3 minute read
Suppliers
from Tomorrow matters
by Kirsten
WE STAY TRUE TO OUR VALUES
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Blåkläder’s size and scope are not just about numbers. We wouldn’t have lasted this long without something extra that pushed us on. You can see this in our awareness of the outside world, our partners and co-workers who all share our vision. We stay true to our values to improve conditions for everyone involved.
WE KNOW OUR SUPPLY CHAIN WELL AND KEEP THE NUMBER OF SUPPLIER CONTACTS TO A MINIMUM
In the same spirit as we do everything else - all the way - we work in close relationships with our partners and suppliers to reduce our global footprint, use more sustainable energy and be more efficient with resources. With only close and long-term supplier relations, we can ensure our supply chain is as open and transparent as possible. We’re not just ticking boxes; we’re trying to think outside the box.
SUPPLIERS
At Blåkläder we rely a huge amount on our suppliers and take pride in the long-term relationships with many of these partners. The sewing industries together with producers of gloves, shoes, textiles and accessories form the supplier base of Blåkläder. Many of our contacts go back over 15 years and the oldest business cooperation began over 30 years ago. We believe this longevity creates the foundation for a sustainable business. Close to 80 % of all Blåkläder garments are produced in factories owned by the same family enterprise as Blåkläder. In our daily business the cooperation with the sewing production is integrated in our internal purchasing and planning process. These factories are the foundation and basis of what we refer to as the Blåkläder sustainable production concept*. Not only does this mean that we have full access and control of the most critical process step, from a social sustainability point of view, this is also what enables us to achieve even further control and transparency in supply chain. With the sewing process within our own ranks, we can put all our focus and attention on Tier 2 and beyond. This is the foundation for our Environmental and Social Governance (ESG), within our internal operations and upstream supply chain.
OUR OWNERSHIP IN SUPPLY CHAIN
Prior the production of a garment, all materials and components must be purchased. At Blåkläder we source every ingoing part in our garments ourselves and all materials and component are coordinated to be used in multiple models in our collection. This way we are not only limiting the total amount of raw materials but even more importantly; we are keeping the number of supplier contacts to a minimum. This enables us to maintain a close supply chain with wellknown supplier contacts. We dare to say that the key to truly profound sustainability in a supply chain is to have close relationships and access to all suppliers. A limited number of carefully selected suppliers is the foundation for a high level of transparency in a supply chain. The total Blåkläder supplier base is less than 100 partners. In our industry, it is not uncommon for companies to have 5-10 times as many. Worker rights, health and safety, environmental impact, energy efficiency and the consumption of natural resources are all areas included in the scope of the sustainability concept** for our supplier base.
** see “Ethical trade” * see “Our production Blåkläder Sustainable Production Concept“
10 FACTORIES
COMPETITOR X / 10 UNITS 100 TEXTILE & ACCESSORY SUPPLIERS
THE VISUAL EFFECT OF WORKING WITH FEW VS. MANY FACTORIES
Fewer contacts down the supply chain equals transparency and control.
1000 TIER 3 SUPPLIERS
