23 billion euros in 2013 and employs 77,500 people worldwide. As the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair styling salons, travel retail and branded retail.

Research and innovation, and a dedicated research team of 4,000 people, are at the core of L’Oréal’s strategy, working to meet beauty aspirations all over the world and attract one billion new consumers in the years to come. L’Oréal’s new sustainability commitment for 2020 “Sharing beauty with all” sets out ambitious sustainable development objectives across the Group’s value chain.

www.loreal.com

CONTACTS AT PUMA

Corporate Communications

Mr Ulf SANTJER
+49 9132 81 2489
ulf.santjer@puma.com

Global Licensing

Mr Anthony WARD
+49 9132 81 3168
anthony.ward@puma.com

CONTACTS AT L'ORÉAL

Individual shareholders and market authorities

Mr Jean Régis CAROF
Tel: +33 1 47 56 83 02
jean-regis.carof@loreal.com

Financial analysts and Institutional investors

Mrs Françoise LAUVIN
Tel: +33 1 47 56 86 82
francoise.lauvin@loreal.com

Journalists

Stephanie CARSON-PARKER
Tel: +33 1 47 56 76 71
stephanie.carsonparker@loreal.com

PUMA will continue to outfit team drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg with its lightweight race suits and footwear. All technical pit personnel will also wear PUMA’s latest innovations in performance race wear. 

A licensed MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS collection will also continue to be developed and distributed by PUMA which will include footwear, apparel and accessories that are inspired by the F1 team’s heritage and driver personalities.

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, commented: “PUMA has been a key performance partner for the three seasons we have now worked together, ensuring our drivers are outfitted in the lightest and most innovative performance race wear. This is an important component of our racing operation within a continually evolving and challenging industry. As a licensed partner, PUMA has excellent capabilities of designing, developing and distributing high quality products that carry our brand identity. This partnership is very important for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS and we are delighted that it will continue for the years ahead.”

Bjørn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for PUMA said: “We are very excited to continue our partnership with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, who, after an incredible season this year will no doubt continue to achieve great things. PUMA has good heritage in motorsport and we are constantly working with our partner teams to innovate our performance race apparel and footwear, and help them be the fastest and achieve success. We’re proud to work with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS team and look forward to the next phase of this relationship.”

*Subject to official confirmation by the FIA of the results of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship

Through this partnership, Rihanna will be the face of PUMA’s Women’s Training category. Fans can anticipate PUMA and Rihanna taking a fresh, forward thinking and non-traditional approach to sports, fitness and lifestyle – fusing Rihanna’s personality, love of sports, spirit and style into the growing footwear and apparel segment. No stranger to breaking the mold with beauty, fashion and lifestyle trends, Rihanna, with PUMA’s support, will bring her personal touch and creativity to the athletic world.

Rihanna will also assume the role of PUMA’s Creative Director for the category, directly influencing product collections as early as 2015, and working in partnership with PUMA’s Internal Product Creation team. These collections will be designed with the goal of strengthening women in training sessions and beyond, and inspiring confidence in their bodies and themselves – the exact confidence for which Rihanna is so well known and celebrated. As part of her role, Rihanna will work with PUMA to design and customize classic PUMA styles as well as create new styles to add to the PUMA product portfolio.

Speaking about the new partnership with PUMA, Rihanna said: “It’s great to find a brand that celebrates strength and individuality. I couldn't think of a more perfect partner to collaborate with as a creative director. I'm excited for you to see what PUMA and I come up with.”

Rihanna will play a starring role in PUMA’s brand campaign, Forever Faster and be featured along with many of PUMA’s world-class athletes such as Usain Bolt and Sergio Aguero. PUMA and Rihanna will launch several fan activations throughout the partnership around the world such as consumer and retail events, training and fitness related social media content, and product programs.

Bjørn Gulden, CEO at PUMA commented: “Signing Rihanna is a fantastic step for PUMA. Her global profile, her charisma and individuality, her ambition – all these things make her a perfect ambassador for our brand. She also aligns perfectly with the values PUMA strives for: to be Confident, Brave, Determined and Joyful. With a strong portfolio in football, running and motorsport, finding an inspiring partner for women’s training was very important. Rihanna was a natural choice for us. We’re delighted to have her as a partner, and we’re looking forward to what’s to come.”

Adam Petrick, Global Brand & Marketing Director for PUMA said, “Rihanna brings joy to audiences around the world but also ignites and awes. PUMA admires her for never waiting for the next big thing, but more so for driving what happens next - in fashion, style, music and soon to be - sports. We can't wait to empower women worldwide with Rihanna - she demonstrates a body confidence and determination that is the exact representation of the PUMA Woman.”

Anxious to learn more? Follow PUMA and Rihanna’s journey on Instagram (@PUMA and @badgalriri), Twitter (@PUMA and @rihanna) and Facebook (facebook.com/PUMA and facebook.com/Rihanna) and online at www.puma.com and www.rihannanow.com.

Media Contact:
Tim Stedman, International PR, PUMA
+49 151 1474 3148
tim.stedman@puma.com

Kristina Fields, Head of Partnership Management, PUMA
617-435-9964
kristina.fields@puma.com

Amanda Silverman
42West
Amanda.Silverman@42West.Net

The Global Sports brand has a rich heritage in African Football and has been actively engaged in the continent since 1998.  PUMA has also enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Ghana, partnering with the GFA since 2005.

Christian Voigt, PUMA’s Senior Head of Sports Marketing comments: “We are very happy to extend our partnership with the Ghana Football Association.  African Football is important to PUMA, and the ten years of partnership we have enjoyed with the GFA have seen some great moments – none more so than the Black Stars being a kick away from becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final, four years ago.  The appetite and passion for football in Ghana is infectious, and this wonderful spirit has endeared the national team to the World.  We are proud to be associated with them and to continue this relationship.  

Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Federation said: “Over the past decade, PUMA has excelled in its commitment and support for the Ghana Football Association, and we are very happy this partnership will continue.  PUMA understands African Football and the nature of its teams and they have delivered everything we have asked of them in helping prepare all of the Ghana senior and youth teams to go forward and be successful.  Signing this new contract with PUMA gives us great confidence for the years ahead, kicking off with the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations next week.”

Through this agreement, the FIGC and PUMA will actively work together on a number of projects to grow the image, profile and commerciality of the FIGC on a global level. This will entail shared marketing investment allocated to core areas of focus within the FIGC programme including youth development, women’s football, countering racism and the internationalisation of the FIGC brand.

As PUMA continues to reassert itself as a Global Sport Brand with strong heritage in performance, the FIGC partnership is one of great strategic importance. Dating back more than ten years, PUMA first became the partner of the ‘Squadre Nazionali’ in 2003. This next era will see the partnership continue to expand and instigate greater mutual return to both organisations.

Bjørn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for PUMA said: “Extending this long standing partnership with the FIGC is extremely important to PUMA and is another key step towards our goal to become the Fastest Sport Brand in the World. The FIGC with all its heritage and class is a major ingredient in our football portfolio and there is a clear vision amongst their new senior management that we share and are enthusiastic to support. The coming years will see a deeper commitment from PUMA to the FIGC and we see great commercial opportunity through a partnership that has continued to grow yet retains great potential.”

Carlo Tavecchio, President of the FIGC commented: “The partnership extension with PUMA represents a very important result for the FIGC. It will bring benefit us greatly both in affirming our brand at an international level and because it will see both organizations committed to developing special projects. The FIGC has defined a 360 development plan that is effective across the National A Team to the youth teams, from women’s football to social responsibility projects. In addressing these ambitious plans, PUMA will be a highly valued partner that we are proud to have with us for a long time.

The first collection by Kering Eyewear - PUMA’s “Collezione Uno” - will be made up of optical frames and sunglasses, which will be divided into three main segments: Performance, Active and Sportstyle. Each product segment is characterized by style, form and combines technology and color, which makes the products distinctive and functional for specific needs and situations. In line with PUMA’s new brand positioning as a sports brand, the range will also include eyewear items specifically designed for Running and playing Golf. The first collection will be officially presented in July 2015.

“A new phase in the world of eyewear is beginning for us,” said Bjørn Gulden, CEO of PUMA. “PUMA’s new brand positioning as a true sports brand means that we need to offer eyewear collections that are able to go beyond the expectations of athletes and to guarantee better performance thanks to continuous quality research and innovation. I would also like to thank Charmant for the good cooperation in the last 12 years. They have not only created a solid foundation for our Eyewear business, but also significantly expanded it and established PUMA Eyewear as a successful brand.”

Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear said: “Being a brand leader in sportswear and a strategic brand for the Group, PUMA offers us the extraordinary opportunity of developing an extremely innovative product with notable growth potential, especially in the performance segment, where the technology that we are able to develop will give us a unique positioning in the sports eyewear sector”.

The eyewear collections continue to be available in the PUMA Stores, including PUMA’s Online Store as well as retail stores.

Daniela Molin, who has more than 20 years of product management experience in the sports industry, started her career at PUMA in 1996. Since then, she has held several positions within the company’s Accessories business. As Senior Head of Product Management Accessories, she has contributed significantly to the positive development of the Business Unit over the recent years and will continue to further expand PUMA’s market position in this important segment. She will be based in Herzogenaurach, reporting to CEO Bjørn Gulden.

With Philippe Le-Bretton, PUMA further strengthens its management team in the Asian Pacific market. Le-Bretton has been with PUMA since 2007 and looks back on almost 20 years of experience within the sports and fashion industry with brands such as Lacoste Accessories (Licence of Samsonite) and Longchamp. Before his role as General Manager Accessories and Licensing, he held leading positions at PUMA such as Head of Sales for PUMA’s APAC region. Le-Bretton will be based in Singapore, reporting to CEO Bjørn Gulden.