Inside a sustainable factory

We looked at how sustainability is managed in one of the key factories we work with.

“An increasing global demand for natural resources and the inherent challenges accompanying this demand pose a great task for manufacturing companies. Fortunately at Marke Creative Merchandise, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us, It seeps into every aspect of brand and we actively encourage it within the companies we partner with.

We looked here at how sustainability is managed in one of the key factories we work with. Their approach is a hybrid of sustainability and quality and it begins from the moment raw materials enter the warehouse. They’ve increased the Quality Control staff from one to two members of staff to guarantee that as products leave the freight they match the high standards the company aspects.

But how do you monitor sustainability?

Sustainability in factories straddles 4 areas; energy, sourcing, water and waste. This is illustrated in the following way:

(i) Energy.

They buy the newest embroidery machines on the market and renew them every 5 years. They also slow their machines’ speed to conserve energy and close the warehouse at 4pm every Friday in order to service them all. They also use the 2x of the latest eco-friendly Conveyor Dryers which efficiently reduce wasted heat energy by only heating items to 162c exactly. These efforts in combination result in more energy conservation in the production process and less wear & tear and breakdowns.

(ii) Sourcing.

One of their leading suppliers is Stanley/ Stella, a fashion-conscious clothing manufacturer. From fibre sourcing to distribution of the finished product, their affiliation with the Fairwear Foundation as well as high standard certifications (GOTS, OE 100, OE Blended, OEKO TEX, REACH) prove a commitment to sustainable practices.

“The machine recycles the water it uses…”

(iii) Water.

In the screen printing process, they use the latest screen wash technology. With a newly-installed Screen Washing and Reclaiming System. The machine recycles the water it uses, as well as the paint it removes, with a non-poisonous filament to guarantee if the worse was to happen and the liquid entered the drainage system, no water life would be harmed.

(iv) Waste.

The site produces very little waste due to the recent introduction of a PHS Cardboard baler machine, which has reduced weekly baled waste by three quarters.

In conclusion…

These processes can’t be considered in vacuum and must be understood as a ‘journey rather than a destination’ to constantly improve sustainability targets and efficiencies.
The implementation of these processes also allows our subsequent Marke Creative-partnered companies the peace of mind to know that we work at the greater end of the market to improve sustainability throughout the products that we produce.

Print exposure unit

Energy

"Without each one of the Staples / Marke team, our go live launch date would not have been possible. The team showed true dedication and determination. The time and effort put in was just amazing. The professionalism and the endless hours spent was impressive. It feels good to operate with a team that is so self-reliant and motivated and who, despite having a busy schedule, made the project look easy. The amount of effort that the team put into the job to complete it was tremendous. The energy levels and the sincerity which was displayed were exemplary. You not only motivate others but also push them to give their all at work. I am so blessed to have been able to work with all of you."

Automotive

"We work closely with Marke Creative due to their expert local market knowledge and flexibility to react to local market conditions, giving us an advantage to offer a market-specific range while reacting to any potential issues effectively for our dealers and end-customers. The Marke Creative team represent many of our core values: by challenging the norm and continually offering a range that excites and ignites the brand passion. Having worked with Marke Creative for a number of years, the team’s passion for what they do shows through in everything they do."

Financial Services

"My experience with Marke Creative representatives is that they always go above and beyond. Communication is great. If something is out of stock, or the lead time may take longer than average, they always source a great alternative for me. The team are very knowledgeable about their products. In light of this, I have found that the quality of the products has been superb."

Education

"We were particularly impressed by the level of commitment and professionalism that characterises the organisational culture at Marke Creative. We also recognise and admire Marke Creative’s passion for sustainability which was the theme of our event."

Retail

"Your support, ideas, thinking and can-do attitude enabled us to develop a sustainable solution our exec team were happy to stand behind and also one we could use across our 3000 convenience store estate."