Patagonia's Factory List

If you visit the Leading the Examined Life section of Patagonia.com, you'll notice we recently published the list of contract factories that cut and sew Patagonia product. This action got me thinking about our mission statement – "Make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis." – for it was the inspiration of other companies that helped Patagonia implement solutions this time.

While there are a number of brands that have published their factory lists, Patagonia took its inspiration from two companies in particular: Nike and Levi’s. It is probably strange to some that Patagonia is taking cues from such large companies. However, both Nike and Levi’s have long standing CSR programs and have been publishing their factory lists for a number of years now. And, well, if they can do it, shouldn’t we?

Publishing a factory list, for those of you who are not aware, is not something that every company does – it is a scary feat! In a competitive market, companies have reservations about telling everyone who their partners are. However, factory list disclosure is an integral step towards changing common practices around social responsibility. As more and more brands begin publishing their contractors we will see significant shifts in how those businesses operate.

What does publishing a factory list mean for Patagonia?

Transparency – with the launch of the Footprint Chronicles and a desire to be more transparent with our supply chain it was a logical step for Patagonia to publish where our products are made. While we are able to highlight a few through the Footprint Chronicles, it is not representative of all the factories that cut and sew Patagonia products. Therefore our factory list includes this information for NGOs, customers and other stakeholders to review.

Collaboration – by publishing our factory list, Patagonia is hoping that other brands who share our factories will work with us to communicate, monitor, and implement solutions for social and environmental responsibility. We want to ease the burden of monitoring, and focus more resources on making the changes that will improve working conditions.

Continuous messaging around social compliance – as more and more brands become vocal about their social responsibility efforts, suppliers around the world will become more and more aware that social responsibility is a part of doing business. Consistent messaging from all brands builds the momentum for social responsibility.

Sustainability in business is a bumpy and complex road, but there are many drivers behind the wheel. As we each navigate a portion of the journey we can help others along the way. So here is to mutual inspiration and the pursuit of solutions for not only the environmental, but the social crisis.

View Patagonia's Factory List (PDF)

Here's a quick snapshot of all the countries on the list:

Comments

[bryantp]

Ah...Nike and Levis. Nike is no role model for me. They have a really bad history of taking advantage of folks in China...and the U.S. Levis closed their jean manufacturing plants in the U.S. Don't buy their stuff anymore either.

Please stop using China as a manufacturing point. There are choices. China is the worst one.

[Thane]

I would be interested in seeing how Patagonia has, or has not, maintained its geopolitical presence re production. For example, Vietnam and Tunisia may be relatively new countries in which Patagonia does business, but what of 5 years ago? (Maybe Patagonia has dialed down its presence in China for Vietnam). What will this map look like 10 years ago? And 5 years from now? Taking cues from Nike and Levis is one thing. Following their leads in sourcing decisions (and the political consequences) is another when leading the examined (global)life pursuit. Patagonia, as always, must plow new directions for others to follow and not be swayed by the Swoosh.

Keep doing what you are doing. Much appreciated.

[AM]

I would think it must be hard to NOT be "swayed by the Swoosh". They were one of the first major companies to take heat for "insensitive" outsourcing and one of the first to pioneer social transparency. See: www.nikeresponsibility.com

The only thing I'm left wondering is, "What comes from where"? It would be great to see a list of product broken down by manufacturing country...

[Kelsey]

Glad to see it.

As someone who has visited garment factories around the world, I know that they aren't all sweatshops as some would lead us to believe. The jobs are important to the people who have them and often much better than the alternative types of employment in their country.

It's easy to paint Nike as the devil - and in some instances they probably are - but unless we give credit to companies that are trying to make a difference in the places they source from, others probably won't follow suit. Often companies only receive negative press. How about a little praise for the good they do or are trying to do?

As for Levi's...

I visited one of the factories they work with in Cambodia and it looked like the garment factories I've visited in the USA. Chances are that if Levi's didn't jump over sea there might not be a Levi's today.

I agree with AM. I would like to know where each of your products comes from while shopping online. Currently they just say "Imported". Some of your customers such as bryantp might want to avoid buying products Made in China for their own reasons. If you listed where each product came from, they would have the ability to make those types of informed decisions.

Keep up the good work.

[Andy]

Great work guys.

I personally love what the Nike's of this world have achieved in China (minus some early mistakes). A frequent traveler to SE Asia, I've seen the region make huge progress in working its way out of poverty over the last 10 years.

For anyone that doubts the benefits that Patagonia and Nike and Levi have helped foster, check out http://gapminder.org/ for some amazing statistics on how millions of lives have improved through global supply chains.

However the next phase is definitely seeking greater transparency. Let everyone make a call on what they support, and give them the information to follow that.

[Pete]

With many brands, there is a distinct slippage in quality when they start sourcing overseas. Patagonia is unusual in that their standards never slipped.
For that reason, I will buy Patagonia gear made almost anywhere, though I prefer not to patronize China, Inc.
So I would agree with AM. If Patagonia is looking for full transparency, why not publish the country of origin for each product in the printed and on-line catalogs?
And going forward, it would be nice to see more "Made in USA" notations in those catalogs. Maybe now that the dollar is so low, it will make sense for Patagonia to handle more production domestically.

[Thomas]

Let me preface my comments by saying I run a domestic sewing facility, and have tremendous respect for Patagonia & their philosophy. Patagonia in China , however, has been a tough one for me to swallow. Simply put, China's environmental & human rights record is terrible. It is safe to say that Patagonia's manufacturing presence in China has raised the standard of living in the communities in which they do business.The same could also be said if Patagonia were to source their production in any impoverished region around the world (Appalachia?). Did they go to China to improve the standard of living there? Are they missionaries, seeking to improve the world by paying fair piece rate wages? No & no, they went there because that is where the cheap needle is. Now the cheap needle is in Vietnam, and that is the new hot spot for sewing, hence Patagonia's increased presence there.

The US's hypocrisy when it comes to China sits underneath the rump of reproach. We wrap our arms around the politically & morally expedient issues, while allowing 'Made in China' to sate our desire for inexpensive merchandise.

Patagonia controls their supply chain better than anyone, and they need sustained profit in order to exist ( read Nau ), but there are other sourcing options other than China that present a better balancing act for a company that espouses walking the cleanest line.

[Scott]

We need to support the countries that use labor laws, such as Cambodia.

I was very surprised to see that Patagonia did not use Cambodian factories.

[Brian]

Let me preface this comment by stating that Patagonia champions environmental activism significantly more than most companies, which should be applauded. It is arguably unfair to criticize a company which holds these values. However, Patagonia not only holds these values but uses them as a marketing tool. In this instance I believe that you should be held to a much higher standard, and open to constructive criticism. Having said that I am a loyal Patagonia customer (I love my micro-puff pullover and merino wool zip-tee!) and will probably continue to be.

Patagonia calls for an increase in domestic environmental and occupational regulations while conducting business in countries that have little to no regulations. This is extremely hypocritical. You may have chosen factories which treat workers fairly, but the bottom line is these choices were made to reduce manufacturing costs and increase Patagonia's bottom line (let's face it wasn't done to lower consumer prices).

I work as an environmental geologist in Cleveland, Ohio an area that has been hit hard from these types of jobs moving overseas. As part of my job I assess former and current industrial/commercial sites for contaminates in the soil or groundwater. When necessary we design remediation systems which treat the affected areas. Frequently (but not always), funding for these projects comes from local, federal, and state governments. The moving of your manufacturing jobs overseas equates to losses of tax revenues for the state, federal and the local governments. If we continue with this trend who then will pay for current environmental problems. Politicians will be forced to make choices such as repairing an aging steel bridge, or continuing to fund Brownfield restoration programs (trust me that won't be a tough decision for them to make).

I can't speak for everyone in all areas of the country but in northeast Ohio, people are not currently focused on environmental issues. People are concerned with job security. Nobody, and that includes the politicians will focus the needed attention on environmental issues until the problems with our economy are solved.

Patagonia needs to do the right thing and start moving manufacturing back home rather then continuing to look for the cheapest labor.

Brian B.

[Kathy]

My husband recently received Patagonia shoes as a gift. Unfortunately, they are made in China. My family is really aware about what we buy and where it is made, and have very strong convictions about not buying things that come from China for a myriad of reasons. However, because the shoes are made by Patagonia, I decided to investigate a bit into whether or not there is a side of manufacturing in China that may be more forgiving. I thought that maybe a more "sustainable-minded" company might have its sustainable practices carried over into Asian countries; that maybe there was more to it than cheap labor. I came to this site hoping to find information about how Patagonia's presence in China is different, as I really like their products. Sadly, I did not find what I was looking for, and the shoes are going back from whence they came. I hope to see some response from Patagonia, either by explanation, or better yet, action.

[Mjcrispies]

Like many on this page, I am a long time customer and have purchased lots of Patagonia clothing; Several R2's, R4's, capilene, etc., etc. I am an avid outdoorsman who constantly has to replace fly-fishing, climbing and mtn biking gear. I also have years of retail experience in the Outdoor Gear Industry. I agree with most of what the company stands for and I truly appreciate Patagonia's efforts to mind their impact on our environment, give generously and produce products that are as good as or superior to most of its competitor's.
Unfortunately, I am not going to be buying any more items from Patagonia until I see more of their products made here. A sad and painful sacrifice for me (and for Patagonia), but I have to vote with my dollars. I just passed up the Riverwalker Vest and the Down Sweater made in China on Patagonia.com. I believe that Filson, Feathered Friends will get my business for now. I am all for helping other countries, but I would like to see more made here, especially in the wake of so many companies that have moved production solely for a greedy bottom line.
I believe Patagonia has the energy and the power to manufacture more of their products here, keeping their environmental and social standards, and continuing to set a good example. Please Patagonia; continue the good things you do by bringing back jobs and solid practices to the U.S.