bb Insight
Meeting our Makers:
Supplier tour in China.
Factory Insights:
Visit the production partners.
In May, our crew of ten packed their bags for an exciting expedition to China to take a look behind the scenes and experience first-hand how the promotional products we sell are actually made. The aim of our biennial China mission is not just to see the manufacturing processes, but to really understand them and strengthen our relationships with the manufacturers. Because in a world that is faster and more connected than ever before, transparency and genuine partnerships are key. We want to ensure that our products not only look cool, but are also produced under fair and responsible conditions. We visited six producers in the Shanghai region – all of them with amfori BSCI audits and with bb trading as the audit provider.
Travel Report:
Insights into production.
Day 1:
We kicked off with a visit to a bag factory that meets the highest standards. Solar panels on the roof already feed 30% of the machines with sustainable energy, and there are excellent working conditions and modern machinery. We then visited a ready market to gain a better understanding of how the supply of materials works for smaller runs and the challenges involved.
Day 2:
On the second day, umbrellas and ballpoint pens were on the agenda. We have been having these products produced by the same long-standing partners for over 10 years. A lot of manual work is still required in both production facilities, and it never ceases to amaze us how quickly and efficiently the workers complete complex work processes.
Day 3:
The third day took us to one of the largest producers of vacuum flasks, which also manufactures for world-famous labels such as Starbucks. The company impresses with its state-of-the-art technology and over 1,000 employees. Later, we visited a smaller company that manufactures colored pencils and pencils – ideal for the Swiss promotional products market.
Day 4:
The fourth day was dedicated to our Corporate Textile department. We visited a manufacturer of safety clothing who gave us an insight into the specialized production lines for workwear. A sea of bright fabrics for the processing of safety vests and other standard clothing characterized the factory image. A very advanced factory with four production halls on two floors. It should be noted that we only visited the smallest of its three factories.
Day 5:
After the return journey on the high-speed train, packed full of experiences, our employees had the opportunity to explore Shanghai more intensively on the last day. An excursion to the Shanghai Tower and a trip to the old part of the city filled the day.
With many new experiences, expanded consulting skills and strengthened supplier relationships, we then returned to Switzerland. We would like to thank all our manufacturers for the unforgettable moments and the warm hospitality we enjoyed at the evening dinners, which further strengthened our relationships.
Breathtaking:
Impressive observations.
- The enormous dexterity of the factory workers when folding umbrellas and sewing textile fabrics
- The advanced equipment in the factories and the recreation rooms
- The increased understanding of nature and the sustainable use of raw materials (recycling storage rooms for fabric remnants, etc.)
- The many steps it takes to make a simple product like a colored pencil
- The incredible hospitality of the Chinese partners and their diverse food culture – 非常感谢
- The height of the Shanghai Tower, the breathtaking skyline and the cleanliness of the city
Around 40% of our products are custom productions.
This means that we manufacture promotional items custom-tailored with special colors or specific requirements, both in Europe and the Far East.
amfori BSCI
Over 85% of our manufacturers in the Far East have an amfori BSCI audit.
Since 2009, bb trading has been the first promotional products retailer in Switzerland to join the amfori BSCI initiative and can call itself a pioneer in the industry for ethically and sustainably responsible purchasing of promotional products.
Custom-made products
Whether special colors or product development – bb trading has over 20 years of experience in individual projects. Contact us for your special project.
