Corporate Citizenship – Going Beyond Expectations

TMS Group is a global sourcing enterprise for apparel and fashion accessories throughout Asia. Since the founding of TMS Group, the company has operated with the expressed and clear understanding that our business success and sustainability are irrevocably linked with giving back to the communities that are home to both our global operations and our employees.

Our operations contribute to community development through job creation, which drives economic growth in both the local communities where our offices are operated and through networks in the regions where our suppliers reside. These regions include China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and span 30 major metropolitan areas. Furthermore, our direct efforts via outreach programs give back to the communities through education and social development by providing opportunities and access to education and the development of youth. Education, combined with social development, offers the best hope and is key to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty that pervades developing nations.

TMS Group recognizes the critical areas of social action in the developing nations where we conduct business. These areas include the survival and healthy development of children coupled with the social and economic well-being of families. Furthermore, nongovernmental organizations have recognized and attempted to implement programs that address both the strong potential benefits and the tradeoffs that these programs may have for children, women, and working families.

With this in mind, TMS Group has partnered with and supported – both through financial and volunteer efforts – the education and child care programs in two of the largest countries where we operate. This is part of giving back to the communities where we operate and is consistent with our inherent responsibilities as a global corporate citizen.

In December 2004, a disastrous tsunami struck every corner of Southeast Asia. The southern coastal city of Chennai, India, suffered from the tsunami devastation. TMS Group operates an office in Chennai and became the sponsor and primary contributor to the rebuilding of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Convent School. The school is located in the Paramankeni Kanchipuram coastal district. Through this funding, coupled with volunteer support, the school was rebuilt, and within five years, the school had grown to a total of 316 students by 2010, nearly a 50 percent growth rate. The school is divided into primary and secondary levels. The 125 primary school students are aged 6–11 years old. The 240 secondary school students are aged 12–16 years old.

The school continues to grow, as families are relocating so that their children are able to enroll. Furthermore, this translates into greater numbers of children in this community who now have access to quality free education that boasts a strong success rate for students matriculating to other institutions of higher learning. While basic education in India is free, much-needed essentials such as school uniforms, additional clothing, and notebooks are not. These costs can have a devastating impact on poor families, thus disenfranchising them from the education opportunities. Children from this rural and impoverished fishing community are being presented with the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and go on to advanced education opportunities and, subsequently, make greater contributions to their future families and society at large.

Many enterprises consider child day care as a perk or an added benefit. However, in developing nations, this may prove to be the one obstacle that prevents women from entering the work force and contributing to the financial strength of their families.

Continuing with this contribution, in 2010 the Indonesia office of TMS Group launched its child day care facility for employees. This modern 700 sq meter, three-story facility is located within walking distance to the TMS Group office; 1,000 sq meters of outdoor enclosed play area is part of the facility, too. This is a 100 percent company-funded child care program provided at no cost to the families of 350 employees. Working parents have an opportunity to take advantage of free child day care services and after-school activities for their older children. This also includes pick-up and drop-off transportation for those children who require it. The safe learning environment, with its close proximity to the TMS office, also affords parent peace of mind. Moreover, working mothers have time to interact with children during lunch or other designated break periods.

These types of contributions to both community and employees are part of TMS Group’s core values and keep with the highest ethical standards of the corporate culture at TMS Group. Through its worldwide operations, TMS Group seeks opportunities to make a positive impact on the local communities and the lives of the residents.