Course:HIST106/Vancouver Canucks Jersey

Material Culture The Jersey

A team’s jersey represents the identity of who they are and where they come from. In the case of the Vancouver Canucks, their current jersey, which was designed by Brent Lynch in the late 1990's isa stylized killer whale, as per Canucks.com. Although the colors have been changed over the past few years, this jersey is a representation of the city of Vancouver. This jersey, which may not have much significance in places such as Europe or Australia, is a strong part of the Vancouver culture, in fact, according to Canucks.com, the emblem is a symbol of where we are from.

Cultural Meanings.

Vancouver is a city that is hockey mad and in our culture, the Vancouver Canucks jersey represents a sense of unity among citizens of the city. Essentially, the Vancouver Canucks jersey represents a sense of nationalism, or for Vancouver citizens, Vancouverism. To many people of Vancouver, the meanings attached to sporting the jersey are very important. For example, by wearing the jersey you are telling others that you are proud to be a Canucks fan. Also, because of the importance that Vancouver has placed upon the Canucks, they jersey has evolved to be a representation as the city in general. When someone see’s that jersey, they think of Vancouver. Even recently, in concerts and performances around Vancouver, artists wear the Blue, White, and Green jersey to show their appreciation to the city, they pick the Canucks jersey because they know it is a representation of the Vancouver culture.

In other cultures, the Canucks jersey may be nothing more than sports apparel, but in Vancouver it means much much more. The jersey is a representation of the city and its residents. In our culture, the Vancouver Canucks jersey symbolizes unity, a sense of Vancouverism.

Consumerism

One major aspect of the Canucks jersey in our culture is money, in Vancouver the Canucks and their merchandise has created its own market that is not identical anywhere else in the world. This object, along with other shirts, flags, beer mugs and hats that all sport the Vancouver Canucks logo has created a very large market for hockey merchandise throughout Vancouver. This market promotes our hockey culture and our consumeristic lifestyle, which is a norm in Vancouver. Our Team Lastly, one final cultural meaning attached to this object is the connection it gives fans to their beloved Canucks. The Canucks, who played their first game in the NHL in 1970 according to Canucks.com, have always been a top form of entertainment throughout its history. However, one major reason why the jersey has so much cultural significance behind it is the environment the team has created. The Canucks, although never winning the top prize, a Stanley cup, have gained popularity over the years and are now one of Vancouver’s main attractions. The jersey essentially creates a connection between the fans and the team, which is the greatest cultural meaning behind this object. Owning in a Canucks jersey in Vancouver holds a lot more meaning then owning one in France. In Vancouver, the jersey is a representation of the team, of our city, and of our culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQmcn1YoXuA

Overview The majority of Reebok clothing is made and manufactured in Asia, primarily china. 52% of the products sold in the United States were manufactured in Asia. There are over 45 countries that produce Reebok apparel and over 14 countries that produce Reebok footwear.

The Jersey There are two different authentic Vancouver Canucks Jersey’s sold through the Vancouver organization. The first jersey is a Reebok Premier Jersey which retails for $150 dollars. The second jersey is a Reebok EDGE jersey which retails for over $350 dollars. Aside from the obvious jersey quality, there is one main difference when comparing these two products; the Premier jersey is made in Indonesia and then shipped to Toronto for the stitching of names and numbers, while the Reebok EDGE jersey is made and stitched in Toronto, Canada.

Jersey Pathway Reebok Premier Jersey All of the Premier jerseys manufactured by Reebok for the NHL are made in Indonesia. From Indonesia the Jerseys are shipped in containers to Toronto to get stitched by a knitting company. From Toronto, the Canucks jersey can travel anywhere from Newfoundland to Victoria and you may also find the jerseys hiding behind the racks of any American sports store. For simplicity reasons I have determined that the Official Canucks Store, in Vancouver, will be the objects final destination.

From Indonesia, the jersey travels across Pacific Ocean in a large shipping vessel to Toronto, Canada. The jerseys are than packed and shipped via semi-truck to Vancouver, British Columbia. In total, the jerseys travel a startling 13230 kilometers to get to the Official Vancouver Canucks Store. This does not include the buyer’s transportation kilometres going to and from the store.

Reebok EDGE Replica Jersey All of the Reebok EDGE jerseys are manufactured in Toronto, Ontario. Not only are the jerseys produced there, but they are also stitched and crested in Toronto. From Toronto they can be shipped anywhere across Canada. For simplicity reasons I have determined that the Official Canucks Store, in Vancouver, will be the objects final destination. From the warehouse, the boxes full of jerseys will travel via semi-truck to Vancouver, a total of 3400 kilometres. This does not include the buyers transportation kilometres going to and from the store.

Garbage Due to the recent success of the Vancouver Canucks, you normally would not find a Canucks jersey in the garbage. One great thing about this object is its hand me down/ collector appeal. Whether it is the dated Canuck skate with the yellow highlights or the vintage green and blue stick, someone is likely eager pay a buck or two for the jersey. Selling jerseys online or at value village is not uncommon. If you look at the reuse and desire for this object, you may see it as somewhat sustainable.

Energy History of a Canucks Jersey: Production and Transportation

Production The Manufacturing Process of Polyester Polyester is manufactured in a few different methods. The four different forms are filament, staple, tow, and fiberfill. In staple form, which is how Canucks Jerseys are made, filaments are cut to short, predetermined pieces, making polyester easier to blend with other fabrics; Canucks Jerseys are made of polyester and mesh together. This is a lengthy process and takes heavy duty machines and lots of energy.

Drawing tow: Newly-formed tow is quickly cooled in cans that gather the thick fibers. Several lengths of tow are gathered and then drawn on heated rollers to three or four times their original length.

Crimping: The tow is then fed into compression boxes, which force the fibers to fold like an accordion, at a rate of 9-15 crimps per inch (3-6 per cm). This process helps the fiber hold together during the later manufacturing stages.

Setting: After the tow is crimped, it is heated at 212-302 degrees F to completely dry the fibers and set the crimp.

Cutting: Following heat setting, tow is cut into shorter lengths.

Here is a video from a foreign polyester factory, giving a good visual of the heavy machinery involved in the process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52XWqJHDP4c&feature=related   

Transportation

Cancucks Jerseys are made in Indonesia, shipped to US warehouses, and then delivered to Canada by Purolator Ground Service. The distance the materials travel to be produced, packaged, and delivered to customers through online shopping or retail stores is great, resulting in much fuel and energy usage in the process. Reebok’s Canucks Jerseys start their journey in Indonesia, where they are made with sewing machines by workers with very low wages.

There is little machine energy put into the fabrication of clothing in Indonesian clothing factories, girls use sewing machines and their own energy for hours at a time, being paid almost nothing. This exploitation of workers supported by shoe and sportswear companies like Reebok enable little of their own energy and money to go into things like sports jerseys, but at the expense of over-used human energy.

Jerseys are shipped from factories Indonesia to the warehouses in the US using huge amounts of energy in their transportation. Next, the Purolator Ground Service delivers them from the US warehouses to Canada, using a number of different transportation methods. When Canadians order Jerseys online, their orders can be expected to arrive from the US in 3-8 business days.

There are several modes of service available with PUROfreight including Air freight (ideal for high value/time-sensitive shipments), ground service (for businesses with heavyweight shipments), freight water transport, and rail shipping. The canucks jerseys are probably delivered to Canada by ground service, which caters to businesses with larger shipments.

Cloting Production in Indonesia

For foreign companies such as Reebok, Adidas, and Nike, Indonesia's low cost labor provides them with a convenient supply of cheap items. The companies stay at a safe distance, not owning the factories but placing orders as when they need the clothes.

The labels on Reebok sports clothing say they’re made in Indonesia. Most well-known United States or European brand names are made from independent factories somewhere in Asia. This globalization of manufacturing uses low paid laborers, often young girls, to supply the energy it takes to provide these products, resulting in huge economic growth in South-east Asia and big profits for Western companies exploiting the cheap labor. Most workers are overworked and underpaid.

Sustainability Reebok’s business partners must make advanced improvement in sustainability in their own operations. They also require the same of their partners, suppliers and subcontractors. Reebok is looking to improve in: integrating principles of sustainabilityinto business decisions; responsible use of natural resources; adoption of cleaner production and pollution prevention measures; and designing and developing products, materials and technologies according to the principles of sustainability (Reebok International LTD, 2011).

Reebok uses sustainable practices by using environmentally sounds products during production. Many of their products use recycled materials and Reebok prides themselves on having a close relationship with local waste management companies. Reebok hope to lower its energy use by 20% and use green sources of energy to lower their emissions by a further 10% . In the next 5 years the company hope to lower transportation energy, use energy sources with lower carbon emissions and lower energy consumption and intensity (Reebok International LTD, 2011).

http://corporate.reebok.com/en/corporate_citizenship/reebok_4_real/default.asp