Why We're Increasingly Choosing to Source Within Europe
For us, sustainability isn’t just about the products we supply, but also about the choices we make before a product reaches our customers. One of those choices is where we have our products manufactured and sourced.
That is why we are increasingly exploring opportunities to source products within Europe. By working with manufacturers closer to home, we can reduce transportation distances, respond more flexibly to demand, and manage logistics more effectively.
Make a conscious choice, not a default choice
Although sourcing within Europe often offers advantages, we do not believe that a single solution is always the most sustainable. After all, manufacturing in Europe is not automatically more sustainable than manufacturing elsewhere in the world.
For each product group, we therefore take a critical look at the big picture. Various factors play a role in this, such as the production method, energy consumption, the materials used, the method of transport, and the total CO₂ impact.
For example, a product manufactured in Europe may have a shorter transport distance, while a product from Asia can be transported efficiently by sea. Because a container ship carries large quantities of goods at once, emissions per product can be surprisingly low in some cases. That is why we assess each situation individually and do not make decisions based solely on a factory’s location.
Measuring to Make Better Choices
To ensure these assessments are not based solely on assumptions, we are working with a specialized sustainability partner to map out our CO₂ emissions. In doing so, we are examining Scope 1—our direct emissions—Scope 2—emissions from purchased energy—and Scope 3—emissions throughout the rest of the supply chain, such as raw materials, production, packaging, and transportation.
By combining company data, product information, and supply chain data, we can run simulations. This allows us to analyze how total CO₂ emissions are affected when a product is manufactured at a different location, made from a different material, or transported differently. This helps us identify which change yields the greatest environmental benefits.
These insights help us base our sourcing decisions on measurable data. A shorter transport distance is not automatically the most sustainable solution. By taking the entire production process and logistics chain into account, we can work more effectively toward reducing our environmental impact.
The Benefits of European Sourcing
When sourcing within Europe is an appropriate choice, it offers several advantages.
Shorter distances often lead to a more efficient supply chain and greater flexibility. In addition, delivery times can be shorter, and it is easier to collaborate closely with manufacturers. Regular in-person contact and visits to production sites help ensure effective monitoring of quality, processes, and shared sustainability goals.
That is why we deliberately partner with European manufacturers for various collections. For example, parts of our collections are produced in countries such as Portugal, where craftsmanship, quality, and a strong focus on sustainable production come together.
Continuous Improvement
For us, sourcing is not a one-time decision, but an ongoing process. We continue to explore ways to make our supply chain more sustainable, constantly reevaluating the best balance between quality, reliability, logistics, and environmental impact.
Sometimes that means choosing a manufacturer within Europe. Sometimes another solution ultimately proves to be more sustainable. By continuing to critically examine every step in the supply chain, we are working toward an increasingly sustainable way of doing business.
At Wegter Brands , we Wegter Brands that sustainability isn’t about simple answers, but about conscious choices. It is precisely by carefully considering each situation anew that we can work together to build a future in which quality, responsibility, and sustainability go hand in hand.