Fair & Global: How Our Baby Carriers Are Made
Ever wondered how a baby carrier is actually made? What about a nursing pillow, sleeping bag, or swaddler? We're going to share a sneak peek into the processes of how our Ergobaby products are born.
As you might already know, the creative part of the production process takes place on Maui, which is the home of Ergobaby’s founder, Karin Frost. There, the product designers come up with fun features or innovative product ideas, which then eventually will see the light of day, piece by piece.
When the design of a baby carrier, for example, is ready, the next step is to logistically coordinate the supply of raw materials, to make sure they’re in the right place at the right time for making the new Ergobaby carrier. During this step, we’re leaving Maui for a place like India, for example. In India, you’ll find one of our trusted suppliers, with whom we’ve already worked for many successful years. In careful compliance with every safety standard, about 450 employees devote themselves to producing the products. The processes are also regularly monitored by independent third parties.
We’re really happy to have found a partner in India, who considers the importance of employees’ safety and wellbeing at the standards we expect. 95 % of the employees are women, who get the chance to attend seminars on the advancement of women in addition to work. Together with our partners, we also support their local communities, for example through medical facilities for those who can’t afford these services otherwise, as well as care homes for the disabled and orphanages for girls. This engagement is very important to us. After all, we do what we do because we love children. Not only do we love children, but their families and people in general, too and the only right way to do things is to provide fair working conditions on-site and support those who are disadvantaged.
But we’re digressing from the actual topic… Where were we again? Right, when the raw materials for a new baby carrier arrive on the site of production in India, we first make a trial version. This is important, as it’s the only way for us to check whether the process can run smoothly during the mass production that follows. In this way, we can guarantee that the final product is a baby carrier of the best possible quality.
If everything is okay, it is time for the fabric to be cut. The fabric is stacked in meter-high layers, on which the digitised pattern is projected for precise cutting. The pattern is like a puzzle piece. It can only become a baby carrier when it’s put together with many other pieces. The cutting is particularly impressive; a single, precise blade cuts through the meter-high block of fabric. Just like that, without any difficulty! At least that’s how it’s supposed to be. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, a quality check is done after cutting. Every single piece is carefully examined. Everything must be right, after all, in order to guarantee function, safety, and great looks.
The production of a new Ergobaby is a real global masterpiece and can only be accomplished through good cooperation. Naturally, there are always some challenges on the way. The biggest challenge is to stick to the predetermined time schedules and cost calculations. Unexpected things can always happen – but these risks must be considered and included in calculations already before starting the production. This is the only way to overcome obstacles during the production process and create excellent products that will be loved by our customers for years to come.
