Interview with Managing Director

Sustainability

Leather and loyalty - About a collaboration building better gloves

Hestra has been manufacturing quality gloves outside Shanghai for over 40 years. In 2011, we joined forces with our Chinese supplier in a joint venture. Hestra Pinghu is a corporate story that combines Småland entrepreneurialism with Chinese craftsmanship traditions.

Four Decades of Innovation: Pinghu & Hestra's Partnership

It all began when the Chinese economy opened up during the reforms of the 1970s. One of many new, privatized companies was the glove factory that would later be called Pinghu.

Hestra was one of its first customers. Hestra and Pinghu have shaped each other for over four decades says deputy Managing Director Kathy Sun, who has been with the company since 1998. Before Hestra entered the picture, the factory produced leather fashion gloves. Together with Hestra’s designers, the range was developed. The factory gradually began broadening its expertise within manufacturing of sports gloves, which required an entirely new type of fit and manufacturing method.

MANAGING COMPLEXITY

Technical sports gloves have less give and are made from thicker material. The shape must therefore match the natural position of the hand, with the fingers always slightly curved explains Kathy, demonstrating with her own hand. This makes production of sport gloves different and, in some aspects, more complex.

Dress gloves, on the other hand, are based on a flat hand, with backhand and palm pattern quite similar, using soft, thin leather that moulds to the shape of the fingers. Dress gloves pose other challenges, involving a wide range of leathers – so to be able to produce both glove types you really have to be able to master two entirely different sets of skills

explains Kathy. With its deep knowledge of leather and manufacturing, Pinghu has continued to play a key role in Hestra’s product development. Material issues are still discussed with the team in Shanghai, even though the production itself may take place at another Hestra factory.

Kathy Sun, Managing Director.

Now, I am proud to have been able to contribute to Hestra’s growth. I believe that many of my colleagues feel the same – it’s an honor that stays with you for the rest of your life

Hestra factory, Pinghu.

Production Hestra factory, Pinghu.

VALUABLE EMPLOYEES

Hestra Pinghu currently produces around 500,000 pairs of sports and dress gloves each year with 124 employees. The factory is certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards and is also affiliated with BSCI. Good conditions in the factory overall have contributed to a strong sense of loyalty among the employees. An example of positive measures is a fund that was established when the company was privatized so that the employees could benefit from the company’s profits:

The fund is used today to support our employees and their families. For example, by helping out in the event of illness or to support children in their education Kathy explains. But everything is not always easy. One challenge that unites many companies in textile production is high workload during certain periods. Overtime is the main reason the factory has received a C rating from BSCI.

Every year, we have early discussions with Hestra to schedule more production during the off-season, as well as implement other measures to reduce pressure during busy seasons says Kathy. It’s an ongoing process, and Kathy herself is happy to be a part of it.

When I joined the company over twenty years ago, I appreciated the constructive way in which Hestra and Pinghu worked together

says Kathy.

Now, I am proud to have been able to contribute to Hestra’s growth. I believe that many of my colleagues feel the same – it’s an honor that stays with you for the rest of your life