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Finding the right fit VF began in 1899 as the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company, but turned to silk manufacturing in the second decade of the 20th century. By the 1920s, Vanity Fair, as the company had renamed itself, rose to national prominence with its innovative lingerie and even more innovative lingerie advertising - Vanity Fair was one of the first firms to use live models in its ads. Over the next several decades, the company moved to synthetic fabrics for its lingerie, changed its name to VF Corporation, and began a string of acquisitions that would make it the largest clothing manufacturers in the world. New products, new directions By 1995, VF, in addition to its jeans and lingerie operations, also produced sportswear and Jansport backpacks. That same year, however, high costs forced the company to close 14 plants and lay off 7,800 employees. Also in 1995, the company tried to revive its history of advertising innovation with an ambitious plan to focus advertising and distribution efforts on specific markets and regions. In 1998 the company bought Bestform Intimates, and the next year it acquired three workwear companies. In 1999, the company formed a joint venture in Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, intending to promote its Wrangler and Jansport lines. VF also ordered a corporate facelift and emerged with a new universal motto: "We Fit Your Life." Getting too big for its britches? With the Lee, Wrangler, and Brittania brands under its belt, VF is the largest maker of jeans in the country. In 1997, VF announced plans to combine its 17 divisions into five and to cut 2,000 workers over a four-year period. However, it has expanded recently. In September 1999, it formed VF Argentina S.A., based in Buenos Aires. The next year, the company launched an e-business initiative when it partnered with SoftgoodsMatrix.com. Also in 2000, VF purchased Gitano, the Chic by H.I.S. jeans, The North Face, and H.I.S. Sportswear AG. It also planned to acquire the Eastpack backpack company. After disappointing 1999 results, VF sought to boost its sales. First, it named Thomas E. Payne as head of marketing. He planned to streamline VF's supply line. Then, in May 2000, the company implemented the first phase of its SAP Apparel Footwear Solution program, a program intended to improve domestic sales of jeans. Also in 2000, CEO Mackey McDonald introduced his vision of VF's future. He unveiled VF 2020, a model of enhanced retail services that the company plans to offer.
VF's business divisions hire independently, so call the corporate headquarters for the address of specific divisions. After VF completes its business reorganization, however, its hiring practices may be different. Additionally, most finance jobs are located in Greenboro, NC, following a corporate overhaul that relocated the company's headquarters.
VF workers say the company is one of the "most open" and "least stifling" Fortune 500 companies in which employees wear "jeans five days a week." Salaries are "average for a Fortune 500 company," but some workers say they are "concerned and worried" about the consolidation of VF's operations and the "relocation efforts" they will have to undertake. However, some workers say they are looking forward to the "expanding opportunities" in South America and Asia as VF expands into those areas.
Human Resources
Jeans;Lingerie;Knitwear;Leisure wear;Backpacks
Bugle Boy;OshKosh B'Gosh More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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