PRODUCT

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

To achieve and progress towards climate resilience, we consistently strive for higher standards in our production methods. Leveraging Esquel’s vertically-integrated supply chain, we innovate from seed to shirt to retain utility and value of resources. We invest in process improvement to enhance resource efficiency, and introduce new products that reduce waste and pollution. Made with integrity, we consistently deliver quality and durable products to satisfy our stakeholders’ needs.

VOICES OF CHANGE

Our employees are the everyday heroes that make a difference by continuously finding ways to make quality shirts more efficiently, more safely, and less wastefully. This video is the story of how one of our garment workers, “Sister Yan”, found opportunities to drive changes wherever she was placed over the years.

ASPIRATIONS IN ACTION

WHAT MIGHT THE ULTIMATELY
SUSTAINABLE SHIRT LOOK LIKE?

Style, quality and responsible production go hand in hand in the clothing industry. Manufacturing requires a series of judgments on what to make and how to make it. It is every brand and manufacturer’s duty to make responsible decisions, to explore ways to make meaningful advancements in production and reduce their impact on the environment.

We ask ourselves, “What might the ultimately sustainable shirt look like?” and try to answer that through our concept line, ECOLOGICAL, by our retail brand PYE. Starting from the beginning of our supply chain, we reengineer the entire shirt-production process to be more environmentally friendly.

A SOLID FOUNDATION

We earn our reputation as a trusted business partner by focusing on providing high quality products and services to all of our clients. Our vertically-integrated supply chain is what offers a unique advantage that distinguishes us as a global industry leader. Control of core processes—from cottonseed research to product retailing – enables us to understand supply chain risks and opportunities.

In collaboration with our partners, we begin with choosing the best raw materials and ensuring all the resources and equipment are ethically sourced. At the same time, we invest heavily in continuous process improvement. With critical end-to-end thinking, we can minimize wastage and lower our consumption of water, energy and chemicals. Our business is constantly being redesigned to improve technologies and capabilities, so that we can continue to create yarns, fabrics, accessories, and garments of the highest quality. Here are the results from 2018 that exemplify our efforts to create excellent products.

MATERIALS

Quality raw materials are the first step in determining what products can be made, how they are made, their performance while in use, and what happens to them once they are no longer in use. Whether it is the cotton needed to create our premium cotton shirts, or other materials required in our accessories and packaging products, we take pride in maintaining a steady supply of quality, ethically-sourced materials that are right for our use. Working with partners, we continuously explore ecological materials.

RAW MATERIALS (COTTON)

Having a reliable supply of Extra-Long-Staple (ELS) cotton is a core competency of Esquel. Our two ginning mills have an annual supply capacity of over 10,000 tons, which meets over 60% of our demand for this premium grade of cotton. To address risks from seasonal supply and demand, market fluctuations, and regulatory conditions, Esquel has developed long-term relationships with pima cotton growers and suppliers in the United States and in other countries.

PACKAGING MATERIALS

Our product line extends to accessories and packaging materials designed to keep pace with market and consumer trends. Our recycled yarns and fabrics find new life as garment tags; while organic cotton trims and woven fabric waste are similarly upcycled into labels and bags. We are also exploring the use of recycled and biodegradable plastics.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Today’s textile and garment production is about managing the disruption from digital and technological transformation. The challenge is to redesign for efficiency and productivity, while responsibly managing resources and assets. Esquel pairs a multiskilled workforce with upgraded semi-automated or automated equipment in a people-plus-technology approach that significantly improves productivity and product quality.

We devote substantial efforts to research and development. In addition to fabric performance, we focus on opportunities in automation to increase efficiency, and decrease error and wastage throughout the manufacturing process.

We maintain close relations with our stakeholders – from clients and governments to research institutions and NGOs. This close engagement catalyzes creation of new working processes and fuels redesign within the supply chain for better social and environmental performance. Guided by our quality growth strategy, we optimize asset utilization and long-term capacity planning with customers to ensure timely delivery and better cost management.

Stay tuned for our stories on circular economy, new products, and tech systems.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

The adoption of automation empowers Esquelers to pursue knowledge-based work, and relieves them from labor-intensive and physically straining work, while improving the production quality and efficiency to increase income and lower our environmental impact.

PATENTS

Our pursuit of excellence drives us to constantly innovate. As of 2020, we hold 1,620 patents

ETHICAL SOURCING

Esquel is a driver for sustainable supply chain management. Across all our business units, we only work with selected responsible and ethical partners that share our values. Whether it’s raw materials, chemicals, garment sub-parts, or our machines, we take a comprehensive approach to work with and evaluate each supplier, with criteria inclu ding quality, on-time delivery, price, service, environmental responsibility, health & safety, and financial strength. We believe in developing supply chains that deliver business value and are inclusive, resilient, and transparent, creating long-term benefit for all involved stakeholders.