The artisans who bring their unique designs and products to the Etsy online marketplace should be able to think bigger. That's what the site's management is hoping will happen as they work to bring together vendors, many of whom make their products by hand, with manufacturers that can help ramp up production levels.
A new division known as Etsy Manufacturing will debut next week when manufacturers begin to create profiles as part of a beta of the initiative. The goal is to develop an online roster of suppliers that artisans can search to find potential business partners.
Chad Dickerson, CEO of Etsy, said one of the biggest issues facing the marketplace is that sellers begin to see sales ramp up, but then find they simply can't handle increasing demands. With the new venture, Mr. Dickerson is looking to help artisans find production help while staying true to Etsy's mission of putting community before profits.
Source: etsy.com/manufacturing/apply
"Manufacturing can be very different from what people think of it to be. It can be everything from a seamstress or a caster or a single woodworker," Mr. Dickerson told The New York Times. "We want to reach those manufacturers."
While Etsy does not plan to audit individual manufacturers, it does require them to provide information to ensure they meet the site's ethical standards. The marketplace is encouraging designers to conduct due diligence about manufacturers' business practices.
Etsy completed a $3.5 billion IPO back in April and is operated as a Certified B Corp, that includes pledges to adhere to social, environmental and transparency guidelines set by independent certifier B Lab.