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MANUFACTURING & MATERIALS INNOVATION
M
uch has been made of
western companies setting
the pace for using recycled
materials
and
environmentally friendly methods of
manufacture. This is of course not
entirely true. Anyone who has spent
any time in India, for example, will
have witnessed at first hand the
ingenious ways in which everything
possible is recycled. In fact, we all used
to recycle until some of us in the west
became too affluent to bother.
With regard to environmentally
friendly manufacturing methods and
providing optimum factory conditions
for employees the situation is
unfortunately only too often still true
and some companies in Asia have
attracted adverse criticism. Indeed,
some of the western brands using them
as subcontractors have also been less
than diligent in their responsibilities.
An exception is Chinese company
Great Lotus.
Great Lotus is a very young company
having been is existence for only five
years. Nevertheless, in this short space
of time, it has grown rapidly and
become a major producer of comfort
inserts and footbeds using open cell
urethane foam technology. It supplies
both leading footwear brands as well as
direct to consumers and has a strong
customer base in western markets. It
has done this without cutting corners;
on the contrary, it has gone out of its
way to produce top quality, high
performance products using the most
sustainable and environmentally
friendly methods possible.
General Manager Lillian Wu says:
“Our philosophy is that factors such as a
restricted substance list, factory safety,
environmental
conscientiousness,
correct management attitude, and
employee health, remuneration and
conditions are essential considerations
in how we are perceived by our
customers and for our long term
success. By adhering closely to these
practices, we have consistently met
customer requirements for factory
audits and inspections.”
Great Lotus uses its own R&D
department to create the formulae for
its range of special high density,
breathable, moisture wicking and
antibacterial foams it uses in its finished
products. Working this way also enables
the company to constantly refine and
improve performance of these foams in
response to customer feedback. In fact,
it actively seeks their input and
suggestions in the development of
future products.
30
WORLD FOOTWEAR | MARCH/APRIL 2012
PHOTO CREDIT: GREAT LOTUS
Starting out on the
right foot