Allied Feather & Down is introducing further transparency into the entire down insulation supply chain with the introduction of the updated TrackMyDown.com, a Web site that allows apparel, sleeping bag, and bedding buyers to see exactly where their down was sourced and how it was processed.
Fall 2015 also will be the first season where products from outdoor industry partner brands such as Montane, Peak Performance, Vaude, Merrell, and Feathered Friends will come with a hangtag listing a down lot number. Additionally, down bedding featuring the technology will be available at bedding retailers throughout the country via ALLIED’s partnership with industry giant London Luxury.
This lot number can be entered on the TrackMyDown.com website where an interactive map will show the European country or Chinese Province of origin and the facility where the down was processed. Additional information including fill power, quality, and collector audits will also be listed.
“Allied understands that social responsibility and transparency are very important to the next generation of apparel and bedding buyers,” said Daniel Uretsky, President of Allied Feather & Down. “TrackMyDown.com represents a major step forward in enhancing traceability and transparency in an engaging way to this new consumer. This next generation of buyers will increasingly choose brands and products that they can identify with on an intimate level.”
“In addition to our sourcing standards certifications,” added Uretsky, “TrackMyDown.com is one more tool in our traceability arsenal that we can offer to our Allied partners to help build consumer confidence and brand loyalty in a new and engaging way.”
Allied says it partners with a network of down collectors and third-party auditors who are committed to Allied’s vision of responsibly sourced down. Once collected, each lot of down is verified for species, fill power, quality and animal welfare. It is then assigned a lot number (which is entered into a fully automated internal database) that follows the down throughout the initial processing phase. When lots are blended to meet the qualities desired by garment, sleeping bag, and bedding manufacturers (fill power, color, quality), a final production lot number is created that follows this blend though the manufacturing process all the way to retail shelves.
Powered by SourceTRACK, allied’s fully integrated, custom built internal traceability system, TrackMyDown.com adds additional transparency to the entire down insulation supply chain and brings that message directly to the consumer, allowing anyone with a product with Allied inside to confirm they are using the finest down from the finest sources.
