038. Manufactured x Transformers Foundation: Sanjeev Bahl on REKUT & Inclusion

In this episode we talk to Sanjeev Bahl, founder and chief executive of Saitex, a Vietnam-based jeans manufacturer and certified B-corp that counts Everlane, Madewell, J. Crew, Target and G-Star Raw among its clients. Saitex makes 6 million garments per year, has 4000 staff, 4 factories in Vietnam, and one in Los Angeles.

REKUT is an offshoot of Saitex. It describes itself as a movement to create jobs and equal opportunities for people with different abilities.

In this episode we get into the details: how is production set up? How does this differ to conventional apparel manufacturing contexts? Who buys REKUT products and how has Sanjeev managed to connect with buyers who value what he’s doing as well as being willing to pay for it? And finally, what would it take to see more projects like REKUT coming out of the apparel manufacturing world?

Want to dig deeper ?

Transformers Foundation is the unified voice representing the denim industry and its ideas for positive change. It was founded to provide a thus-far missing platform to the jeans and denim supply chain, and a central point of contact for consumers, brands, NGOs, and media who want to learn more about ethics and sustainable innovation in the industry.

For more on Transformers Foundation’s work visit the website and follow along on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Learn more about Saitex and REKUT.