In the industry, when there is a direct financial transaction between the client and the supplier, they are called a "tier 1 supplier". In our case, this means partners who provide us with parts (thread, buttons, zips, packaging, etc.) so we can make our own fabrics and products and sell them ourselves, or our special partners in Morocco and Tunisia, who assemble a large proportion of our clothes for us. This also includes the few suppliers that we buy whole products from (waterproofs, tights, socks and hats for example).

All our suppliers have signed the Rocher Group Code of Business Conduct, which commits them to the values ​​of respect, transparency and environmental preservation. Every 3 years, we audit our Suppliers again. In 2019, we began a new cycle of social and environmental auditing of all our partners, using benchmarks in these areas such as SMETA or the Ecovadis platform. And as we're very conscientious about it, it takes quite a bit of time! Our new partners are now selected based on CSR criteria. Petit Bateau is committed to supporting all suppliers with their CSR action plans so that they become more responsible. As with all of our commitments, feel free to ask to see these. This is why we are already in contact with consumer applications like Clear Fashion, Zei, Good on You. They pinpoint areas for improvement, such as the need to certify our wool, and they help us progress faster.

And we still have a production unit in Troyes employing 420 people. While clothes are made here, most of the work done is knitting (thread is knitted into the fabric that most of our products are made of) and dyeing. In nearby Buchères in the Aube region, we have a logistics depot employing 180 people. Thanks to this factory, Petit Bateau not only maintains productive employment in France but passes on traditional know-how like the art of knitting (or how to turn thread into ribbing, jersey, jacquard, etc.) and the art of dyeing (which involves some secret recipes).

Our colour library, which has built up gradually over the years, contains over 3000 shades! We've also set up a training college at the factory to teach students about making up clothes (sewing and assembly), knitting (using knitting machines) and modelling (designing clothing). This college teaches our staff through internal training and external unemployed individuals through a partnership with Pôle Emploi.