Draft:Yumeko (company)


Yumeko
IndustryRetail, E-commerce
Founded2010
FoundersRob van den Dool, Stephan Zeijlemaker
HeadquartersAmsterdam
Key people
Rob van den Dool (CEO)
ProductsHome goods, bedding, duvets, pillows, mattresses, bath, household items
Number of employees
25-50
Websitewww.yumeko.nl

Yumeko is a Dutch textile company offering sustainable home and bath products, including bedding, blankets, and towels. Yumeko emphasizes corporate social responsibility, focusing on fair trade[1]and sustainability[2] by collaborating with producers across twelve different countries.

Yumeko is a social enterprise[3] and has been a certified B Corp since 2022.[4][5] The company’s headquarters are in Amsterdam.[6]

The name "Yumeko" comes from a Japanese girl's name combining the words "Yume" and "Ko," meaning "dream child" or "dream girl."

History

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Yumeko was founded in 2010 by Rob van den Dool and Stephan Zeijlemaker.[7] Together, they led the company until 2017, when Van den Dool became CEO. In December 2017, Zeijlemaker stepped down from management but remained a shareholder.

The company's social mission is "Change The World Sleeping"[8] to reform the bedding and bath industry from within, improving production chains[9].

Yumeko operates in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, and Austria.[10] The 2021 revenue was estimated at around 10 million euros.[11]

Production Chain

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Yumeko offers a recycling service for down and mattresses and has a recycling program for hotel-sourced down.[12][13] Recovered down is used in new duvets and pillows.

The company works with producers and farmer cooperatives to improve positive impact.[14] Yumeko is certified by various organizations ensuring responsible supply chains, including FairTrade[15] and GOTS.[16]

Yumeko publishes an annual Impact Report on their website, detailing their supply chains and the outcomes of their social mission since 2012.[17]

Certifications

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Yumeko products are certified under various labels:

  • B Corp: A global certification ensuring sustainable practices across five pillars: environment, community, employees, customers, and governance.
  • GOTS: The leading standard for organic textiles, with strict requirements for the entire production process.
  • Downpass: Certification for down and feathers, with criteria for animal welfare and product quality.
  • Global Recycled Standard: Applies to products made with at least 20% recycled material.
  • Fairtrade: Guarantees fair pricing and trade conditions for small-scale producers.
  • Nomite: Indicates that products are suitable for those with dust mite allergies.
  • FSC: Ensures responsible forest management for materials used.
  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100: Certifies that products are free from harmful substances.
  • QUL: German certification for environmentally friendly natural latex mattresses.

Awards

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  • 2011: Best Starting Web Store Award - Thuiswinkel.org[18]
  • 2020: Sustainable Design Award for recycled down duvet.[19]
  • 2022: Bronze FD Gazellen Award for fastest growth in West Netherlands.[20]
  • 2022: Best Buy title from Consumentenbond for recycled down duvet.[21]
  • 2022: Sustainability Award at the Shopping Awards.[22]
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Category:Fair trade brands Category:Companies based in Amsterdam Category:B Lab-certified corporations Category:Products and the environment Category:Sustainability Category:Sustainable business

References

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  1. ^ Fairtrade NL update on Clean & Green villages project with Yumeko
  2. ^ Ecochain Podcast on Sustainability
  3. ^ Yumeko Membership - Social Enterprise NL
  4. ^ Yumeko B Corp Certification
  5. ^ "Yumeko achieves prestigious B Corp status". The Optimist (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  6. ^ Winner of the Shopping Awards - Duurzaam Ondernemen
  7. ^ Yumeko transforming the cotton industry - De Telegraaf
  8. ^ Yumeko’s Impact Mission
  9. ^ Yumeko wants to Change The World Sleeping
  10. ^ Yumeko expands into four European countries - Duurzaam Ondernemen
  11. ^ Rob den Dool: 'This allows us to make real impact' - Marketing Tribune
  12. ^ Yumeko launches down recycling service
  13. ^ Yumeko recycles down pillows from Conscious Hotels
  14. ^ Chetna Initiative Support - Apparel Resources
  15. ^ Yumeko - Fairtrade Netherlands Partner
  16. ^ Yumeko - GOTS Supplier
  17. ^ Yumeko Impact Reports
  18. ^ Yumeko wins Best Web Store Award - MarketingFacts
  19. ^ Yumeko wins Flinders Sustainable Design Award
  20. ^ Yumeko wins Bronze FD Gazellen Award
  21. ^ Best tested duvet - Nu.nl
  22. ^ Yumeko wins Sustainability Award - Duurzaam Ondernemen