Good news on the sustainability front - quality, domesticity, and long-term cooperation

Although no single clothing company can be completely responsible, we at North Outdoor believe that we all have a responsibility and duty to develop our operations, make better choices, and strive towards a more sustainable future. The last few years have been significant steps for us on the path of responsibility, from the establishment of a domestic knitting factory to achievements we have made in collaboration with our partner factories in China. Every step, whether it is about improving production methods or reducing emissions, strengthens our mission to provide our customers with products we can truly be proud of. Read more about our journey towards responsibility and get a glimpse into the production of merino garments from the perspective of both our own knitting factory and our factories in China!

Transparency in the supply chain, quality products, and responsible manufacturing

Responsible and high-quality production is of utmost importance to North Outdoor, which is why we have invested in it from the very beginning and have continuously sought to develop our operations. We have always been precise about the transparency of our production locations, and we want our customers to know where and how our products are made. All of our knitted products are made from start to finish in our own knitting factory in Oulu. Our other products are manufactured in China by our long-term partners. We visit the factories we work with regularly, and additionally, our local worker is in close contact with the factories in China, which strengthens our collaboration and streamlines our communication.

 

A significant step towards more responsible production: Our main manufacturer in China achieved a rare B level in the amfori BSCI audit

We are pleased that our long-term and close cooperation has yielded results: our main manufacturer of merino wool products in China improved from C level to B level in the amfori BSCI audit conducted in October 2024. This achievement is not just a technical advancement, but a meaningful outcome of our long-term collaboration, where responsible practices and reducing environmental impacts are at the core.

Amfori BSCI is an international program that helps companies improve the sustainability of their supply chains by monitoring and assessing the working conditions of manufacturers, environmental impacts, and ethical practices. North Outdoor has been a member of amfori BSCI since 2019 and aims to influence the working conditions and responsible practices of its factories located in China, merino wool and packaging factories, through the program.

The B level achieved by our manufacturer is rare among Chinese manufacturers: only 7.5% of Chinese manufacturers assessed in the amfori BSCI program reached this level in the past year. This high rating reflects the development of our manufacturer's sustainability and ethics standards, which directly translates into our products. The result is a testament to how our collaboration improves the sustainability of the entire supply chain and adds value to our customers as well.

Towards more sustainable production with solar power: The new power plant covers 90% of the factory's annual energy needs

The expansion of our sustainability efforts did not stop there. In July 2024, our manufacturer also put into operation a solar power plant built on the factory roof, which produces 90% of the factory's annual electricity consumption. This renewable energy is sufficient to cover almost all of the production and facility cooling energy needs, significantly reducing the emissions resulting from the factory's energy consumption. This investment is a concrete step towards a smaller carbon footprint and demonstrates our manufacturer's commitment to long-term sustainable solutions.

Our own knitting mill and logistics center in Oulu – for domestic quality and expertise

To ensure sustainability and quality, we made a significant investment in Finnish knitwear production in 2021. We built our own state-of-the-art knitting mill in Oulu, which enables the production of our merino wool garments from start to finish in Finland. The modern knitting machines in the mill are exceptional by Finnish standards. The new knitting machines allow for 3D printing of knits, where the knits are knitted directly into shape. This reduces the amount of waste and scraps typical in the clothing industry. Our own knitting mill is a dream come true for us, and we are proud to manufacture world-class merino wool garments in our homeland.

All our knitwear is made in Finland and has been awarded the Key Flag Symbol. Our knitting factory is located in Oulu, alongside our warehouse and logistics center. The modern machines in our knitting factory and our top textile industry experts ensure the high quality of our products. We offer a 100-day satisfaction guarantee on all our knitwear made in Oulu. This exceptional commitment to quality and domestic expertise reinforces our dedication to valuing Finnish work and skills.

Together towards a more sustainable future: Every responsible choice brings us closer to our goal

Developing sustainability is an ongoing effort, where every step forward takes us towards a more sustainable future. We want to celebrate every milestone achieved, but at the same time, we are committed to developing cooperation to promote even more responsible practices. It is wonderful to see how our investment in sustainability yields results that are meaningful to both us and our customers. We thank our customers for their trust and for choosing to be a part of building responsible fashion – together we can make better choices and promote a sustainable future.