Scandinavia’s largest producer of drapery hardware, Stilling, pulls their entire production of aluminium profiles from Asia to Europe as plans to reduce environmental impact come to fruition.

The family-owned company, located in the capital region of Denmark, has informed their aluminium supplier in Asia that they will not be placing any new orders starting January 1, 2024. This happens as the company delivers on their promise to insource the entirety of their aluminium profile production from Asia to Europe, in support of their long-term quest for producing drapery hardware with the least possible environmental and social impact.

“After careful consideration of the paradoxical aspects in the matter – the environmental expenses, the people whose livelihood we support through our purchases, and the improved working conditions we help impose – we have come to the decision to insource all our aluminium production from Asia to Europe commencing January 1, 2024. A move which was planned several years back and is now in the process of implementation,” says CEO & owner, Thomas Trads Hansen.

Aluminium profiles make up the majority of Stilling’s core product portfolio, including curtain tracks and sun-shading systems, which are all customised to suit individual projects by skilled craftspeople at the company’s facilities in Denmark.

IN SEARCH OF A BETTER FUTURE

When boiling it down, the overall environmental costs from producing aluminium in Asia and transporting it back to Denmark prove too high, while accessibility of recycled raw materials and renewable energy is significantly greater within the European borders. The same goes for securing safe working conditions, where the company’s ability to conduct safety checks is better.

Well-known for environmental pioneering within their industry, the family-owned company lead by brothers, Rasmus Stilling-Schütz and Thomas Trads Hansen, adheres to a regenerative approach to doing business. This commitment earned the company the coveted B-Corp certification in 2022.

“Initially, moving our aluminium sourcing to Europe will instantly impact our conventional products, as we raise the bar on those of our profiles identified to have the highest environmental impact. And in the long run it will also support our long-term commitment to implementing recycled aluminium across our portfolio, enabling the continued roll-out of our SUSTAIN™ products,” says CCO & owner, Rasmus Stilling-Schütz.

Aluminium makes up over 80% of Stilling’s collected emissions, as revealed in the company’s 2022 climate report.

A CHALLENGING DECISION

Nevertheless, the decision has been challenging for the owners, as they aknowledge the complexity of such choices.

“Our suppliers in Asia have been part of our journey through many years – most of them for several decades – and together we have delivered what we believe are the best curtain tracks in the world. But now, it is time for us to own up to our promise of delivering curtain tracks that are also the best FOR the world,” says CEO & owner, Thomas Trads Hansen.

Stilling will continue to collaborate with producers in a global supply chain in the future, but with an aim to re-organize supply in a way that makes the most sense for the planet and its people.

SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Third generation owners and brothers, Thomas Trads Hansen and Rasmus Stilling-Schütz, took control of the family-company in 2018 and decided to strive for pioneering sustainability within their industry.
• Stilling received the coveted B Corp certification in December 2022, making them the first within their industry to be certified.
• Over 80% of the Stilling’s CO2 emissions come from the sourcing of aluminium; with over 99,6% falling in scope 3 emissions.
• Stilling adheres to a regenerative busimess approach and is obligated to maintain both an economic, environmental and social bottom line as stipulated in the company’s by laws.
• Lacking satisfying product labelling within their industry, Stilling launched their own product labelling called ‘SUSTAIN™’ for highlighting enhanced products that follow strict environmental and social requirements.
• From 2019 to 2023, Stilling successfully reduced combustible waste by 80.6%.

ABOUT STILLING

Design company, Stilling, was founded in Denmark in 1949, and right from the beginning, craftsmanship, design, and attention to detail has been the backbone of the company, whose core product is bespoke curtain tracks that can be milled and bent into any shape, as well as custom lacquered.

A pioneer in drapery hardware made from recycled materials, Stilling’s third-generation owners have implemented a series of social and environmental initiatives, earning them B Corp certification.

This means that Stilling has become part of a community who strive to not only become the best companies in the world, but also for the world. Stilling is the first company within its industry to receive a B-Corp certification.

PRESS CONTACT

Press inquiries can be made to:

Jakob Hundborg at Replique
jh@replique.dk
+45 4054 5496