To be evergreen is Scoop’s utopia

“We realized that we had to differentiate ourselves by betting determinedly on innovation” explains Daniel Pinto (in the photo), Scoop’s Strategy and Development Director. As a matter of fact, the concern with sustainability is present in all the company’s production stages: 70% of the raw materials are purchased in Portugal; the priority is to reduce energy, water and plastic consumption; and the research projects are always trying to find new ways to reuse the accumulated stock from previous collections.

The making more with less motto has already lured new clients and the public institutions acknowledgement. The most notable came from the U.N., which in October admitted Scoop in the “United Nations Global Compact”, a committee of over nine thousand companies that excel at an international level for their actions in the field of human rights and environmental conservation.

“Major international clients appreciate the fact that we have a management system fully in line with the norms of innovation, quality, health and labour safety, as well as with environmental and social standards”, states Daniel Pinto.

With an unusual record, the company initially stood out in ski clothing, a not so much popular sport in Portugal. “The opportunity came from a Swedish customer, and then we started making ski suits for schools in the Alps, which today is still one of our main markets”.

Yet, the seasonality of this market led Scoop to diversify, especially since 2006, when the most acute symptoms of the economic crisis were felt. Today, besides snow clothing, the company manufactures outfits for several other sports, such as tennis and American football – having been present in Wimbledon and the Super Bowl –, and is also branching out to other collections in the “wearable tech” department.

In the international market, one of its main strengths is the customized service. “Tommy, for example, sends a development team to our company and at the same time they’re making decisions about the products, we’re producing the samples according to their needs. It is possible to find cheaper elsewhere, but with us they get a premium service”, asserts Daniel Pinto.

In the sustainability field, Scoop’s intents know no boundaries. Last year, the company started a biological vegetable garden from which it provides soup, juice, fruits and tea to all its employees. In the plot beside it, a small forest grows as a symbol of respect and gratitude for the firemen who fight Portugal’s forest fires. Featuring indigenous species only, each tree is named after an employee. A perfect cycle – both inside and outside the company walls – with which Scoop is creating an evergreen utopia.