Meet the makers: Factory 018

At THE-CODED, we work with factories across the globe that have their workers at the forefront of their operations. These factories aim to change the face of the fashion industry by paying a fair living wage, looking after their employees, and providing high-quality conditions for workers. 

Situated in Chennai in the South of India, this piece follows the workers in factory 018. Chennai is the largest hub of the country’s leather industry and has a historical tradition of leather manufacturing. So let’s dive into life at factory 018 in our first ever 'meet the makers' post.

Getting to know 018

Firstly, how long have you been producing fashion garments?

We are a third-generation leather manufacturer - over a period of time we have added leather goods manufacturing to our portfolio.  

How do you ensure the safest working conditions for your employees?

We are a gold-rated LWG audited tannery that adheres to all social audits and we ensure the highest standards of safety across all of our facilities. We are currently working on our SEDEX and SA8000 accreditations and plan to undertake these audits too in the near future.

Do you have any internal training programs, practices or charity drives that you would like to tell us about?

We conduct frequent safety training and workshops for all of our employees. Our management is involved in educating 600 children in a nearby village at a school called Gateway Public School. One of our senior directors' parents grew up in the village where the school is located, therefore he is passionate about the initiative.

What has your experience of working with THE-CØDED been like so far?

We enjoy working with THE-CØDED team - so far, the experience has been excellent and straightforward. We support what THE-CØDED is trying to achieve and we are proud to be one of the first factories to come on board. It is clear from the way that THE-CØDED team operates, that they truly believe in putting factories first.

How do you think the fashion industry could develop to better benefit manufacturers like you?

One of the most challenging issues facing most factories manufacturing for the fashion industry today is cash flow. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly common in the industry for factories to be offered very long payment terms by brands and retailers for the goods that they produce for them. 

There are of course exceptions to this and of course some factories deal more fairly with the factories who manufacture for them.

This makes it very difficult for factories who need to pay their workers, and also pay upfront for raw materials. We hope that this might change in the future and that brands and retailers will consider offering their factory partners more favourable payment terms. 

Is there anything else you would like to tell us and your potential customers?

018 is a great place to work and we are fortunate to have great people who love what they do. We hope that you will enjoy the quality, hand-made garments that we have produced for you with love.

Meet the employees at 018


We also spoke with Lalan who has worked in the fashion manufacturing industry for 10 years:

"My name is Lalan. I have worked in this industry for 10 years. I am handicapped since childhood; I am very satisfied working in this factory and I love my job."

Meet the makers volume 1

At THE-CØDED, we only work with quality manufacturers who place ethical practices at the forefront of their operations. This means that when customers shop at the-coded.com, they can be confident that the clothing they purchase is ethically made and will last for many years. We encourage our partners to use natural materials in their clothing production whenever possible, such as wool, cotton, and leather.

If you’re interested in becoming a partner, please get in touch.

Stay tuned for more ‘meet the makers’ features coming soon.

October 15, 2021 — James Browne