TOP 100 COMPANIES Patagonia
Year Founded : 1973 Industry : Fashion / Apparel
A certified B-Corporation , the Patagonia clothing brand has grown from its rich history of outdoor activity and environmental and social actions . The company ’ s story began with an American rock climber and self-taught blacksmith , Yvon Chouinard , who later went on to start a small business called Chouinard Equipment . From the 1980s , the Californiabased company — a very small business at the time — began to devote a lot of its energy to its people and the environment , by supporting workplace health initiatives in the form of food and an on-site facility to provide its employees with childcare .
Since its founding , through countless commitments to nature and sustainability , the company has developed a unique brand that defies convention , leverages high-quality , organic materials and is conscious of its impact on the planet , through various initiatives .
Waste goes against the company ’ s purpose . Therefore , recycling and reusing clothes is at the core of the business , while its new product lines provide work in production facilities in 16 different countries and high-quality , sustainably sourced goods to the consumer .
As of 2020 , 39 % of the company ’ s factories have paid employees a living wage and more than 64,000 workers are supported by its Fair Trade programme . In terms of its environmental impact , 87 % of Patagonia ’ s products utilise recycled materials and its US operations are supported by 100 % renewable energy .
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