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Our Responsibility
How we work
At Shepherd, we are committed to creating high-quality, long-lasting, trans-seasonal pieces with precise craftsmanship and low-impact output in mind.
SHEPHERD® always strives to be better. We are aware that this will take time and we strive to be consistent in our actions.
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Our Responsibility
As a company, it is our responsibility to learn, grow, and improve as much as we can, with the natural and genuine being the essence of everything we do. We believe transparency is indispensable and we strive to always be a better version of ourselves, with progress over perfection. To do so we must make conscious choices every day. That is why this work is at the top of our agenda.
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Our Goal
Our goal is to carry out all our actions in alignment with our deeply held values, with respect for humanity, our planet, and the broader society. The foundation of this work is the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We have identified five key goals where our influence can be most significant, based on our core business. Read about our goals here.
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Planet
Our ambition is to focus on the processes where we can make the greatest impact, and it is in the production phase we leave our biggest ecological footprint. Our strategies include sourcing more sustainable materials, minimizing waste, and enhancing the efficiency of our production practices. Initiatives include, but are not limited to: Implementation of a modern wastewater treatment facility at our main supplier in North Macedonia, enabling partial water reuse. A longstanding commitment to plastic-free operations, meticulously selecting our packaging and labeling solutions. Optimization of packaging and ensuring that our transports from North Macedonia are always fully loaded. We have created a patchwork collection with unique pieces made from left over materials from our regular production in order to minimize waste. Animal welfare is as important to us as the quality of an approved Shepherd product. Therefore, we require our suppliers to maintain and follow our Shepherd Code of Animal Treatment: “The animals must roam freely within a natural setting, under continuous care to promote their well-being. Access to food and water is guaranteed. Practices such as mulesing are strictly prohibited, and animal transportation by boat is not permitted.”
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Product
We design our products with longevity in mind and choose the materials with great care. Each piece is made to last and be cherished season after season, year after year. Our sheep-and lambskin, sourced from countries including Australia, New Zealand, England, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, is a by-product of the meat industry, thus preventing waste. We select only the finest skins for our sheepskin and wool production, based on wool density, structure, and leather quality, collaborating exclusively with trusted suppliers to ensure impeccable standards. We encourage our customers to extend the lifecycle of their Shepherd pieces by following the proper care and maintenance guidelines provided here.
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Prosperity
Our vision is to continue developing as a company and as a brand. A strong business community creates growth, which finances expanded welfare systems and contributes to increased equality. Financial prosperity for us means that we can invest in, and work for, a more responsible production and industry. We are committed to preserving traditional craftsmanship while enhancing production efficiency. This includes modernizing certain manual processes with advanced machinery to adopt more ergonomic practices without ever compromising the intuitive touch, feel, and meticulousness provided by our skilled craftsmen.
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People
Our responsibility extends to ensuring the well-being of people, now and in the future. Our products are manufactured without being harmful to people, complying with current rules and regulations across all our markets. We know that to be able to go far, we must go together and look for new ways to improve. Therefore, we sustain and nurture our relationships and partnerships at every level. As a Swedish company based in Svenljunga we maintain long term relationships with all our suppliers, fostering trust and deep understanding. Most of our products are manufactured in a factory in North Macedonia that we’ve been working with since the very beginning, over 40 years ago. Our customers can trust that every Shepherd product is made under fair working conditions. This assurance is underpinned by our Shepherd Code of Conduct, based on ILO conventions, and our commitment to engage only with suppliers who adhere to these standards.
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Charity
Shepherd proudly supports LOZA Foundation, an organisation dedicated to helping the most vulnerable people of Europe by providing essential needs such as housing, food, and clothing. Our long-term commitment involves both financial support and collaborative projects, particularly in North Macedonia, where our main production facility is located.