Why Devon Duvets Products are 100% Made in Britain
With the growing power of consumers and the choices available, our purchasing decisions make a significant impact on our environment and our economy, and our communities.
Buying British-made products brings benefit on many levels and, despite a common misconception that Britain no longer makes products, the UK is still a major player when it comes to manufacturing. In fact, we’re eighth in the world in manufacturing output - and number five on the list when it comes to innovation.
Devon Duvets is a proud member of Made in Britain, a not-for-profit organisation that supports and promotes British manufacturing. With our commitment to sustainability, we’ve matched their strict criteria that our products must be made here, in the UK, using responsibly sourced materials, and adhering to high standards. We don’t mass produce or pre-fabricate outside the UK, and by being licensed to use the Made in Britain trusted ‘mark’ (logo), consumers can be confident that we’re the real deal.
Read on to find out why purchasing British-made products is important and, more specifically, what makes Devon Duvets products stand out from the crowd.
Sustainability
By buying British products you are contributing to environmental sustainability and the circular economy in several ways. British manufacturers are subject to tough environmental regulations that ensure production processes are more eco-friendly.
Responsible sourcing: At Devon Duvets, we are committed to responsible sourcing and to only doing business with suppliers who share our values. Our wool is certified as fully traceable by British Wool and it comes from live sheep owned by local British farmers. We keep our carbon footprint down by cleaning and needling our wool in British mills without the use of chemicals, and by using local suppliers for our outer packaging, labelling and office equipment. We voluntarily undergo ethical auditing by SEDEX, the world’s most widely used audit of environmental performance.
Innovation: British companies are amongst the most innovative in the world when it comes to making world-class products. It was nearly two decades ago that Devon Duvets pioneered individually handcrafted, 100% British wool soft bedding that is 100% made in Britain. We constantly seek ways in which we can expand our range of sustainable products for our customers.
Energy Efficient: We individually handcraft 100% sustainable products, making them from start to finish in our own energy-efficient workshops in Devon. This means we can control every aspect of our production to ensure it is as sustainable as possible.
Zero Waste: Our zero waste policy means that nothing goes to waste – for example, roll ends of wool and cotton fabric are used to make our smaller products. Our scrap wool is composted, and it breaks down naturally, releasing nutrients into the soil.
Supporting jobs
Manufacturing is an important source of employment in Britain. So, when you purchase a product made in Britain, you are supporting jobs across several sectors.
Supporting employment and skills: Buying a product from Devon Duvets means you are providing jobs for our team of experienced seamstresses, as well as our staff in customer services, quality control, packing and dispatch.
Supporting British farmers: Because we use 100% British wool and pay an above market price for our wool, buying one of our products means that you are supporting British sheep farmers - and the British wool industry, with its 2,000 year old heritage.
Supporting jobs in local communities: At Devon Duvets, we source close to home, wherever possible and within Devon or the Southwest. So, when you buy one of our products, you are also supporting jobs in the companies who make our outer packaging and labelling.
Economic stability
Buying a British made product means you are investing in the UK economy and reducing our dependency on imported goods that can be of inferior quality and can also be vulnerable to external disruptions. Keeping production within our borders means that money stays in our economy, creating what’s known as a ‘multiplier’ effect. This supports local businesses, maintains quality British supply sources and reduces unemployment, all of which contributes to community development and enhances overall economic stability. So, when you choose a Devon Duvets pillow, duvet or mattress topper, you’re helping to boost our economy.
Quality and safety standards
British manufacturers adhere to very high quality and safety standards. These cover everything from the materials used to the conditions in which products are made and ensures that the products you buy are reliable, safe and of the highest quality. This attention to details often results in products that are superior to their imported counterparts.
Commitment to quality materials: At Devon Duvets, we carefully select our suppliers to ensure they are share our commitment to quality. Many of these supplier relationships have been in place since the very start of Devon Duvets – and even as far back as our research and development when we made the commitment to ensure we use only the highest quality materials to individually handcraft our award-winning duvets, toppers and pillows.
Commitment to quality in production: Our products are crafted, step by step, in our own workshops on the edge of Dartmoor. We therefore have 100% control over how our products are made and can ensure we constantly review our quality standards, making improvements if necessary.
Commitment to safety: We provide a safe working environment for our staff, adhering to the strict safety standards guided by law in the UK. We are rigorous in our operations, to ensure that our products are chemical-free. This means that our staff are not exposed to chemically treated materials when crafting our products. That also makes it better for you and our planet.
Ethical and fair labour practices
Labour standards in Britain are amongst the highest in the world. When you buy a British-made product (and particularly those made by Made in Britain members) you can be confident that the workers who made them are fairly treated and work in safe conditions. Devon Duvets is a family run and owned business and we consider our staff, some of whom have been with us for many years, as part of our family. We care about each other and our products, undergoing SMETA audits, which forms part of our regular SEDEX auditing process. SMETA involves us voluntarily opening our doors, procedures and policies for scrutiny by an external auditor.
Preserving heritage and craftsmanship
There is a rich history of craftsmanship in Britain, with many skills being passed down through generations. By choosing products made in Britain, you are supporting and preserving these traditions and the artisans who are dedicated to their craft. It also fosters a sense of pride in the local communities where these products are made.
The heritage of British wool: The British wool industry has a proud heritage that is centuries old. The quality of British wool and the quality of the products made using British wool have been admired and sought after since the Roman Empire and were also responsible for much of the wealth of Britain throughout our history. By purchasing a 100% natural wool Devon Duvets product, you are part of that heritage and ensuring it continues for years to come.
Skill and craftsmanship: It takes a special skill to ensure a product maximises your sleep environment. With every stitch guided by direct eye-to-hand contact, our experienced seamstresses can create the cosiest duvet with luxurious drape, softest mattress topper and supportive pillow. Only by individually handcrafting each product can we ensure perfection is achieved. What’s more, because we are crafting our products in our own Devon-based workshop, should one of our customers enquire about a bespoke size item, all our customer services team need do is walk into the next room to discuss the requirements with our head seamstress. Our commitment to skill and craftsmanship has been recognised by the Guild of Master Craftsmen and as members we are vetted to ensure we meet their standards of high-quality workmanship, integrity and exceptional customer service. To-date, we are the only soft bedding maker that has been awarded membership.
Award-winning products: Our products have been recognised for their quality and ability to improve sleep. We’ve won many awards over the years from national magazines and newspapers, as well as recognition for our commitment to sustainability by Made in Britain.
Transparency and customer engagement
Buying British-made products often gives you the opportunity to connect with the people behind the products. This means you can ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the products you are interested in buying.
Transparent and honest: At Devon Duvets, we try to include as much information about our products as possible on our website, and we are open and honest about our products and what materials we use. We also know that everyone is different and so might have a specific question about what product might suit them or need some guidance – and that’s where our customer service team comes in.
Award-winning customer service: Our customer services team are also award-winners, reflecting the long-respected British tradition of customer care. Our aim is to help people sleep better and we are always happy to talk about our products and which might be the best one for your needs. Contact us via email or call 01752 345399.
Customer engagement: We aim to engage with our customers in a meaningful and constructive way. It isn’t just about ‘selling’ a product but about sharing information. That could include one of our bedtime stories, each one highlighting one of our core values or the journey we have taken to create Devon Duvets. Or if the time has come to replace your much-loved duvet from Devon Duvets with a newer one, we can provide tips on how you can recycle your old duvet in a way that benefits the environment. We’re here to help with any queries before and after you’ve purchased your Devon Duvets product too, so don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Ref: Made in Britain, British Wool, SEDEX, SMETA