MODINT initiates close collaboration with eMarketplace FashionUnited

MODINT, Trade organisation for fashion, interior design and textiles, located in Amsterdam and FashionUnited.com, located in Teteringen have initiated a close collaboration to encourage e-business in the fashion industry.

FashionUnited.com is a competition-neutral B2B platform offering electronic services. In 2001, a start was made with the organisation of web shops where retail traders could place 'never out of stock' orders with suppliers via a single log-on system. Most leading suppliers currently have such a web shop. On this European eMarketplace, their authorised customers (currently comprising more than 4,000 retailers from 6 countries) can check the availability of products with their suppliers via a single password and place on line orders. These retailers are registered in collaboration with the database of MODINT Credit & Finance in Veenendaal, the Netherlands.

FashionUnited.com also facilitates the electronic exchange of EDI and other messages between suppliers and customers, such as product information, order messages, invoices and sales information. FashionUnited.com's tools (ediBOX) and network (eGate Service) enable companies to exchange data with their business partners via an easily accessible system and in their own format. German fashion companies are already using this system on a large scale.

Because of the many advantages for its members, trade organisation MODINT will be supporting FashionUnited.com financially and commercially in promoting e-business on this B2B platform among its 800 affiliated companies and in the textiles chain.

According to Han Bekke, managing director of MODINT, this alliance is in line with MODINT's ambition of contributing to the improved performance of the textiles chain. 'At our annual meeting in October 2002 we announced that we would take the necessary steps to achieve this. This is one of those steps. E-business via FashionUnited.com promotes the much needed co-operation between suppliers and customers and may reduce transaction costs', said Bekke. He emphasises that the system also makes EDI accessible for smaller companies.

Steven Witteveen, initiator and director of FashionUnited.com, is pleased about this helping hand from MODINT. 'This alliance sustains our mission to improve co-operation among parties in the sector. That electronic co-operation is absolutely essential for being able to cope with competition from the verticals. The Dutch fashion industry is well behind Germany in this respect. Together with MODINT we are setting out to catch up as quickly as possible', explained Steven Witteveen.

FashionUnited.com is the European transaction centre of the FashionUnited Group, which also includes nationally active fashion platforms such as www.FashionUnited.co.uk . See www.FashionUnited.org for a complete overview of the FashionUnited Group.