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Gildan Releases 2014 Update of Corporate Social Responsibility Website

Gildan Releases 2014 Update of Corporate Social Responsibility Website

Published 07-29-15

Submitted by Gildan

(Marketwired) - Gildan Activewear Inc. (TSX: GIL)(NYSE: GIL) today announced that it has released the 2014 update of the Company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) website, genuinegildan.com, following the GRI-G4 guidelines. Included in the update are the Company's CSR achievements for 2014 and our progress for each one of our targets.

Throughout the year, the Company has continued to develop and implement industry-leading practices with respect to working conditions, environmental footprint, community support, and responsibly-made product offerings. "Gildan's CSR programs and initiatives are central to the Company's overall business strategy," said Glenn Chamandy, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain committed to investing in our vertical integration and the implementation of best-in-class practices across the whole organization. Our growth and continued success rely upon driving continuous improvements in our operations and empowering our employees."

Employees

Gildan aims to maintain ethical, safe and stimulating working conditions for all of its over 42,000 employees. Globally, the Company created over 8,000 jobs in 2014 to support its growth strategy, while it offered close to 1 million man-hours of training to its employees. Gildan's fully equipped medical clinics provided more than 87,000 instances of medical attention free of charge to employees within its manufacturing facilities. In 2014, a total of 244 internal and external audits were performed at the Company's owned facilities and at third-party contractor facilities, in support of Gildan's commitment to the highest standards of labour practices and working conditions. As part of the continuous improvement of the Company's social compliance program and with the objective of driving best practices in the industry, Gildan also began the process of auditing key raw material suppliers.

Environment

As one of the world's largest manufacturers of basic apparel, Gildan upholds a strong sense of environmental responsibility. The Company is committed to developing innovative environmental solutions with the expressed objective to reduce our environmental footprint. In 2014, 53% of Gildan's total energy was powered by renewable sources and the Company repurposed or recycled more than 90% of the waste from its operations. Gildan has surpassed, ahead of schedule, some of the environmental targets it had set for 2015. For example the Company established a 20% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity reduction target by 2015, using 2010 as a base year. In 2014 Gildan had already achieved a 45% reduction in GHG emissions intensity.

Community

Gildan continued to play an active role in the community through its contributions and involvement, investing in educational activities and infrastructure, with a focus on the regions in which it operates. For example, the Company invested in the EDUCANDO program in the Dominican Republic, which supported elementary school activities to recognize students' academic excellence and also made a significant investment for renovations at two schools in Choloma, Honduras to provide improved environments for students.

Products

In 2014, we completed our Company-wide life cycle assessment andconducted product life cycle assessments for 24 products. The assessments were completed taking into consideration three years of data, allowing for better comparison and benchmarking. We are pleased to report that over the three-year assessment period, the manufacturing phase of the life cycle decreased its footprint for the climate change and resources indicators due primarily to the implementation of biomass steam generation at the Rio Nance complex facilities.

GRI-G4

For social and environmental responsibility professionals, the information in this website has been structured in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Guidelines - "Comprehensive". Gildan has presented its reporting for 2014 to the GRI Materiality Disclosures Service, and received the confirmation that, at the time of publication of the G4 Guidelines-based report, General Standard Disclosure G4-17 to G4-27 were correctly located in both the Content Index and in the text of the final report.

About Gildan

Gildan is a leading supplier of quality branded basic family apparel, including T-shirts, fleece, sport shirts, underwear, socks, hosiery, and shapewear. The Company sells its products under a diversified portfolio of company-owned brands, including the Gildan(R), Gold Toe(R), Anvil(R) and Comfort Colors(R) brands and brand extensions, as well as the Secret(R), Silks(R) and Therapy Plus(TM) brands. The Company also has the U.S. sock license for Under Armour(R), and licenses for the Mossy Oak(R) and New Balance(R) brands. The Company distributes its products in printwear markets in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The Company also markets its products to a broad spectrum of retailers primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also manufactures for select leading global athletic and lifestyle consumer brands.

Gildan owns and operates vertically-integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean Basin and the United States, and are strategically positioned to efficiently service the quick replenishment needs of its customers in the printwear and retail markets. Gildan has over 42,000 employees worldwide and is committed to industry-leading labour and environmental practices at all of its facilities. More information about the Company and its corporate citizenship practices and initiatives can be found at its corporate websites www.gildan.com and www.genuinegildan.com, respectively.

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Gildan

Gildan

Gildan is a leading apparel manufacturing company, with a strong portfolio of brands, including Gildan®, American Apparel®, Comfort Colors®, GOLDTOE®, and Peds®. With over three decades of developing global manufacturing expertise, Gildan is one of the world’s most efficient, ethical, and sustainable apparel manufacturers. Founded in Canada, Gildan operates out of roughly 30 locations in ten countries worldwide and sells its products in 60+ markets globally. Together with its 50,000 employees, Gildan operates with a proven commitment to industry-leading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in the Company's long-term business strategy. More about the Company on gildancorp.com.

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