Manufacturing
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From the same tree
Maruni Wood Industry, a family business, faced shifting fortunes for years. A reluctant family member returned to his roots, only to discover he was the natural saviour of the company his great uncle founded.
No more secrets
Ethical production is all the rage and consumers want to know how products are made. The time has come for big brands to become a whole lot more transparent in their manufacturing.
Moral fibres
Unreliable labelling, products made in questionable factories – are luxury brands about to face Foxconn-style scandals? We look at the firms leading a provenance revival from LA to Helsinki.
Top of the glass
For five decades, a German family business has refined the 'perfect' glass washer. By leveraging employee expertise, this simple, non-electric device is now sold in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Stage craft
As the summer festival season approaches we visited the factories of three musical instrument makers who are world leaders for their attention to craft and superior sound quality.
Holding it together
As newspaper groups pivot to digital, one firm believes print’s future is secure. It argues that a paper’s feel, fold and how it's fixed together are key to a satisfying read.
The Impossible Project
Adaptive Eyewear is a social enterprise that’s working to correct the vision of some of the millions of people in developing nations that have no access to glasses. They do this using a unique…
Up the tubes
Email made pneumatic tubes seem obsolete, but logistics firm Swisslog saw potential in healthcare. Now, new hospitals use its networks to transport drugs and samples, marking a technological renaissance.
Bowled over
In a remote part of South Korea, 84-year-old Lee Bong-ju is reviving the tradition of making beautiful, unique Korean bronzeware, from elegant cutlery to white-gold dishes that have served presidents and royalty.
Sugar rush
Started in 1983, Royce' is one of Japan’s most beloved chocolatiers. In a sweet market all about tiny details, it has charmed its way around Asia and now has its sights on Europe.
