Five Tips for Sourcing Ethical Manufacturers
How do you find ethical manufacturers? This is the number one question I’m asked by clients! I wish there was a super easy trick to share with you, but the reality is, it takes time, persistence and clarity. So to get you started, here are my top five tips when sourcing suppliers for your brand.
1. Get clear on what you are looking for.
This sounds simple but I’ve seen it time and time again where people are searching for ethical suppliers without really knowing what they’re looking for. Are you looking for a manufacturer who specialises in wovens? Knit? Athleisure? Take the time to write down what is required for your product and get specific with your search. It will save you countless wasted hours looking at suppliers that don’t meet your needs!
2. Don’t start too early, don’t leave it too late (annoying, I know!)
Sourcing takes times so you need to give yourself a good amount of time to search before you want to be taking your product into sampling. BUT, what I advise against is looking before you have clarity on your product designs. Without knowing what you’re truly looking for, it’s difficult to hold progressive conversations with suppliers. They will want to know your product details and without them, they might feel like their time is wasted. It's good to do some broad research before your designs are ready, once you have an idea of your products, start chatting with suppliers.
3. Pick up the phone
It can be tempting to rely on emails, sending follow up after follow up, but often you can create much stronger relationships with suppliers if you pick up the phone and give someone a call. Building that human connection from the offset can lead to a much quicker response as well as creating positive relationships.
4. Ask the right questions
When it comes to ethics in manufacturing, it can be complex. To get started, research certifications and what standards they meet. Explore what you are looking for with a manufacturer in terms of ethics and open the conversation about ethics from the beginning. I know this might feel uncomfortable but it’s so important to put this aside and do this work.
5. Know your budget
Manufacturing costs can run high if you’re not keeping on top of numbers. Take the time to know your budget and consider all the costs involved, materials, shipping, sampling rounds, production, import fees (in some cases). It adds up. So keep on top of the numbers. We want to pay fairly for products manufactured, so if you’re staying in control of the numbers, you can ensure you do so.
These tips apply to all product areas, I’ve worked in fashion, jewellery, gifting and homeware and the process remains the same. It can feel scary when you’re deciding on which manufacturer to invest in, so my final tip is to make sure you choose someone who is open and transparent with you. Our suppliers are an extension of our business, so treat them that way.
If you need help with your own ethical manufacturing, drop me a message and we can chat.