Stewardship

Who or what a company is associated with is a sensitive topic in our ever-more-connected world. We want to tell you about some of the companies with which we work.

Because of variables such as material sources and yes, labor costs, Big Shrimpy manufactures its products in the United States and China. We also work with a cool not-for-profit company here in the US. Read on…

Our Chinese Sewing Partner

People point to human rights issues, factory conditions and other areas in which China has not been a positive leader…all valid points. Yet when considering China, we think it useful to recall that our own industrial history led to the writing of books such as The Jungle in 1906. Our own labor conditions have improved greatly since then.

China is growing and changing quickly and experiencing growing pains along the way.  We believe that the US will have a more positive effect by interacting with China rather than by raising walls against China. As people in China earn more money they also demand better living conditions in the work place and from their government.

The Chinese company that sews some of our products is owned and operated by a woman named Linda (that’s her “Anglo” name).  We met Linda at a trade show here in the US and immediately liked her. When we contracted with Linda, we spent two weeks at her factory to inspect the working conditions and start production if everything looked good.

We found the working conditions to be as good or better than most factories we’ve seen in the US.  Linda is at her factory every day and is usually the last to leave. The employees seem content in their work.  There is a cook on staff and a dormitory for the crew. They get paid vacations plus money to return home for the major holidays.  We’re proud to work with Linda and her crew.

Our American Sewing Partner

We also manufacture products here in the Seattle area, working with a clean, safe, well run company.  In this US sewing facility there is not a cook on staff to prepare three meals a day for the crew but you can’t have it all.

Our Warehousing and Shipping Partner

Another Seattle-area partner is a self-funded not-for-profit company that employs people needing a second chance in life. This company helps people develop basic work and life skills via on-the-job training, educational programs, and certification opportunities. They perform the final assembly and shipping of our products.

Some of these folks have spent time in prison or have lived on the street.  These people need a chance to start over and we’re glad to help provide that.  We believe that taking care of our “environment” is not just about recycling or cleaning up a salmon stream, it’s about looking out for our human brothers and sisters as well.