facebook.com/thunderpantsnz
facebook.com/thriveclothingnz
Physical Address: 8 Kitchener Street, Martinborough
Operating Since: 1996
 |
| Josie and Sophie Prime Minister and Minister of the Arts |
What are you all about? Thunderpants is our undie label and Thrive is our outer wear label. We operate both labels in the same fashion which is to provide comfortable but groovy clothing for people who have busy lives but want to remain stylish. We firmly believe in sustainability and do so by creating garments that are fashion forward without being trendy so that they can be worn for seasons to come. Being ethical and operating ethically is also important to us; slow, sustainable growth, supporting our local economy, and as a huge plus our Thunderpants have just gone organic!
Who makes your clothes? SS Clothing 20 minutes up the road in Carterton, Wairarapa; a great team of women who make Thunderpants and Thrive possible.
Who sells your clothing? Can we buy them online?
We do, at our shop Thrive in Martinborough at 8 Kitchener Street or online. Also check out our stockists on the website - there are over 100 Thunderpants stockists and over 25 Thrive Clothing stockists.
What price range are your clothes in? Undies are going up to $28 a pair from $25 because of GST and going organic; but if you buy directly through us, we offer a 3 for $69 deal. Thrive clothing ranges approximately from $100 to $300, depending on the item.
Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
Cost, profitability and viability. It's expensive to manufacture in NZ, there's a lot of competition out there for similar quality garments that are produced offshore. Also, I think it's more difficult for larger companies as there isn't the production facilities here like there once was. Because of the loss of production facilities, there has been a loss of skills and thus not much left for large scale manufacturing. Production happens at the same time in NZ so the queue to get into manufacture can be a hassle and cause late deliveries. We, in some ways, are lucky because we'd like to remain small, which gives us a bit of room to manoeuver but can also be a hindrance as we don't have the economy of scale and buying power when it comes to fabrics and other apparel accessories.
What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
Encourage business growth within NZ and offer support to small business. Also support the production and export of value added items instead of raw materials. Greater education about supporting local business and economy. Financial incentives to stay NZ made, increase tariffs on imported products that compete with NZ made products. Make higher education affordable and encourage young people to stay in NZ. Value workers with technical skills. Promote ethical business practices...
Anything to add? Before long, and it's happening already, underpaid workers in offshore areas like China and India will soon demand fair wages & the financial benefit for going offshore will be negated which will leave NZ without a skilled workforce in all industries.
Who makes your clothes? SS Clothing 20 minutes up the road in Carterton, Wairarapa; a great team of women who make Thunderpants and Thrive possible.
Who sells your clothing? Can we buy them online?
We do, at our shop Thrive in Martinborough at 8 Kitchener Street or online. Also check out our stockists on the website - there are over 100 Thunderpants stockists and over 25 Thrive Clothing stockists.
What price range are your clothes in? Undies are going up to $28 a pair from $25 because of GST and going organic; but if you buy directly through us, we offer a 3 for $69 deal. Thrive clothing ranges approximately from $100 to $300, depending on the item.
Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
Cost, profitability and viability. It's expensive to manufacture in NZ, there's a lot of competition out there for similar quality garments that are produced offshore. Also, I think it's more difficult for larger companies as there isn't the production facilities here like there once was. Because of the loss of production facilities, there has been a loss of skills and thus not much left for large scale manufacturing. Production happens at the same time in NZ so the queue to get into manufacture can be a hassle and cause late deliveries. We, in some ways, are lucky because we'd like to remain small, which gives us a bit of room to manoeuver but can also be a hindrance as we don't have the economy of scale and buying power when it comes to fabrics and other apparel accessories.
What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
Encourage business growth within NZ and offer support to small business. Also support the production and export of value added items instead of raw materials. Greater education about supporting local business and economy. Financial incentives to stay NZ made, increase tariffs on imported products that compete with NZ made products. Make higher education affordable and encourage young people to stay in NZ. Value workers with technical skills. Promote ethical business practices...
Anything to add? Before long, and it's happening already, underpaid workers in offshore areas like China and India will soon demand fair wages & the financial benefit for going offshore will be negated which will leave NZ without a skilled workforce in all industries.
No comments:
Post a Comment