Maxim's Takeaways from Performance Days Munich
There's something exciting about bringing the industry together under one roof. From reconnecting with familiar faces to meeting new partners and exchanging ideas, Performance Days Munich provided another opportunity to see where the apparel industry is headed and what's shaping the conversations along the way.
Representing Maxim at this year's event were Tom Wielicki, Global Vice President, Innovation & Sustainability; Mila Negreira, Global Sales Director, Spain; Pia Brueckelmann, Sales Manager, Germany; Gloria Chiang, Director - Global Account Management, Shanghai; and Audas Jakaitis, Business Development Manager, Nordics.
Together, the team spent their time connecting with brands, mills, and industry suppliers, sharing perspectives, exploring emerging opportunities, and taking the pulse of an industry that continues to evolve.
And while there was plenty to discover, one topic kept finding its way into the conversation: Digital Product Passports (DPPs).
The Buzz Around DPP: A Changing Landscape
If there's one thing the apparel industry knows well, it's that change is constant. And when it comes to Digital Product Passports, the landscape is certainly keeping everyone on their toes.
Over the past few years, DPPs have generated significant interest, sparking new technologies, platforms, consultancies, and service providers eager to help brands prepare for upcoming European Union requirements.
But as the Maxim team discovered through conversations at Performance Days, the excitement surrounding DPP has entered a new phase. The conversation is shifting from who can enter the market fastest to who has the experience, capabilities, and staying power to deliver long-term solutions.
Tom Wielicki, Global Vice President, Innovation & Sustainability, captured the shift in a LinkedIn post following the event:
"A year ago, everyone was a DPP company. Now they are going under as fast as they appeared. At the event last week, the real story was not the technology. It was the shakeout."
It's a thought-provoking observation, and one that highlights an important reality: while the industry's commitment to digital transparency continues, the path toward implementation isn't necessarily a straight line.
A Little More Time, But Plenty to Do
One of the biggest developments influencing the DPP conversation is the evolving regulatory timeline.
Under the European Commission's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) Working Plan 2025–2030, the delegated act for textiles is currently anticipated in late 2027. With requirements generally taking effect no earlier than 18 months after the relevant delegated act enters into force, mandatory DPP implementation for textiles is unlikely before mid-2029.
For some brands, that extended timeline may feel like a welcome opportunity to catch their breath.
But here's the catch: more time doesn't necessarily mean less work.
Behind every Digital Product Passport is a complex network of product information, supplier data, material details, and connected systems. Building that foundation takes time, coordination, and the right expertise.
From mapping suppliers across multiple tiers to gathering verified material information and connecting product data, successful implementation is about much more than adding a digital identifier to a garment.
And that's where the real opportunity lies.
Rather than waiting for the final deadline to approach, brands can use this additional time to build smarter, stronger, and more adaptable systems—one step at a time.
Beyond the Technology: The Importance of the Right Partner
Another interesting takeaway from Performance Days – the DPP conversation isn't just about technology anymore. It's also about trust, reliability, and long-term partnerships.
As timelines evolve and regulations continue to take shape, brands are looking for solutions that can grow and adapt alongside them. Choosing a DPP provider is about more than selecting a platform. It's about finding a partner with the expertise, infrastructure, and stability to support the entire journey.
Tom Wielicki, Global Vice President, Innovation & Sustainability raised an important consideration:
"If your DPP plan rests on a vendor whose whole existence depends on the mandate arriving on schedule, your compliance partner can disappear before your deadline does."
It's a powerful reminder that preparation isn't only about meeting future requirements. It's about making thoughtful decisions today that will continue to deliver value tomorrow. And for brands navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, having the right partner can make all the difference.
Where Maxim Comes In
While the DPP timeline continues to evolve, one thing hasn't changed: Maxim's commitment to helping brands prepare for what's next.
In fact, we're continuing to build momentum.
With decades of experience supporting the global apparel industry through labels, packaging, RFID, and digital identity solutions, Maxim brings together the physical and digital capabilities needed to help brands navigate an increasingly connected supply chain.
In 2025 alone, Maxim has converted nearly 2 billion RFID labels for the apparel industry—a reflection of the scale, experience, and infrastructure behind our solutions.
And with more than 3,000 employees across 30 locations in 20 countries, our global footprint allows us to support customers wherever their products are made and sold.
Our approach to DPP is rooted in flexibility and long-term thinking. Rather than building around assumptions or racing toward an uncertain deadline, we're developing solutions designed to evolve as regulations become clearer.
As Tom Wielicki, Global Vice President, Innovation & Sustainability shared:
"We pace the build to the regulation as it actually gets written, not to a press release. Thirty locations and a real core business is what lets you wait out the uncertainty instead of being swamped by it."
From building a reliable data foundation to connecting physical product identifiers with digital information, Maxim is helping brands take practical steps toward DPP readiness without losing sight of their broader business goals.
Because when it comes to innovation, being ready matters just as much as being first.
Great Connections, Valuable Insights & What's Ahead
At its heart, Performance Days Munich was about more than trends, technology, or regulatory timelines. It was about the people, perspectives, and conversations that continue to move our industry forward.
For the Maxim team, the event offered a valuable opportunity to connect with industry partners, exchange ideas, and gain a firsthand look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of apparel. And if the conversations around DPP made one thing clear, it's that the next chapter will be defined not simply by new requirements, but by how thoughtfully brands prepare for them.
As Tom Wielicki, Global Vice President, Innovation & Sustainability put it:
"Watch who is still here in 2027. Not who launched loudest in 2025."
A fitting takeaway from an event full of meaningful conversations and forward-looking ideas.
A big thank-you to everyone who connected with our team at Performance Days Munich! We enjoyed the conversations, the fresh perspectives, and the opportunity to share how Maxim is helping shape a smarter, more connected future for the apparel industry.
Until next time, Munich!
