blog.mec.ca
MEC, or Mountain Equipment Co-Op, is similar to the U.S. retailer Recreational Equipment Incorporated. It’s one of those big chains producing and selling an outdoor sporting equipment–think less hunting and fishing and more backpacking and climbing. Like REI, they’ve grown from a small cooperative to a brand name representing the outdoor lifestyle.
As a producer of its own brand, clothing, packs, and the like, they’ve turned to overseas manufacturing and sourcing of materials. With this comes the issue of the suppliers; are they treating their employees fairly? Do they pollute? Is it a “sweatshop?”
Well, this is the personal blog of the Director of Ethical Sourcing, Harvey Chan, and it leads with these words:
“WE BELIEVE BUSINESS CAN ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?”
I think it can…I think *we* can. Just go here.
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August 29th, 2008 at 7:08
I used to be pleased when I would see many products available at MEC that were “Made in Canada” . Sadly this is no longer the case.
I for one am not so concerned about price. I want to buy made in Canada and am disappointed that MEC does not do better at making Canadian products available. It is a self fullfilling prophecy to say that you cannot source items because you are to small. Try making the offer to customers and see what happens. Perhaps you would be surprised.
Cheers