We believe sustainability shouldn’t cost the Earth.
This is the self indulgent bit!
Why do we believe there is a place for us in the world?
The Good Factory exists to be of service to those in the apparel industry. Helping individuals, start ups and small businesses make a larger impact through their product creation and supply chains.
It was started in 2019 by Samantha Taylor who, as a freelance product developer with more than 20 years experience, realised how difficult her clients found accessing reliable suppliers. Instead they were going through multiple suppliers to produce ranges that didn't look like the design pack, didn’t fit well, expensive, and all made of virgin polyester.
Since then we’ve expanded as our clients’ needs have changed. We still provide sourcing and product development. Yet we have broadened our offering to cover sustainable innovation strategy, Scope 3 decarbonisation roadmap, supply chain risk assessments and sustainability training for product teams.
So if you want to start a sustainable brand, get a clear picture on your supply chain, or want to develop hero products; we have the skillset to get you to your goal.
David Bowie understood what is required to have a profitable apparel business!
“Tomorrow belongs to those who see it coming.”
The apparel industry has changed enormously over my lifetime. It’s an industry my whole family is in, going back generations. I’ve seen manufacturing leave the UK and be offshored in search of cheaper labour. It was around the age of 10 that I started doing little bits around my Uncle’s factory. My cousin and I were really good at lay plans, which are basically jigsaw puzzles! And in the summer we’d all be helping out either in QC or packing. I got to Kimble the labels. Which in hindsight, probably wasn’t legal!
I was a bit of a rebellious teenager, but being British means my manners are impeccable. So the best solution my parents had for keeping me out of trouble for the long summer holidays was to pack me off to Hong Kong to work in my dad’s sourcing office. Shanghai was a remarkably different place back then! What I have learnt over the couple of decades since then is that the industry was more ethical back then than we are now.
Later I went on to work for some of the high st’s largest suppliers, and then into sports. My experience meant that I was able to develop product to a specific price point from the design stage. Meaning my lead times were pretty damn fast! The good news is, when you smash your targets you’re generally then given free rein to test new ideas! And my ideas were always about reducing water, waste and emissions.
I became interested in climate change more than 20 years ago. Like most middle class Brits we skied, and one year I had a pretty bad accident due to poor snow coverage. When I was young I thought that the impact climate change would have on our lives would make us adapt far faster than we actually have. My degree show was all about modular sportswear for the outdoors. 20 years later, and little has changed in the way we make and sell clothing. Volume remains key. But I remain hopeful.
Today the fashion and apparel industry has shifted and adapted to new challenges, creating new opportunities. The rise of the internet and social media means your customer is now global. New digital and AI technologies means supply is faster, and requires less start up capital. But how we create our apparel hasn’t changed much. So in order to tap into future opportunities it helps to have experience in your corner. As well as a rather large ‘little black book’!
Sam Taylor
A list of things I wish everyone in the industry knew!
Sustainability is a process not a goal. If you’re creating a new product it’s inherently unsustainable.
There will always be someone cheaper than you. So stand for more.
Regulations aren’t scary when you’re an ethical business.
Just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s ethical. Or well made.
You can have the best fitting garments out there. But if you don’t communicate the size chart well, your customers will still say it doesn’t fit.
Certifications are expensive. Choose wisely.
Marginal gains add up.
Impact is measurable. And means more than intent.
Waste in the product creation process does more harm to the planet than the product.