Beyond “Made in Canada”: Amevie’s Global Approach to Sustainable Production

As a Canadian brand, we often encounter questions about our manufacturing choices. Why, with our emphasis on Canadian values, supporting Canadian charities and environmental consciousness, do we produce our products overseas? The answer, while complex, boils down to a blend of practical realities, sustainable sourcing, and a dedication to delivering exceptional quality. In this article we dive into the reasons behind our decision, focusing on the specific benefits of manufacturing bamboo sunglasses in China, the challenges we overcame, and the unwavering commitment to ethical production that drives Amevie.

The Raw Material: Bamboo’s Global Footprint

Our journey begins with bamboo, the heart of our sunglasses. While bamboo grows in various regions, China boasts the world’s most extensive and mature bamboo forests. This abundance translates into a readily available, high-quality raw material supply. Selecting a location where our primary resource thrives naturally minimizes transportation costs and reduces our carbon footprint.

Canada, while abundant in natural resources, does not possess the ideal climate or established infrastructure for large-scale bamboo cultivation. Importing raw bamboo to Canada would significantly increase our environmental impact, contradicting our core values.

Cost Benefits: Balancing Sustainability and Accessibility

Manufacturing in China offers significant cost benefits compared to domestic production, there is no question about it. These savings are not a result of exploiting workers or compromising quality, but rather stem from established manufacturing infrastructure and economies of scale. While we still manufacture our sunglasses in small batches to minimize waste as unsold inventory, we use well established factories that have the technology and human talent to manufacture these at a fraction of the cost of what would cost us elsewhere.

In Canada, setting up a specialized manufacturing facility for bamboo sunglasses would require substantial upfront investment, resulting in higher production costs. While there are amazing Canadian businesses selling made in Canada sunglasses, they inevitably encounter costs that are passed on to consumers, making their products less accessible.

Manufacturing in China allows us to maintain competitive pricing while investing in sustainable practices throughout our supply chain. This includes using factories that use responsibly harvested bamboo, using eco-friendly packaging, and supporting Canadian charities, such as Seva.

Manufacturing Quality: Partnering with Vetted Factories

A common misconception is that “made in China” is the equivalent to a compromise on quality. However, the founders at Amevie have invested considerable time and resources to identify and partner with factories that adhere to stringent quality standards.

Our bamboo sunglasses undergo rigorous testing to ensure durability, UV protection, and overall craftsmanship. After they pass the factory quality control, we also meticulously inspect each pair to guarantee they meet our exact specifications. No order gets shipped without a thorough inspection.

Furthermore, we prioritize working with factories that share our commitment to ethical production. This includes fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers’ rights.

The Amevie Journey: Navigating the Supply Chain

The path to establishing a reliable and ethical manufacturing partnership in China was not without its challenges. It took Amevie’s founders two years and tens of thousands of dollars in investment to navigate the complex supply chain and build relationships with factories that aligned with our values.

We interviewed countless factories, received virtual factory tours, requested certifications and third party audits, and engaged in extensive communication to ensure transparency and accountability. We learned that not all Chinese factories are created equal. Some prioritize profit over people and the environment. However, we established a network of very few but dedicated manufacturers committed to quality and ethical practices.

Our experience underscores the importance of due diligence and building strong relationships with our partners. We believe that responsible manufacturing is not only possible in China but can also be a catalyst for positive change.

Beyond Manufacturing: Our Commitment to Sustainability

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our manufacturing choices. We are dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact throughout our entire business operations.

We use eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials. Our very own cases are made from recycled paper. We continuously seek ways to improve our sustainability practices and reduce our environmental footprint.

Why Not Canada? Addressing the Misconceptions

We understand the desire to support local manufacturing and the perception that “Made in Canada” equates to higher quality and ethical production. We also support Canadian initiatives such as using Good Foot Delivery when possible, and we donate to Seva Canada, for each pair that we sell,supporting a child that requires prescription eyeglasses.

Manufacturing in Canada would significantly increase our production costs, making our products less accessible to consumers. It would also require importing raw materials, increasing our environmental impact.

Furthermore, we believe that responsible manufacturing is possible anywhere in the world, provided there is a commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Future of Amevie: A Global Vision with Canadian Values

Amevie is a Canadian brand with a global vision. We believe that sustainable products should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their location. However, in these historic times, the reality is that our US market has been drastically reduced, and we are focusing on selling to our Canadian customers.

Our decision to manufacture overseas is not a compromise on our values but rather a strategic choice that allows us to balance sustainability, affordability, and quality. We believe that we can create a positive impact by partnering with responsible manufacturers in China and investing in sustainable practices throughout our business.

We invite you to join us on our journey to create a more sustainable and equitable world, one pair of bamboo sunglasses at a time. We believe that by making conscious choices, we can all contribute to a brighter future.

The Amevie Promise: Transparency and Accountability

We understand the importance of transparency and accountability in building trust with our customers. We are committed to providing detailed information about our manufacturing practices and supply chain.

We encourage you to ask questions and engage in dialogue with us. We believe that by fostering open communication, we can create a more informed and responsible consumer base.

Conclusion: A Global Partnership for a Sustainable Future

Amevie’s decision to manufacture bamboo sunglasses in China is a testament to the complexities of global supply chains and the importance of responsible sourcing. By prioritizing ethical partnerships, rigorous quality control, and a commitment to sustainability, we are able to offer high-quality, eco-friendly products at accessible prices.

Our journey is a continuous process of learning, adaptation, and improvement. We are committed to building a sustainable and equitable business that benefits both our customers and our partners.

 

Thank you for reading this far! Please reach out if you have any questions for us, at hello {at} amevie {dot} com.