Road to Ammanford (photo: FH Khazam)

David Doherty, Corgi’s representative in Canada, shares an environmental perspective from his recent trip to our factory in Ammanford…

For over a century the Welsh countryside was mined for coal, and now it bears the scars that the industry brought with it.  In that same period Corgi socks (est. 1892) was producing hosiery for miners, and generating employment and business activity  for one corner of South West Wales. In the mid 1980’s Margaret Thatcher stood toe-to-toe with the unions and the coal industry, and, after an epic battle, the Welsh mining industry was decimated. Although this meant hardship for the miners, the environment was at last at rest, and able to heal the wounds left by the hardships inflicted upon it.

Now that lesson has not gone unlearned.

As a new generation of boutique knitters craft for the future, Lisa Wood and Chris Jones, fourth generation  of Jones’ at Corgi Hosiery of Ammanford,  have adopted that pro- environmental thinking, while maintaining Corgi’s traditional skills to produce one of a kind hand knitted apparel for the world.

In keeping with a strong sense of “green thinking”,  Lisa and Chris have renovated the original factory that produced socks for the miners, to an environmentally conscious facility. They have upgraded insulation, added skylights, and reduced the carbon footprint by thinking in the terms of worth, not waste.

The paper and plastic waste used in receiving material for knitting is sorted and recycled. All cardboard is separated and sent to dedicated cardboard bins where it is recycled locally. All yarns and production waste are collected by a local charity for distribution to schools and seniors’ residences for local craft lessons. The company also tries to source all raw materials and consumables used in producing socks and hand knits as close to their facility as possible, to keep the carbon footprint as small as possible.

HRH The Prince of Wales, a champion of responsible environmental causes, has been delighted with the efforts Corgi has made in being business friendly to the people of Wales, as well as a contributor to a better planet.

 Corgi is proud of its efforts as a manufacturer and environmental leader, which are recognized by the Royal Warrant,  that fgures prominently on products it crafts for designers and consumers around the world.