KoKoTé manufactory

5 highlights of the KoKoTé manufactory

• The manufactory uses ecologically valuable materials for production. They are obtained, for example, as plastic waste from landfills and oceans (fishing nets).
• You can observe the production process during a guided tour of the factory and look directly over the shoulders of the employees.
• Each employee manufactures the products themselves in all the necessary work steps.
• The team of craftsmen is made up of people from a number of different cultures.
• The products meet the highest quality standards in Switzerland and can also be purchased on site.

The origins of the KoKoTé manufactory

Manufaktur is part of the JLT Company and was founded in Schattdorf in 2019. As part of the integration work for refugees, the idea of founding a company to provide education and integration was born back in 2015. "Have happiness and pass on happiness" was the motto.

They first started in a garage, later in a former restaurant and then in a 4-room apartment. Since 2019, the employees have been producing in an area of over 400 m2 in the industrial district of Schattdorf.

The name KoKoTé now stands for Swiss quality, sustainability and modern design.

KoKoTé means "where to?" in Swahili

Shared success in the KoKoTé manufactory

Shared success is very important at Manufaktur KoKoTé. The development of a new product is a co-creative process. Each person's contribution has value. The team developed the product, not the designer, according to the philosophy of the young company.

The number of employees has now grown to 31 and some of them work on a voluntary basis. Including the founding couple.

The employees come from the following countries:

• Somalia
• Nigeria
• Syria
• Afghanistan
• Palestine
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Turkey,
• Denmark
• Portugal
• Germany
• Switzerland

This team is therefore multicultural and each member is trained and supported individually, depending on their personal requirements.

The Materials Used in the KoKoTé Manufactory

The materials used in the KoKoTé manufactory are ecologically valuable. ECONYL® and Bonded Leather are utilized.

ECONYL® nylon is created from plastic that originates from oceans and landfills. It is equivalent to newly manufactured nylon, with the advantage of being able to be recycled repeatedly.

Bonded Leather is also a recycled product. It is made from vegetable-tanned leather scraps of genuine leather and natural latex. The leather fiber material is also called Salpa and is durable, even though it is very lightweight. Over 90% of Bonded Leather is made from renewable resources.

Guided tours through the KoKoTé manufactory

Private guided tours through the young manufactory last about 90 minutes and give you a direct view of the bag production process. Each employee manufactures their own product in all the necessary steps.

This makes the small manufactory particularly appealing. Here, special emphasis is placed on good Swiss quality work. Incidentally, there is very little waste here, as new small accessories are always being made from leftovers.

There are sales outlets here in the manufactory, in Zurich and in Basel.

How to get to the KoKoTé factory

KoKoTé is located in the industrial district of Schattdorf, south of Altdorf in the canton of Uri. Schattdorf lies to the south-east of Lake Lucerne and within the Lucerne and Lake Lucerne tourist region.

By train

From Lucerne you can reach Schattdorf in about 90 minutes via Schwyz. In Flüelen, take bus no. 401 to the bus stop Schattdorf, Rossgiessen. From here, it's about a 9-minute walk (650 m) to the KoKoTé - Bags & Accessories factory.

By car

You can reach the Schattdorfer Manufaktur by car from Lucerne in less than 40 minutes via the A2 and Flüelen.