Today we are going to open a big can of worms. We are going to explain how and where we manufacture our products.

We want to make it clear that behind the concept of Minimalism and behind the manufacturing of all our products there is a clear theory: Use only what is useful for everyday life, prioritizing quality, responsible consumption, sustainable manufacturing and product durability.

Every day we are becoming more aware of the importance of sustainable production, conscious of the environment and the development of the populations responsible for manufacturing the products.

In fact, the so-called "fast fashion" is not really our thing, we understand it but we position ourselves in another terminology such as "slow fashion" or "basic fashion" . We will apply this terminology to all the products that we launch under the brand.

With that explained, let's talk about manufacturing:

Where do we manufacture?

Our backpacks (we will be renewing the black version in a few days) and minimalist wallets are made in China, in the cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou. From the very beginning we have been manufacturing outside of Spain. In various talks or events we are always asked the same question: why in China and not in Spain?

The answer is not what everyone expects, it is not only because of costs, it is because in Spain we have not found anyone who is capable of making wallets and backpacks with the same or better quality than the ones we have right now . In terms of machinery, manufacturing times and experience in the manufacture of these products, they have a bit of an advantage over us, hence our decision to continue manufacturing in these places.

Obviously, we pass all the manufacturing controls required to make our products in a sustainable way . We have a representative of the brand who is in charge of analyzing how the manufacturing is done to guarantee that it meets all the requirements that we demand of them.

T-shirts and future products . In this case we opted for Bangladesh, in the city of Dhaka. We have previously manufactured in Spain and Portugal but the final decision was Bangladesh.

Our production is based on the social inclusion of women, the development of knowledge and skills of the local population, development and manufacturing in an environmentally friendly manner without using or applying chemicals , and complying with GOTS certifications throughout our production process. Here we have several partners who ensure that our products pass more controls. We have just started manufacturing there and we want the relationship to continue in the long term with new products.

Manufacturing in China or Bangladesh is not bad . The process is as follows: the product is made (passing the relevant controls required by us), we carry out the import, we pay the necessary amount at customs and to the tax agency (on average 21%) and we declare our sales in Spain .

There is one thing that we find very curious: many people question where brands manufacture their products and not where they declare their sales. We have asked this question at talks and events and almost no one cares. Where income is declared is equally, or more important than where products are produced. Have you ever wondered where they declare the purchases you make on Amazon?

We declare everything in Spain even if we work remotely , we believe it is fair and necessary.

At Minimalism we firmly believe that things can be done well, at a fair price and in a sustainable way (the latest change, for example, is to send all orders without plastic). We want to continue growing, with clear values ​​and contributing to sustainable development in the manufacturing of our products. We will continue working on things we believe in. Will you join us?

If you have any questions, you can write to us at hola@minimalism.es, share it with a friend or sign up for the newsletter. Interesting things are coming, we'll let you know.

May 09, 2019

Comments

Guillermo said:

¡Hola Minimalism!
Mi pregunta está relacionada con el primer contacto con las fábricas de China o Indonesia.
Desde que diseñais el producto, hasta que firmais el contrato de producción, ¿Cuáles son los pasos que habeis seguido?

Es decir, entiendo que no debe ser nada fácil esa labor de research de provedores chinos. Y luego, ¿cual es el acercamiento? ¿Habeis tenido que ir hasta Shanghai por ejemplo, a aseguraros que el encargo va como es debido? ¿O existen profesionales chinos que hacen de intermediarios y aseguran la calidad de la producción? En ese caso ¿cómo habeis contactado con ellos?

Es un tema que me llama bastante la atención, porque siempre lo he considerado uno de los principales escollos del e-commerce.

Muchas gracias y enhorabuena, me encanta el blog!

Minimalism said:

Hola Florencia. Nos alegra que te preocupes por este tema.
La verdad es que es más fácil de lo que parece. Te explico.
Hemos llegado a un acuerdo con la fábrica dónde producen marcas como Standley and Stella que cumplen con todos los requisitos necesarios para producir nuestras prendas. Nosotros seguimos su mismo criterio y tenemos los mismos intermediarios, así nos aseguramos que la producción es sostenible y responsable. Tienes toda la información detallada, incluyendo su social report en la web de standley and stella. Un saludo y gracias!

Florencia said:

Hola! Quisiera saber mas detalles sobre este tema, por ejemplo cuanto es el salario minimo de las personas que trabajan en la fabricacion de las telas y productos? Como se aseguran que tienen un trato justo? Donde se podria ver mas detalles de esto? Por ejemplo las industrias de fabricación que utilizan, de donde salen las materias primas, de donde sale el algodon que utilizan, etc.
Me gustaria conocer mas sobre estos temas. Muchas gracias!

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