Looks like Rick hasn't been checking in on this thread lately but here is his response to a 4-year old reddit AMA question regarding working conditions in factories that make SM garments. If I remember correctly they only work with factories in China now.
Not going to lie, when I first heard about SM I was skeptical but once I started trying some items the quality spoke for itself. I think their business model is also obvious enough that poor treatment of work wouldn’t be the first thing I think of when I wonder how they can provide so much value.
Yes the working conditions are probably not as great as first-world countries but I think we can safely say it's not Nike level bad considering tailors are much higher skilled than the average worker making sneakers.
Both factories that we have partnered with in India and China adhere to all local and international labour laws and inspected regularly through Intertek. Our Chinese partner is ISO certified and requires such certifications for their export permits. I can arrange a list of the certifications from them and report back on the specifics.
Our Indian factory in particular is very interesting. As we only work with 17 tailors, each of a very high skill level, they dictate to the factory what their salary will be, what their hours will be, etc. If their requirements are not met, they simply will leave. We do not employ machine operators. All are highly skilled tailors, each capable of drafting the pattern, cutting, sewing and finishing the shirt on their own. Such is the case, we value them very highly to carry out our work. Some have been with us since we first started.
Not going to lie, when I first heard about SM I was skeptical but once I started trying some items the quality spoke for itself. I think their business model is also obvious enough that poor treatment of work wouldn’t be the first thing I think of when I wonder how they can provide so much value.
Yes the working conditions are probably not as great as first-world countries but I think we can safely say it's not Nike level bad considering tailors are much higher skilled than the average worker making sneakers.