Made in Sweden – our factory in Skillingaryd
Kinnarps has always chosen to concentrate its production in Sweden – something that feels particularly important in the current climate crisis. This gives full control over the entire chain and ensures decent working conditions for all employees. But there are other advantages too. This was particularly evident during the pandemic, when the transport chains caused major problems for companies with production in distant countries.
“We can manufacture in closer alignment with the actual genuine need. We don’t need to take a gamble on getting a big order. If our order intake increases, we can scale up our own manufacturing process relatively quickly,” says Thomas Wilsson, factory manager at Kinnarps’ Skillingaryd factory.
Another advantage of having production in Sweden is the flexibility. If a product needs to be changed, we just do it. We don’t need to wait until existing stock has sold out.
“If we want to make updates, improvements or efficiencies, we can do it much faster. We don't have loads of products in our warehouse which we need to sell before we can make improvements,” he continues.
Facts
Skillingaryd mostly manufactures upholstered products. The factory area is 28,000 square metres. The workforce is 240 people, about 200 of whom work on the factory floor.
“If we want to make updates, improvements or efficiencies, we can do it much faster.”
Thomas Wilsson, factory manager at Kinnarps’ Skillingaryd factory
High-tech meets craftsmanship
Work at Skillingaryd mainly involves upholstering furniture. There are facilities in Kinnarp, Jönköping and other locations for other production stages.
“We supply each other. We like to say that our three factories are planned and run as one. They’re just geographically scattered between Jönköping, Skillingaryd and Kinnarp.
As you might expect, large parts of the factory are now automated. But at the end of the day, it’s still all about genuine craftsmanship,” reports Thomas Wilsson.
“Most importantly, we’ve automated our internal logistics. We have automated trucks, as well as systems that handle and distribute the material to the right person, at exactly the right time. But there’s still a lot of what I like to call industrial craftsmanship.”
He continues:
“People are needed to produce the quality that’s in demand. There are no robots that can sew or upholster the details. You need human expertise and experience.”
Made in Sweden. Kinnarps’ factories are located in Sweden: Kinnarp, Skillingaryd, Jönköping and Vinslöv, as well as two units in Tranås.
An automated program optimises fabric cutting and minimises waste. Waste fabric is collected and used, for example, in the manufacturing of sound absorbers.
At Kinnarps’ factory in Skillingaryd, Sweden the fabrics circulate efficiently around the ceiling and stop at several stations to undergo different stages.
A chair takes shape. Everyone at the factory has their areas of responsibility on the journey of the different parts into a finished product.
How do you view sustainability and circular processes?
“As early as the product development phase, we select materials and designs that ensure a long life cycle. Our products should be manufactured in a way that means they can be refurbished. For over a year now, we’ve had a department where we re-upholster our own products. This gives the product a 10-to-15-year longer life cycle.”
