From Yahoo Finance: 2025-04-21 11:28:00

Sourcing Journal’s ESG Outlook series features industry executives discussing their company’s environmental, social, and governance initiatives. Crystal International Group, founded in 1970, operates in multiple countries with a focus on promoting equity by empowering female workers across their facilities.

Crystal International Group’s biggest ESG achievement in the last 5 years was launching the “ePACE” program to empower female employees across their global workforce. This digital program builds on the success of previous initiatives to support women’s growth within the company and beyond.

Their latest ESG initiative, Crystal Sustainability Vision 2030, outlines goals to reduce their carbon footprint, create a circular supply chain, conserve water, protect biodiversity, and promote employee wellness and equity. This roadmap aims to shape a more sustainable and responsible future for the company.

The COVID crisis highlighted the importance of transparent supply chains, leading Crystal International Group to prioritize data-driven impact measurement through the Higg Facility Environmental Module. This focus on transparency has allowed them to establish intelligent, data-driven targets for their sustainability goals.

To spread awareness of progress in the industry, communication must involve all stakeholders, highlighting positive stories like the impact of programs on supply chain workers. Success stories, such as promotions within the company due to initiatives like the PACE program, showcase the positive outcomes of prioritizing worker empowerment.

The apparel industry’s biggest missed opportunity lies in overlooking employee empowerment as a strategy for supply chain resilience. Programs like PACE not only improve corporate culture but also contribute to operational efficiency and employee relationships, essential for long-term success.

Catherine Chiu, VP of Corporate Quality and Sustainability, prioritizes shopping mindfully, favoring quality, natural fibers, and products with recycled materials. She researches brands’ social and environmental practices before purchasing, opting for those aligned with sustainability values. Chiu emphasizes the importance of sustainability beyond business, focusing on sustaining livelihoods.

Read more: Catherine Chiu of Crystal Int’l Group on Unlocking Potential for Female Employees