Brooks Running has mapped a global supply chain spanning 330 factories across four tiers in 17 countries as part of its work with supply chain traceability platform TrusTrace.
The performance footwear and apparel brand’s network employs more than 48,000 workers. Its mapping programme is designed to extend visibility beyond direct suppliers and support responsible sourcing across the full manufacturing network.
Four tiers of supplier visibility
The network includes 16 Tier 1 facilities, 198 Tier 2 facilities, 56 Tier 3 facilities and 60 Tier 4 facilities. Brooks said the scale and complexity of the operation made reliable visibility into upstream factories difficult.
Brooks selected TrusTrace to provide systematic supply chain mapping and backward traceability. All Tier 1 factories were initially onboarded, while more than 130 Tier 2 and more than 70 Tier 3 factories were invited to participate.
Brooks later expanded supplier engagement through virtual and in-person training in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Sixteen key Tier 1 and Tier 2 footwear suppliers were required to submit upstream supply chain data and substantiate it with supporting documentation.
Disclosure increases across the network
The case study reports that Tier 3 supplier disclosure increased by 460%, while Tier 4 disclosure rose by 62%. It says 94% of suppliers met at least one of Brooks’ data requirements in TrusTrace.
Disclosure and substantiation rates increased by 30% and 21% respectively. Brooks said the resulting data foundation supports its net-zero emissions goal for 2040 and its ongoing responsible sourcing commitments.
“As we make and sell our products around the world, we remain focused on our impact on people and the planet.”
Dan Sheridan, CEO, Brooks Running
The findings are drawn from a TrusTrace customer case study citing the Brooks Running 2024 Running Responsibly Corporate Responsibility Report.
