Sourcing close to home is the way to go

When we look at garments we will find that a big part of them carry a ‘made in China’ label inside. Our first instinct may be to think it’s a low quality piece, but have you ever stood still about how much this piece traveled before arriving at your hands? The fashion industry impacts the environment in different ways, and where you produce can make a tremendous impact. Deciding if you are going to transport the garments through air, sea or land already determines a significant part of the CO2 emissions in your supply chain. One easy alternative that many brands are already shifting towards is local production.

Today we are talking about how local production can positively impact your business, especially if you are new to the industry. Sourcing close to home can be highly beneficial, and here is why.

Shorter distances means less CO2 emissions

This sounds logical, but sometimes we don’t realize how much garments have to travel to arrive at the hands of a customer. When a garment is produced in a near country or even in the same country, we narrow the gaps in the supply chain and save tons of CO2 emissions.

Boosting your local economy

They say ‘Put your money where your mouth is’ and what better way to support the EU than producing locally.

If local production grows, we are also directly creating new jobs, sources of income and economic development, and in the long run this means that we create more demand for new businesses and can invest in new technologies. We can enhance the quality of production and stand for exceptional products that will erase all question marks; why wouldn’t you want to produce locally?

Better communication with manufacturers

It is known that when you are reaching out to an overseas manufacturer, communication can be a huge issue. There are usually big cultural differences when it comes to work ethics, and this can make manufacturing a challenge.

When producing locally the chances that there are language barriers are lower, plus you will be both available in the same or similar time-zone, which makes it easier to call or mail.

Ensure better working conditions

We know that this is not 100% guaranteed, but as the European Union works with stricter law and regulations you can expect this to be in order. Ask your manufacturers to deliver or fill in a code of conduct to ensure ethical work practices. On the other hand if you don’t trust the standards you can easily visit the manufacturers and have a look for yourself, we recommend you to always double check all ethical aspects.

Easier control of production

When, as a brand, you are located near to the manufacturer it is easier to do regular check ups, and see how your production is doing. This will at the end result in better quality garments, and in the long run a better understanding from the manufacturer side of what you want and expect. On top of that you will build a trusting relationship and loyal partnership, and not to forget that being transparent to your customers about where you produce can get you a long way.

Quicker delivery

As distances shorten the time of transportation also reduces and deliveries will be quicker. When you have been in the industry for some time, you will know that deliveries can be a real headache. When producing locally you can forget about high taxes from importation and custom laws. Your orders will most likely be sent through one direct courier and will be easier to track.

Transitioning to a more sustainable and local way of producing can be challenging when you’ve always done the contrary, but Manufy shows you how easy and efficient the transition can be. The future of the industry is changing, so don’t miss out and start producing locally today!

Are you already producing locally in Europe and want to share your story? That’s awesome! Send us an email to melisa@manufy.com and tell us your unique story, and you might be featured in our next interview and newsletter.