Quality control is an essential element when expanding business opportunities and delivering products that impress international customers. Locally performed testing and inspection can uncover defects at an early stage, avoid complications and prevent unanticipated delays. By finding areas of improvement early on, producers can satisfy customer requirements on time and stand out from the competition.
PFI is a quality assurance and consulting firm with more than 60 years of experience in the footwear, leather and consumer goods industry. PFI is represented in Germany, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Its team of quality, chemical and sustainability experts engage in testing, quality inspections, factory audits, sustainability consultancy, and certification.
Textile Testing International (TTI) is a world class, globally recognized and accredited testing facility and inspection body and the first lab approved by US consumer product safety commission (CPSC) for consumer safety testing in Pakistan. TTI has a country-wide network of labs and customer centres including a modern purpose-built main testing facility in Lahore as well as liaison offices in five cities.
Together, PFI and TTI constitute a global network of recognized inspection and testing services that combines expertise on international market requirements with local presence not only in both footwear and textile industries. Locally performed quality assurance is an essential part of their services which they proudly offer to their many satisfied customers.
Global Head of Quality Management, Deichmann
Deichmann is the market leader in the German and European shoe business, headquartered in Essen, Germany. They offer a wide selection of shoes for all age groups while ensuring outstanding value for money. Deichmann is currently active in 30 countries with approximately 4,200 stores and employs around 43,000 people. In order to guarantee the quality that they promise to their customers, Deichmann works closely with their suppliers and employs outside testing institutes to monitor compliance with Deichmann’s own quality and environmental standards, which far exceed legal requirements.
Global Production Head, Josef Seibel
Josef Seibel is one of Europe’s longest established shoe manufacturers. Built to the highest quality, Josef Seibel footwear offers the highest level of comfort for all day, everyday wear. With the guiding principle Tradition – Innovation – Global Player, the manufacturer has been perfecting high quality footwear for the past 130 years. With their network of reliable international suppliers and latest production processes, Seibel produces more than 6 million pairs of shoes annually that are exported over 40 countries.
Co-Founder & CEO at DFS Digital Footwear Solutions
DFS Digital Footwear Solutions is a software provider with the vision to make the footwear industry fit for the future. Many players in the shoe world are still unfamiliar with the term digitization. Our industry is still governed by a system of multi-stage processes and separate communication and trade channels. DFS brings today’s technologies to collection development and material sourcing, connecting shoe and material producers to streamline how they work together.
General Manager, HDS/L
The HDS/L Federal Association of the German Footwear and Leather Goods Industry supports, represents and protects the common interests of German footwear manufacturers in the areas of social and economic policy. It is a federation of six regional shoe industry federations with altogether 120 members. The HDS/L actively advocates the business interests of its members towards political institutions and the public sphere and represents these in national and international committees.
Managing Director, PFI Fareast
Candice Wang is the key intermediary between PFI Germany and Asia. She has 17 years of experience in the footwear industry and expert knowledge in product inspection, factory audit and consultancy services. Her career is founded in quality, testing and inspections in the footwear industry. She also has focussed knowledge of applying digitalisation in business and management.
Managing Director, PFI Fareast
Dr. Gerhard Nickolaus has more than 40 years of experience in production facilities in Asia and in safe and sustainable chemical management. With four decades of experience in analytical testing and quality inspections of footwear, he has exceptional expertise in chemical management, identification of hazards and implementation of solutions, and highest expertise of physical and chemical testing procedures. He is the founder of the International Shoe Competence Center (ISC) and has established testing, training and education centres in Asia. His former positions include university lecturer and Chairman of German, European and international standardisation commissions such as ISO and EN.
Associate Director of Sustainability
Kelly manages the sustainability department at PFI Fareast. Her role includes advising and developing sustainability strategies, most recently working with European fashion brands on integrating post-consumer materials into new products, creating circular supply chain processes. She also conducts research in the area of legislative requirements for emerging sustainable materials. She is experienced in leading interactive workshops, facilitating panel discussions, and overseeing event logistics and execution.
CEO, TTI Testing Laboratories
Mr.Hamed K.Lateef founded TTI Testing Laboratories in 1995. Prior to TTI, Mr.Hamed has Lead various Textiles/Apparel Factories on Senior Executive positions. Mr.Hamed has served as the Chairman of various Quality & Standardization committees and an active member of Advisory Council of various Universities and Technical Education Institutes. Currently he is the Chairman of Pakistan Scientific Laboratory Association.
General Manager, TTI Testing Laboratories
Mr.Sarim Mehmood is a Textile Engineer and Business Development & Sales professional from the Textile Institute of Pakistan. He has been associated with TTI Testing Laboratories since the last 13 years. As a General Manager, Sarim is managing the operations and business development of TTI.
11:00 – 13:00 Germany
14:00 – 16:00 Pakistan
17:00 – 19:00 Hong Kong
