Elevate to acquire & develop Fung Group's WorkerApp

27 Jul '20

3 min read

Pic: Elevate Textiles

Elevate and Fung Group have announced that the companies have signed an agreement to transform and improve factory performance and strengthen the recovery of retail supply chains from COVID-19 with WorkerApp. As part of the agreement, Elevate will acquire and further develop the App, including scaling WorkerApp to additional countries and languages.

Elevate is the industry leader in sustainability and supply chain services. Fung Group is a global leader in supply chain solutions.

Created by the Fung Academy, Fung Group’s knowledge and innovation unit, WorkerApp is a smartphone-based tool that features 3-in-1 functionality to digitise worker communication, insights, learning, and engagement, while strengthening workplace management processes and digital connectivity across the supply chain.

WorkerApp was launched in 2018 as a service to the consumer goods supply chains operated by Fung Group and is currently used by over 50 factories in Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. It is available in seven languages including English and has over 300 pieces of educational content including animations, lessons, presentation and bite-sized learning tips. This includes on COVID-19 hygiene and preparedness, financial literacy and planning and much more. WorkerApp can also push essential communication like a Covid-19 Health Declaration Survey to all workers to screen their health status. Workers who qualify as low risk can return to work. This helps protect worker safety and supports business continuity.

WorkerApp will be integrated into the capacity building and advisory services operated by Elevate, including the EiQ analytics platform and EiQ supplier solutions. Elevate brand and retail clients can use the platform to increase visibility across their supply chains and leverage an effective external and global grievance channel. For suppliers, the WorkerApp can motivate workers and enhance productivity through real-time feedback and increase skills with access to hours of Elevate learning and educational content, according to a press release by Elevate.

Heather Canon, Elevate vice president of capacity building said, “Now more than ever, companies need direct engagement with workers, 365 days a year. With better insights from WorkerApp, factory management can increase employee engagement and morale, and enhance communication between workers and supervisors - all helping boost employee retention and productivity.”

Pamela Mar, executive vice president, knowledge and applications, Fung Academy said, “Mobile-led, bite-sized learning will be a key part of people’s development and organisational adaptation in a digital economy. We are pleased to work with Elevate to connect the supply chain across suppliers, while giving factory workers access to information, tools, and a better quality of life.”

Under the agreement, substantially all the programming, platforms, and networks behind WorkerApp are transferred to Elevate. All factories and distribution centres which currently use the WorkerApp will continue to access it without interruption.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)