Procurement Case Study
Good News Story: Westpac x Workwear Group + The Social Outfit = A Pocketful of Social Good
Accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia in 2015, Workwear Group has been providing end-to-end uniform solutions for over 85 years.
Newly accredited and much-loved sustainable fashion brand, The Social Outfit, focuses on employing and training women from refugee and migrant backgrounds creating clothes that are as bright and bold as the women who make them.
In 2024, these two accredited suppliers teamed up with Westpac, to deliver an inspiring example of how ethical procurement can contribute both to social good and commercial needs.
The challenge
Looking to align their procurement practices with their commitment to sustainability and supply chain transparency, Westpac was looking to procure a range of uniforms for branch staff that not only met high-quality standards but were also safely produced and made locally.
Representing their biggest business-to-business contract to date, the challenge for The Social Outfit was to scale up production to meet the demands of a large corporate client, while still maintaining their mission of empowering refugee and migrant women.
The solution
Throughout the process, Workwear Group offered valuable guidance to help The Social Outfit transition to bulk production, while not cutting any corners. Over several months, The Social Outfit’s team produced 2,000 scarves and pocket squares for Westpac branch staff, using fabric remnants and deadstock materials, showcasing how ethical production can also be environmentally conscious.
”We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working alongside The Social Outfit, guiding the team through the requirements, challenges, and benefits of establishing bulk production. We’re looking forward to working with them well into the future on other products and programs.
— Matthew Blashki, General Manager, Workwear Group Uniforms
By partnering with accredited suppliers, Westpac was able to uphold its ethical values and strengthen its reputation for sustainability, while creating something vibrant and eye-catching for staff to wear, and be truly proud of.
The impact
This collaboration is a shining example of how strategic procurement partnerships can turn ethical values into tangible outcomes, benefiting both the businesses involved and society more broadly.
Consistently pushing the boundaries of ethical business practices, this collaboration also earned Workwear Group the prestigious Sustainable Supplier Award at the Westpac Awards in November 2023.
Further benefits of this partnership include:
- Driving Innovation: Workwear Group’s expertise helped The Social Outfit scale their operations to meet the demands of bulk production while maintaining ethical practices, setting the stage for future large-scale projects.
- Protecting Workers’ Rights: The Social Outfit provided safe, meaningful employment and skills training to refugee and migrant women, allowing them to earn a fair wage while gaining valuable work experience.
- Supporting Local Industry: The partnership supported Australian manufacturers, contributing to local economic growth and shorter, more transparent supply chains.
- Sustainability Practices: Westpac’s commitment to ethical procurement also resulted in garments made from recycled PET bottles and the implementation of 100% recyclable packaging by Workwear Group.
In their own words
This partnership isn’t just about meeting business needs — it’s about leveraging an ethical supply chain to make a lasting impact on communities. As Chief Procurement Officer at Westpac, Brian Hagen, highlights:
”We have long recognised the opportunities our supply chain creates to direct procurement spend towards businesses like The Social Outfit that are doing great work to promote social and economic participation.
— Brian Hagen, Chief Procurement Officer, Westpac
Exemplifying how businesses can align their operational goals with broader corporate social responsibilities, for CEO of The Social Outfit at the time, Camilla Schippa, the ripple effect of partnerships like this can be deeply transformative:
”This collaboration is truly a game changer for us. It opens up an avenue for more work, allowing us to hire and empower more women in our manufacturing workroom. Corporate procurement also unlocks more reliable revenue streams to enable social enterprises like ours to grow and expand.
— Camilla Schippa, previous CEO, The Social Outfit
More than just a production run, this collaboration gave the women involved the opportunity to develop new skills, earn a fair wage, and gain invaluable work experience in the Australian context.
A force for change
By choosing to work with suppliers who are accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia, Westpac has set a powerful precedent for how corporate procurement can be a force for positive change.
Ready to use your procurement power for good? Ethical Clothing Australia’s rigorous accreditation program has been protecting the rights of local garment workers and championing local industry for nearly 25 years.
Explore our directory of accredited ethical manufacturers and learn more about how your business can contribute to a fairer, more sustainable future.
