ETHICAL MANUFACTURING

The apparel supply chain is a long and complex one.

The main component – the fabric – starts at the cotton field, or the merino sheep, or the lab. From there it takes a long journey through the stages of yarn spinning, knitting or weaving, dyeing and several sub-processes; before it can be cut, sewn, & trimmed; then final quality control and packing.

While parts of this journey are highly automated, others – particularly the final cut / make / trim (CMT) – are not; with the majority of garment sewing across the globe happening at the hands of skilled workers.

 

To manage this complexity as ethically and transparently as possible, we maintain a small, tight-knit supply chain, with partner factories in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China.  We aim to build long-term, ongoing relationships with these suppliers and work with them with an eye for their interests, and the interests of their people, as well as our own.

 

Our manufacturing Code of Conduct sets out the minimum requirements our suppliers must commit to. This ensures workers are protected and treated with dignity and fairness. We also expect suppliers to participate in assessments and audits by professional, independent audit or verification firms.  We recognize several main audit methodologies including FLAWRAPSMETA/SedexAmfori BSCI, and encourage suppliers to proactively maintain certification.

We are always looking to improve, and we encourage suppliers to go above and beyond these standards.