Venitra
Fabric
Partnership length
2 years
Employees
1000
70% Female
30% Male
Location
32°N/120°E
Last audit
December 2017
How did you come to work with icebreaker?
"Through our connections and reputation we arranged a meeting with icebreaker founder Jeremy Moon. From there we went through a detailed vetting. This included inspections, visits, product development and fabric selections."
What do you enjoy most about your relationship with icebreaker?
"What’s nice about icebreaker is the business that they’re in and the product they make. They think about the world as we live now: the environment, working with natural fibers and renewable resources. We’re very proud to be part of that. That’s the future. We enjoy working with the icebreaker teams. The knowledge-sharing, open discussions, vendor summits, product research and development. All of it shows icebreaker really cares about its supply chain and everyone is important in the team."
What are Venitra's values?
"We have a mission to be the best-quality garment maker in the world. To do that we have to have the best people. One of the things we strive to do is make sure our workers are happy. We don’t want them to leave; we want them to be there year after year. So the factory conditions, pay and social compliance must all be excellent."
"One of the things we strive to do is make sure our workers are happy. We don’t want them to leave; we want them to be there year after year. So the factory conditions, pay and social compliance must all be excellent."
careful workmanship
How do you ensure the icebreaker clothing you make is of the highest product quality?
"It’s an exhaustive process of quality inspection, from yarn all the way to finished product. It’s a very special fabric that must be treated in a very special way. We have quality-control teams right through yarn to finished product. It’s demanding and it’s constant. But it ensures that we deliver the best product on the market."
How do you ensure that Venitra is a custodian of the environment?
"We have taken huge steps forward, as many companies have now, with environmental standards. We work with a local recycling company to have any waste wool recycled into carpets, clothing, hosiery, gloves and baize. Our water is cleaned and recycled. We are constantly looking for ways to further reduce waste and our environmental footprint. Going forward we are working to introduce solar power and the bluesign® system for a sustainable textile production."
What does nature mean to you?
"We all live an outdoor, active lifestyle and enjoy the beauty of nature that comes with that. Having been an active person my whole life, I look at nature for inspiration. We must protect it."
What does transparency and traceability mean to you?
"Transparency is critical to the way we work. We are very proud to show the world how we make our products. We open ourselves up to our customers and ask: ‘How can we be better?'"
John Ridgley, CEO, Venitra
sewing worker,
5 years at Venitra
and careful workmanship
7 years' service
Sustainability isn’t just a feature of our products, it’s in the values and design of our business.
Read our transparency report
