Docksta has been running its factory in Sweden for over 100 years. Historically, the company supplied the Swedish army with military boots but, in the last few decades, the brand has become mostly associated with its slipper designs.
— We’re now a lifestyle brand selling shoes, clothing, accessories, and home decor, Andreas and Lisa Edin say.
The couple looked for a manufacturing company to buy around the city of Örnsköldsvik — where Lisa has her roots — for a long time.
— When we received the offer for Docksta Skofabrik, it felt obvious, though the company had experienced challenging years.
Together, the couple have initiated the construction of the brand’s new factory, which is built entirely from wood sourced from local forests on the High Coast.
— We wanted to create a good working environment for our employees and a pleasant place to visit for our customers while affecting the magnificent environment of the High Coast as little as possible. So, we’ve created a black-stained building divided into two naves, where one part houses the factory and the other part a store. The building looks smaller than it is, due to the colour choice which blends nicely into the mountain and the lush national park surroundings. The sea bays of the Bothnian Sea are just a stone’s throw away, and Skule National Park, with its beautiful virgin forests, forms a backdrop around our new factory and store.
The design of the building, the couple explains, is inspired by the story of the stonemason who lived on the site in the past and pulled down boulders manually, shaping them as the foundation for the buildings.
— We’ve saved all these stones, and they’re incorporated as an element in the building. The shape of the building resembles two boulders that have naturally fallen from the mountain.
You put sustainability very high. Yet, building a factory creates a lot of emissions. What’s your view on this?
— We have chosen to work with local raw materials and suppliers. The roof and walls are manufactured within a four-mile radius of the construction site. The material is sourced from local sawmills where the wood comes from the surrounding forests. Thanks to the solar panels on the roof, we will be self-sufficient in electricity. The completed property is environmentally friendly, with significantly reduced emissions compared to the property where we’ve previously operated, built in the 1960s.
What are the main challenges when building a factory?
— Time. We’ve been managing our regular businesses while simultaneously project managing and coordinating the entire construction of the factory ourselves. Furthermore, most of the project has taken place during the pandemic, facing difficulties in securing materials. Amidst rising inflation and a surge in material prices, construction costs increased significantly alongside a sharp rise in interest rates.
The eight people in the company keep themselves busy, including the development of a new range using materials developed particularly for the Nordic climate.
— Since a comfortable last is crucial for the entire shoe, we are a bit nerdy about features like heel grip, space for toe movement, and a comfortable sole that follows the foot’s shape, Andreas and Lisa conclude.
