After nearly three and a half years, with Covid travel restrictions finally lifted, Chadwick Textiles’ buying team received the green light to return to China to visit key suppliers. Having touched down in Shanghai, the team was pleasantly surprised at how the city had improved over the lockdown period, demonstrating that Chinese efficiency was alive and kicking once again.
The number one priority of the company’s 2023 trip was signing off its new range, Kinetic. Kinetic has taken over two and a half years to develop, which historically is twice as long as other ranges. Kinetic is collectively the most premium and technical range the company has developed to date, combining new performance fabrics, prints and specialised trims.
Quality assured
Quality is rigorously controlled at every stage of manufacturing with the help of Chadwick Textiles’ own full-time employees based at its China office. One or more of its eight-strong team will visit the company’s factories on an almost weekly basis, reporting back to the UK regularly.
This enables Chadwick Textiles to make informed decisions quickly and solve any issues faster. Travelling to China and spending time with staff also allows the company to provide training, product updates, and problem-solving sessions, and to continue building awareness of expectations and business operations.
Environmental impact and sustainability
Environmental impact and sustainability factors are now becoming just as important to China as they are in Europe and the rest of the world. A key part of developments is ensuring Chadwick Textiles and its suppliers follow a sustainable code of practice.
Oeko-Tex is an independent testing certification for fabrics and trims and is specified by Chadwick Textiles wherever possible. It also recently carried out full independent factory assessments in conjunction with ITS Intertek. In addition, all Chadwick Textiles’ vendors adhere to Amfori/BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative), and it encourages all suppliers to follow a positive working culture and aim to continuously improve.
The addition of recycled packaging has also recently been achieved and Chadwick Textiles is seeking to convert fabrics to recycled polyester step-by-step. In the meantime, the company has another trip to China planned later this year, by which time many of its new products will have arrived in UK stock.
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