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VNO-NCM is the largest organization in the Netherlands that takes care of the interests of businesses and industries. Its annual report for 2002 has the theme
Productivity: de engine for our prosperity. In the chapter Five tips for a smarter economy there is a contribution on the role of innovation in the improvement of the productivity in the Dutch economy. In this chapter Possen Fashion is presented as a successful example of innovation in the fashion industry. Some quotes of Bas Possen from the article:
"Possen Fashion is an innovative concept for the fashion industry. Eventually, it can replace the off-the-rack market for men’s and ladies wear in the higher segment. ( ... ) After the measurements are taken, customers can order many tailormade products, fast and effectively. Suits, shirts, pants, jackets, shoes. They can choose from more than 8.000 fabrics. The ateliers where the garments are made are in Italy, France and Germany. All that matters is that the produced-on-demand products are of a high quality and delivered with short leadtimes, so it has no use to outsource production to Asian or North-African countries. We have no stocks. We take measurements in small shop-in-shop locations or at the offices or homes of our customers. We barely need shopspace and have less employees. Above all, we skip all middlemen, because we are directly connected tot the productionplanning systems of our ateliers and the stocksystems of our weavers. Therefore, the price of a Possen-suit is comparable to an off-the-rack suit, whereas we deliver high quality tailormade products. ( ... ) You learn a lot from an own company, for example taking decisions fast, focus in the main issues. Entrepeneurship also can be stressful, I work long hours. Adrenaline is my fuel. Change is the only constant, but that’s the way I like it."
VNO-NCW represents the interests of the Dutch business on an (inter)national level. Also VNO-NCW gives extra services to its members. The members of VNO-NCW represent 90 percent of the employment in the Dutch business sector.
The name VNO-NCW is an abbreviation for the Union of Dutch Enterprises and the Dutch Christian Employer's Union. Since the merger of both unions in 1996, the official name is VNO-NCW.
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