ISSUE 2 : FACTORY 1809
To get to our most remote and interesting showroom, one must travel to the heart of the Fu mountains in China, where basket weaving can be traced back to the Neolithic era. We leave the city and drive along the shoreline of the Min River through many villages, each with their own unique character. We arrive at our destination village, through the traditional Chinese entry gates and down the one main street that holds all the retail shops of the region. There are colourful food markets, restaurants open to the street, shops for bright red and yellow household goods, many store fronts for basket making supplies and, most recently, a mobile phone store. Life is conducted on this street and the clamour of the activity is energizing. People, bicycles, motorcycles, the occasional car and transport truck, chickens, pigs and dogs vie for position on the single lane road. At the end of the road, we arrive at our factory and walk upstairs to our showroom and open the door to an all white and grey, pristine and orderly room. This is a perfect example of the dichotomy of chaos and order. As one of our clients said upon their first visit to the showroom, “It’s like arriving on another planet”.
This showroom is a collaboration between a local factory and 18 Karat. Before the Chinese citizens could own their own private business, the factories could only operate as a government entity. To keep all the factories organized, they were given a number instead of a name. Our factory was number 09. When faced with naming our new enterprise, we decided on the name Factory 1809. Not a traditional good luck Chinese name, but one that reminded us of the early beginnings of our relationship.
The products produced at Factory 1809 are floral and gift basket containers in large volume quantities, designed by 18Karat designers. Many products are custom designed for specific client needs and specifications. Nearly 90% of the goods produced are 18 Karat products, the majority made by hand using traditional techniques. With volumes often in the tens of thousands the factory will often contract out the job of weaving basic forms to local women, many of whom are mothers, working from their homes. Once completed the containers return to the factory where final details, such as paint or trims, are added and then the products are inspected and wrapped for shipping. Metal work and woodwork are done in the factory workshops.
As equally committed to excellent work conditions and fair business practices as 18 Karat, Factory 1809 is continually upgrading their equipment and has worked hard to create a safe work environment. The factory owners, with their growth in 18 Karat business, have been able to give back to their community by helping fund the construction of a new road through the village, as well as the construction of a new village school.
The Factory 1809 showroom is open by appointment only. Please call Grant Ohman for an appointment request. 1-888-849-8811
posted by Maureen Welton; President + Creative Director
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