When we ask a customer why they chose AKINOM a second time, the answer often comes back to the material and the support. Rarely to the question that we should, however, ask ourselves more often: where, and by whom, was this underwear made. At AKINOM, the answer has been the same since 2021: in Guimarães, Portugal. Why AKINOM manufactures in Portugal rather than in Asia Portugal is home to some of the most recognized textile expertise in Europe, particularly for jersey and underwear. From its inception, AKINOM made the choice to entrust its production to a European workshop rather than a distant subcontractor: a direct relationship with the manufacturer, without intermediaries, and a distance that allows for real quality control rather than control via documents. This choice has a cost. It has never been presented as a price argument, but as a guarantee: that of knowing precisely under what conditions each piece is crafted. What Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification guarantees in practice All materials used by AKINOM are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. In practice, this certification guarantees that no substances harmful to health are present in the finished textile, at a threshold controlled and tested independently, at every stage of production, from fiber to finished product. For a garment worn in direct contact with the skin all day long, this guarantee is not a marketing detail. It is the reason why AKINOM only works with certified materials, without exception. From yarn to finished product: the manufacturing steps of an AKINOM garment The manufacturing of an AKINOM piece follows a precise path: Selection and inspection of raw material (certified organic cotton) Knitting of the jersey in Portuguese workshops Cutting and assembly, including the integration of the FrontNest® system Piece-by-piece quality control before shipping Transport to France for order preparation Each step takes place at the same partner, which limits the breaks in traceability often found when the material, construction, and finishing are spread across several countries. What European manufacturing changes for the customer In practice, this means three things for the person wearing AKINOM on a daily basis: a material whose safety is certified and not just claimed, consistency in quality from one piece to the next because the same workshop makes the entire range, and a brand that can answer the question "where is it made" precisely rather than bypassing it. Frequently asked questions Why doesn't AKINOM manufacture in France? Fine textile construction, particularly for jersey and underwear, has largely disappeared from the French industrial landscape. Portugal has preserved and developed this expertise, with specialized workshops capable of guaranteeing the quality and consistency sought by AKINOM. What is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification? It is an independent textile certification that guarantees the absence of substances harmful to human health, tested at every stage of manufacturing. All AKINOM materials are certified. Does manufacturing in Portugal have an impact on the price? Certified European manufacturing is structurally more expensive than low-cost outsourced production. It is a choice made by AKINOM, which prioritizes traceability and quality over margins. Discover the collection made in Portugal →
When we ask a customer why they chose AKINOM a second time, the answer often comes back to the material and the support. Rarely to the question that we should, however, ask ourselves more often: where, and by whom, was this underwear made. At AKINOM, the answer has been the same since 2021: in Guimarães, Portugal.Why AKINOM manufactures in Portugal rather than in AsiaPortugal is home to some of the most recognized textile expertise in Europe, particularly for jersey and underwear. From its inception, AKINOM made the choice to entrust its production to a European workshop rather than a distant subcontractor: a direct relationship with the manufacturer, without intermediaries, and a distance that allows for real quality control rather than control via documents.This choice has a cost. It has never been presented as a price argument, but as a guarantee: that of knowing precisely under what conditions each piece is crafted.What Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification guarantees in practiceAll materials used by AKINOM are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. In practice, this certification guarantees that no substances harmful to health are present in the finished textile, at a threshold controlled and tested independently, at every stage of production, from fiber to finished product.For a garment worn in direct contact with the skin all day long, this guarantee is not a marketing detail. It is the reason why AKINOM only works with certified materials, without exception.From yarn to finished product: the manufacturing steps of an AKINOM garmentThe manufacturing of an AKINOM piece follows a precise path:Selection and inspection of raw material (certified organic cotton)Knitting of the jersey in Portuguese workshopsCutting and assembly, including the integration of the FrontNest® systemPiece-by-piece quality control before shippingTransport to France for order preparationEach step takes place at the same partner, which limits the breaks in traceability often found when the material, construction, and finishing are spread across several countries.What European manufacturing changes for the customerIn practice, this means three things for the person wearing AKINOM on a daily basis: a material whose safety is certified and not just claimed, consistency in quality from one piece to the next because the same workshop makes the entire range, and a brand that can answer the question "where is it made" precisely rather than bypassing it.Frequently asked questionsWhy doesn't AKINOM manufacture in France?Fine textile construction, particularly for jersey and underwear, has largely disappeared from the French industrial landscape. Portugal has preserved and developed this expertise, with specialized workshops capable of guaranteeing the quality and consistency sought by AKINOM.What is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification?It is an independent textile certification that guarantees the absence of substances harmful to human health, tested at every stage of manufacturing. All AKINOM materials are certified.Does manufacturing in Portugal have an impact on the price?Certified European manufacturing is structurally more expensive than low-cost outsourced production. It is a choice made by AKINOM, which prioritizes traceability and quality over margins.Discover the collection made in Portugal →
