QUALITY AS THE KEY TO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES
Cathryn Xu is the founder of jeans manufacturer Dinghui, situated in Hangzhou, China. Her company is a Chinese pioneer in eco-conscious approaches within the denim sector. In a conversation with WeAr Denim, Cathryn talks about female power as well as her future vision for her company, the industry, and her vision for longterm sustainable business development.
With your new sustainable factory operational, what's the main focus?
The primary focus is to assemble a skilled team to oversee the operations of this factory. With over two decades of expertise in crafting denim for medium to premium brands, maintaining the accustomed high standard is paramount, particularly in the newly established sustainable factory. The heart of this new factory is state-of-the-art technology run on high-end European machines. Opening a new laundry in China is a complex process; obtaining a laundry license and constructing a facility, as we have done, took seven years. This extended timeline allowed us to meticulously prepare, ensuring that we achieve the desired level of quality, while prioritizing sustainability.
What key insights do you believe young women need for their role in management?
Women are more careful and detail-oriented, so we spend time searching for ways to implement and think about possible solutions. In the business world, women bring a unique strength. We hold leadership positions and own larger firms, driven by our forward-thinking approach, always planning for the future. I believe in envisioning and planning in significant strides. My approach is always to think 10 years ahead.
Our recent denim laundry project exemplifies this mindset and is constructed to accommodate growth over the next decade. We exceed our expectations by prioritizing green practices, limiting chemicals, and integrating innovative technologies like laser to reduce water consumption.
Together, we rise above adversity, making our mark in the business world with resilience and ingenuity. Let us continue to inspire and lead, forging paths of success for generations to come.
How do you manage long-term strategies in a fast-changing world and navigate high-risk growth?
Starting Dinghui at a young age, I encountered various challenges that influenced my direction over the years. While initially involved with lower-segment garments 25 years ago, I soon realized that there would always be someone offering cheaper alternatives. To stay competitive, the key is to excel in quality, craftsmanship, and service. Our approach involves collaborative thinking with our clients. Rather than pursuing only large volume orders, we aim for consistent production, ensuring our products perform exceptionally well in retail stores and online.
By maintaining this focus, we not only win over end consumers but also establish and sustain long-term business relationships with our clients. Recognizing the uncontrollable nature of global events, our strategy centers around focusing on the aspects within our control.
How can the industry enhance sustainability, and what incentives should brands adopt for denim production?
Ultimately, strategic alignment between brands, suppliers, and consumers is key to driving sustainable change in denim production. We have already invested significantly and prioritized achieving the required production standards for our clients; it is now critical for both parties to commit time and effort to ensure collective success.
For Dinghui, the utmost priority lies in maintaining a long-term vision and sustainable strategy. Each year, we strive to enhance ourselves, going beyond the outlined strategy and meeting the evolving demands of the market.