MANAGING THE BABY PRODUCTS SUPPLY CHAIN IS NOT CHILD'S PLAY. HERE'S HOW MANUFACTURERS IN THIS HIGHLY REGULATED PRODUCT CATEGORY STAY HYPER-VIGILANT TO PROTECT INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHILE CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING TO PARENTS' EVER-CHANGING COLOR, STYLE, AND FLAVOR PREFERENCES. What do actresses Jennifer Garner, Kristen Bell, and Jessica Alba have in common? They all started baby product businesses after they became mothers. Like every other parent, they became obsessed with the quality and safety of anything that went on, in, or near their children. Gamer's company, Once Upon a Farm, sells fresh, organic baby food. Bell's Hello Bello premium but affordable diapers, wipes, and skin care products are sold exclusively at Walmart. Alba's The Honest Company sells a range of products from organic formula to diapers and baby shampoo. "Quality should be scrutinized for any product, but when it comes to children's safety, it is of the utmost importance," says Charlie Wilgus, general manager of the manufacturing and supply chain practice at Lucas Group, an Atlanta-based executive search firm. "You never want a lawsuit because of something happening to a baby," adds Joe Politoske, vice president and senior account executive at USC Consulting Group. The baby products supply chain is highly regulated because little humans are so vulnerable. Rigorous testing and certification are designed to protect them from injury and illness caused by everything from loose parts they could choke on to flammable fabrics or toxic materials that include lead. Manufacturers and retailers must be vigilant to ensure that suppliers - including those overseas-adhere to design, materials, testing, and certification requirements. At Zulily.com, a Seattle-based online retailer that started as a flash sale site for parents, vendors are required to maintain all relevant testing documents that regulations mandate. Teams work closely with partners across the supply chain to manage compliance for all product categories, but especially baby products that include strollers, toys, and apparel. "We train our buying teams on product safety issues and evolving regulations while working with vendors whenever safety concerns are raised to ensure that their products meet all applicable safety standards," says Doug Hyland, Zulily's director of compliance. Dominique de Bourgknecht, founder and CEO of baby deedee, a New York manufacturer and retailer of baby sleeping bags and pajamas, has been able to find product and certification quality at a large, integrated, family-owned manufacturer in India.
展开▼
