Case: VF Brands: Global Supply Chain Strategy Questions:

1) How has VF Brands' operations strategy evolved over the last two decades? How well aligned have their operations and business strategies been?

2) How would you characterize VF's various products/brands in terms of critical competitive priorities? What are the implications for their operations strategy? 3) What is your evaluation of the "Third Way" sourcing strategy proposed in the case? Is it the "best of both worlds" or the "worst of both worlds"? For which kinds of products/brands would you pursue the "Third Way"? For which types would you pursue traditional sourcing and internal manufacturing? Why?

4) What are the implications of the statement made by the head of operations that "Today, apparel is produced just about everywhere on Earth and we have basically run out of new 'low cost' places to source production - until, of course, penguins learn how to sew. We have to find cost savings by how we manage our supply chain."