MONTREAL, June 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) ("Gildan" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the publication of its 20^th Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, marking a significant milestone in the Company's long history of public ESG disclosures. The 2023 report highlights Gildan's continued progress against key targets, two years into the implementation of its Next Generation ESG strategy and 2030 targets.

"ESG has been integral to how we operate for many years and is one of the three core pillars of the Gildan Sustainable Growth (GSG) strategy, reflecting our commitment to creating enduring value for all stakeholders," said Glenn Chamandy, President and CEO of Gildan. "As our Company celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year, as well as two decades of ESG reporting, I am proud of our progress in the area of sustainability and of this report, which highlights our dedication to ESG principles. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to make apparel with respect."

Gildan's ESG journey began in the early 2000s, and since then, the Company has achieved many ESG reporting milestones, including:

• The publication of its first Corporate Citizenship Report in 2004;
• The accreditation of its social compliance program by the Fair Labor Association (FLA) in 2007;
• Aligning to sustainability reporting using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework starting in 2008;
• Conducting its first materiality assessment in 2014;
• Aligning commitments with the UN Sustainability Development Goals in 2017;
• Disclosing ESG data according to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards since 2021;
• The publication of its first stand-alone Climate Change Disclosure Report in alignment with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2022.
  

Read the full 2023 ESG Report here.

About Gildan

Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Company's product offering includes activewear, underwear and socks, sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms and to global lifestyle brand companies. The Company markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a strong portfolio of Company-owned brands including Gildan, American Apparel, Comfort Colors, GOLDTOE, and Peds.

Gildan owns and operates vertically integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Bangladesh. Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour, environmental, and governance practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in the Company's long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its ESG practices and initiatives can be found at .