MISSION STATEMENT
We realized that to do this we must make demonstrably better products that will allow people to do what they do best. This requires us to invest in quality manufacturing, focus on new product development, and create new features that benefit those who rely on our products every day.
— Belle Chou, President SW
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
SW specializes in manufacturing, R&D and hand health technologies to provide premium hand protection products that enhance worker performance. SW brings a different approach to the category. An approach that involves applying industry insight and an investment in manufacturing innovation to find better ways to advance worker safety, improve hand health, and increase job performance. It is a difference you can feel.
COMPANY VALUES
The 8 Values of Quality is the standard that we at SW hold for ourselves. It represents, to the core, how we manufacture our products, interact with stakeholders, and operate as a company.
Learn more HERE.
SW® AT A GLANCE
| OUR BUSINESS |
PRIVATELY
HELD
WOMAN
OWNED
MINORITY
LED
| OUR TEAM |
GLOBAL
TEAM
INDUSTRY
EXPERIENCE
CALIFORNIA
BASED
| MANUFACTURING |
6 THIRD-PARTY
FACTORIES IN ASIA
MANUFACTURING
& DISTRIBUTION
SERVICE
& SUPPORT
DEDICATED
R&D TEAMS
INDUSTRY LEADING
HAND HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES
ENVIRONMENTALLY
FOCUSED
SINGLE-USE
MECHANICAL
PROTECTION
CHEMICAL
PROTECTION
SO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems
ISO 9001 is a set of internationally recognized standards
for quality management systems and the most recognized quality standard in the world.
Compliance ensures quality measures are tracked, managed, and reviewed in an organization to foster constant improvement, employee safety, and customer satisfaction.
SW facilities adhere to these standards and have developed additional internal standards to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest quality products in the industry.
ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management for Medical Devices
ISO 13485 is a set of stringent international standards for the quality management systems of medical devices used in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
In addition to ISO 9001, achieving this standard requires supplementary regulatory requirements that are specific to the rigorous demands and quality of medical products.
SW has adopted this standard across the board and meets this standard for all single-use gloves, ensuring that they all meet the necessary exam-grade requirements.
ISO 14001: Environmental Management System Certificate
ISO 14001 is a third-party validated certificate that verifies a supplier is compliant with a set of global environmental protection standards and laws.
It assures that the raw materials, manufacturing methods, and post-use disposal processes by a manufacturer meet all environmental protection regulations.
SW has been an early adopter of this certification and continues to make investments in industry-leading technologies for hand protection sustainability best practices.
SA 8000- Social Accountability
SA 8000 is an international standard that is focused on maintaining socially acceptable and ethical best practices regarding the treatment of employees in an organization.
The principles in the standard cover topics ranging from employee hiring, health and working conditions, to discriminatory, disciplinary, and equal pay practices.
With global offices and a diverse workforce, SW has relied on this standard to ensure employee satisfaction and to maintain a sense of family that the company was founded on.
British Safety Industry Federation
Established in 1994, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is a leading association that assures members comply with UK personal protective equipment laws.
Membership with BSIF requires UK organizations to follow strict standards for performance claims. It assures products perform as expected, specifications are accurate, and products are safe for users.
As a committed member of the Federation, SW adheres to the same values as BSIF, worker safety, and having products performing as promised.
National Women’s Business Enterprise Certification
Founded in 1997, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification is the largest accreditation granted to women-owned businesses in the United States.
The certification of these types of businesses is necessary for large corporations and government agencies seeking the benefits of working with women-run businesses.
Since its inception in 1984, SW has been a privately-held, women- and minority-led business that has become a leader in today’s hand protection industry.
National Minority Supplier Development Council
The National Minority Supplier Development Council is a third-party certifier that gives Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certifications to minority-owned businesses.
This certification is essential for large corporations and government agencies that seek the benefits and opportunities of conducting business with minority-run companies.
Since its inception in 1984, SW has been a privately-held, women- and minority-led business that has become a leader in today’s hand protection industry.
Skin Health Alliance
The Skin Health Alliance (SHA) is a leading, internationally known not-for-profit organization that awards products, services, and brands dermatological accreditation.
Earning recognition from SHA means fulfilling a set of strict skin safety requirements put in place by an independent team of reputable dermatologists and skin scientists.
SW was the first hand safety manufacturer to carry the globally recognized SHA symbol, a sign that we always value putting the health and safety of our customers first.
B Corp Certification
B Corp Certification is awarded to companies based on their commitment to environmental responsibility, social performance, accountability, and transparency.
Showcasing SW's dedication to positive change. To become B Corp certified, companies undergo a rigorous assessment of their social and environmental impact, making a legal commitment to accountability and transparency.
SW Sustainability Solutions' achievement of B Corp Certification highlights its dedication to sustainability across its operations and products, positioning it as a leader in the movement for economic systems change.
With a global footprint, SW is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen.
And we believe being a responsible company begins with responsible management practices.
SW is committed to investing in sustainable best practices and technologies.
ISO 14001: Environmental Management
With operation worldwide, it was important to achieve
ISO 14001 certification to provide confirmation that, across the business, SW is compliant with global environmental protection standards and laws.
SBTi
SW has been recognized by the SBTi for its sustainability endeavors, aligning with SBTi near term targets. This recognition includes mandated targets such as 1.5°C aligned scope 1 & 2 targets. SW aims to reduce absolute scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030 from 2022 base year, contributing to a sustainable, low-carbon future.
Certified Green Business
The California Green Business Network leads the state and nation in working with small to medium sized businesses to create a vibrant green economy. Led by a coalition of cities and counties, we endeavor to make our communities healthier and more livable while also conserving resources and saving money.
ECOTEK
It has been a long-term initiative to invest in the development of a proprietary sustainable additive without any performance loss. It is currently available in select styles today, and it is being rolled out across all nitrile products at an accelerated pace.
Conservation & Recycling
Across global operations, efforts are made to reduce the
consumption of natural resources, support zero-waste emissions, recycle end-of-life products, and conserve packaging materials. All outer packaging is made of 90% recycled paper and inner packaging is made from 70% recycled paper.
Reduction of Hazardous Substances
Reducing the reliance of hazardous substances is an
ongoing effort. SW is actively seeking ways to reduce the use of volatile organic compounds deemed risky to the environment. Preventing chemical pollution and minimizing the amount of chemicals in our products is a top priority.
Responsible Procurement
Focusing on the source of raw materials has been a
company-wide initiative. It is a goal to source materials
from suppliers that share SW environmental standards. Comprehensive assessments are performed to evaluate
the use of controlled substances at all SW facilities.