Saitex REKUT; a one-of-a-kind production line

By Robin Meijerink

Located near Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Saitex has been the partner of choice for some of the world’s biggest denim brands since their inception in 2012. From the beginning, the mill has made significant strides in reducing its environmental impact and both promoting and practicing sustainable and socially responsible denim manufacturing.

Last year, Saitex opened their new state-of-the-art fabric mill, enabling a fully circular manufacturing system. The mill’s machinery uses less energy, fewer chemicals, and less water. All together, this helps the mill create the world’s most environmentally friendly denim.

Through cooperation with the industrial park where the mill is located, Saitex has managed to use zero liters of fresh water to produce their denims, relying instead on recycled water. The innovative and revolutionary mindset at Saitex has led to their widespread reputation as one of the most sustainable denim mills on the planet, not to mention their production of high-quality fabrics and their high level of manufacturing.

On March 22nd of this year, we visited the Saitex facilities in Vietnam. During our tour of their facilities, we traced the path that a pair of jeans takes from raw cotton to finished garment. We were thoroughly impressed by the expertise of the staff, their business acumen and vision, and, of course, the high level and set-up of their machinery. The Saitex mill has an annual capacity of 24 million meters of denim, and we were pleasantly surprised by the structured processes and the clean and tidy facilities.

Today, we want to shed some light on another facet of Saitex—a program that is just as integral to their identity and just as revolutionary as Saitex’s sustainability initiatives. Today, we would like to direct your attention to REKUT.

Saitex REKUT

REKUT is a one-of-a-kind production line that is helping to create a barrier-free world with equal and open opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The REKUT production line serves as a platform for differently abled individuals to receive training and assistance in securing a sustainable job and a stable income.

Sanjeev Bahl, founder of Saitex, was the inspiration and driving force behind the program, and its helped him achieve his vision of a safe and broadly inclusive workplace. REKUT is not a charity but an intensive five-month program designed to enable people to contribute to Saitex’s output. It is not a casual activity, but a serious initiative aimed at empowering people.

To help the new associates get the hang of the basics, those entering the starting phase of REKUT are introduced to basic projects such as removing loose ends from finished garments. After the introduction, the REKUT program offers the opportunity to create products such as pillows and bags from leftover fabrics, which can then be sold online. Each manager within REKUT possesses specialized skills and has undergone various training sessions to educate and mentor the employees who joined the company through the program. These managers provide support and guidance, helping the employees enhance their skills and knowledge. Those who have demonstrated proficiency in their work can progress to more complex tasks. Those who excel in their roles are invited to transition to the regular teams.

Saitex uses color-coded t-shirts to distinguish between the different teams and their responsibilities. Employees in the REKUT program wear dark green shirts to signify that they require extra guidance, but also to recognize and celebrate their valuable contribution to the production process. Saitex takes great pride in the REKUT program and has committed to its expansion and improvement, with a goal of employing 1,000 people through REKUT by 2025.

With their REKUT program as a shining example of their innovative approach, Saitex continues to stand as a shining example of what companies in the denim supply chain can do when they dedicate themselves to sustainability and social responsibility. By prioritizing the welfare of individuals who would otherwise not have a fair opportunity, Saitex is demonstrating its admirable mission and vision and is inspiring other companies to follow suit.

Learn more about Saitex REKUT, here.