Located near Calcutta in the West Indian state of West Bengal the factories of Gloster Ltd. produce jute already since 1872. The comapany’s current structure was esablished in 1992 and nowadays it has more than 5,000 employees, almost all of them are pemanent workers. Besides classic jute products as bags, treads and twines they manaufacture home textiles as well as textiles for agriculture, construction and geo-textiles (e.g. nets that protect the soil from erosion). Gloster Ltd. generated most of its sales on the local market. They export their products to 25 countries all over the world, above all to Europe.

Gloster Ltd. attaches high value to sustainability on all levels of corporate management, starting at consumption of water and energy going to transparent management getting to supply chain management and worker rights. But Gloster Ltd. gets involved even beyond the company’s enclosure. They support for example education and health projects in the rural surroundings. Another initiative is a program that enables local farmers to invest in oragnic jute and to generate a secure income due to Gloster Ltd.’s guaranteed purchase paying a price above the market level. Thanks to FairTradeCenter Breisgau the certified organic jute farmers get an extra bonus in terms of the Fair Trade premium.