Monarch Brands is a part of the Hospeco Brands Group family of brands.

Monarch Brands is a part of the Hospeco Brands Group family of brands.

Moral Fiber Series: Manufacturing Integrity and Social Compliance

Moral Fiber Part Two: The True Cost of Bargain Towels

Moral Fiber is a thought-provoking three-part blog series that delves into the crucial decisions manufacturers face and the far-reaching impacts of those choices—on the quality of their products, the well-being of their communities, and their respect for the environment. At Monarch Brands, integrity is paramount when selecting manufacturing partners for quality towels. We know that working with factories lacking this core value compromises the craftsmanship of the product and the broader ecosystem of ethical and sustainable practices.

In this second part of our series, we explore how integrity in manufacturing isn’t just about the products but also about the people who make them.

The Human Cost of Cheap Manufacturing

The dark side of the textile industry was tragically exposed in 2013 when the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,100 garment workers. This tragedy was the result of unsafe working conditions—factories with poorly maintained machinery, overcrowded spaces, and negligent employers. Unfortunately, the Rana Plaza disaster is just one example of how cutting corners in production can lead to catastrophic consequences for workers and their families.

The factory collapse in Rana underscored the critical urgency for transparency and accountability in global manufacturing. However, even after such disasters, violations of workers’ rights persist around the world.

State-run camps exist where people are detained and forced to work under inhumane conditions for years with no chance of leaving. Slave labor and egregious practices, including forced child labor, underline the importance of choosing suppliers who prioritize human life over profit.

The U.S. Takes Action to Stop Human Rights Violations

Many famous designer fashion brands seeking the lowest costs find morally bankrupt manufacturers. Together they make reprehensible choices that hurt entire communities. As a case in point, in 2013, grave human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region were discovered, exposing the famous designers and brands guilty of working with criminal manufacturers in China. It was discovered that over a million people were enslaved in state-run forced labor camps. Tens of thousands of Uyghur and Muslim people were incarcerated, with no hope of leaving the locked and guarded camp. They were subject to re-education and work camps, forced to work 16 hours a day, under threat of physical and psychological abuse. The U.S. and other countries took notice and began talks to end these human rights violations.

Global initiatives were proposed such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which prohibits imports from factories that engage in forced labor practices. This act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2021, represents one of the strongest measures taken by any country to combat human rights abuses in the textile industry. As part of our commitment to manufacturing integrity, Monarch Brands supports the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. By complying with such regulations and actively seeking ethical partners, Monarch Brands ensures that our products are made with respect for human dignity.

Commitment to Ethical Production

At Monarch Brands, we have made it our mission to partner only with factories that share our values of integrity and respect for workers’ rights. Our manufacturing partners uphold the highest standards of safety and social compliance, ensuring that their employees are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. Workers in our partner factories receive fair pay, safe working conditions, and access to educational programs.

At our partner facilities, regular building inspections, safety training, modern fire equipment, and on-site medical support are standard practices. Mandatory safety training ensures that workers are equipped to handle machinery safely, while ongoing educational programs provide them with the skills and knowledge to grow within the company. By empowering workers, we help create sustainable communities and improve the lives of individuals and families.

Choosing Integrity: The Monarch Brands Difference

At Monarch Brands, we choose integrity in every aspect of our manufacturing process. This means partnering with factories that prioritize safety, pay living wages, and offer opportunities for growth and education. It also means standing against human rights violations and demanding transparency and responsibility in the global textile industry. We believe that the choices made by manufacturers and suppliers can either perpetuate harmful practices or lead to positive change. For that reason, we only work with factories that invest in advanced equipment and in their people and communities.

Reputable manufacturers understand that quality is not just about quality towels—it’s about the conditions under which they are made. Seek integrity in sourcing your production partners first, and quality of the product second.

Part Three of the Moral Fiber series will examine the environmental impacts of the textile industry and how Monarch Brands is making strides in sustainable manufacturing.

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Tapash Bhattacharjee

Tapash Bhattacharjee
VP of Global Sourcing
P: (215) 482-6100
[email protected]

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