Then, the company made a decision to shut down their American factories and start producing in China. I was very disappointed in this change and immediately emailed their CEO, Tereson Dupuy.
My response is in regular font and hers is in bold:
"After hearing your response, I am going to seriously consider whether
I'm going to choose to keep Fuzzi Bunz as a retailer. I definitely
want to continue supporting your business, if it still meets my
values."
Our factory produces for Walmart and Disney. It is a very good factory that treats its workers well. I will be visiting in a few months (not looking forward to the flight - but will get to take my daughter to Hong Kong).
What people do not realize, and I was quite taken back myself - is that manufacturing is a very good way of life in China. Can you imagine working for a company that housed you, fed you, paid for your medical bills and 2 trips home each year to see your family and likely bring them back home all of the money you have made? Not bad.
Its a different way of life and a culture. We can't understand it b/c we are so consumed with "things" and "freedom" but I would definitly work for a lesser wage if I did not have a house note, insurance, medical etc to pay for. China has really cracked down in the last 10 years on manufacturing practices etc. And I am sure there are still some bad ones. But ours is not.
OMG and can I tell you how much better this will be for the environenment? Not 25 containers per year shipping raw goods to one factory, then shipping them to another warehouse then shipping them out etc. 6 containers a year - one distributor. Much better.
I am very happy with my decision. thank you so much for your support."
*Note: I underlined for emphasis on the lines that really struck me.
To my dismay, I planned on discontinuing their diapers. I had a fill a few orders and so I ordered a few "new" batches from their China factory. We had delaminating issues, the color consistency was off, elastic being shot after only a few months of use, and the fleece inside wasn't as soft.
More importantly, I chose to discontinue them due to their choices that crossed over my ethical boundaries. Walmart and Disney have been cited for their human rights violations and this is the factory where these cloth diapers are being made. She condoned the use of housing these workers, and glamourized this lifestyle. Are they REALLY lucky that they get to see their family 2 times a year???
One thing I love about operating my own business is that I get to choose who to support. Granted I have and will lose customers seeking Fuzzi Bunz, but that is just fine with me. There are other companies that I also choose not to support and again, have the same customer loss. The companies I support are ones in whom I agree with their business choices and the quality of their product.
Honestly yours,
Jen Starks, Owner
www.ecologicalbabies.com
ecologicalbabies@gmail.com
574.275.1235
2 comments:
Good for you, Jen! This is one of the many reasons that I love Ecological Babies. I found her explanation of "cultural differences" as a rationale for cheap labor particularly odd. If only we weren't so obsessed with "freedom" we could see that they actually love working for low wages and being away from their families! (what the what?!)
That is SHOCKING!! The tone and choice of words... hoe unprofessional! Ugh! Those were my fav go to diapers my first time around cloth diapering b/c they were so easy to use (this was in 2006). Thanks for sharing this.
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