Inside Tatonka: Open Factory, Real Transparency, And Why It Matters

Inside Tatonka: Open Factory, Real Transparency, and Why It Matters

In the outdoor industry, transparency is talked about a lot; but genuinely practiced far less often. Too often it feels driven by retailer checklists or marketing campaigns, rather than a deep commitment to doing the right thing.

At Trailsprout, we spend a lot of time looking beyond product specs and greenwashing. We want to understand how outdoor gear is made, who makes it, and whether a brand’s values hold up when you look a little closer.

That’s why Tatonka stands out.

Tatonka is one of the very few outdoor brands in the world that not only manufactures in its own factories, but also opens those factories to the public. And it isn’t a polished showroom or a carefully curated tour: It’s real production, real people, and real accountability - karaoke machine during lunch break and all.

It’s a tour the team at Trailsprout has completed twice, and that first-hand experience is a big reason we’re proud to stock and support the brand.

What Is the Tatonka Open Factory?

The Tatonka Open Factory program allows retailers, partners and even end customers to visit Tatonka’s production facilities in Vietnam.

Visitors walk through active manufacturing floors, see materials being cut and sewn, and observe quality control processes as they happen. You meet staff, management and on-the-ground teams; not just brand reps.

In an industry where supply chains are often outsourced, fragmented and opaque, this level of access is genuinely rare.

Why Owning the Factory Changes Everything

Many outdoor brands rely on third-party factories. While there are pros and cons to both models, even well-intentioned companies can have limited visibility and influence once production is outsourced.

Tatonka takes a different approach. As a German, family-owned business, Tatonka owns and operates its production facilities in Vietnam under the name Mountech Co. Ltd.

This matters because it enables:

• Direct responsibility for working conditions
• Long-term investment in staff, infrastructure and safety
• Consistent quality control
• Transparent communication with partners and customers

When a brand owns its factory, there’s nowhere to hide, and far less incentive to cut corners.

A Retailer’s Perspective: Why the Open Factory Is Genuine

Having visited the Open Factory personally, what stands out most is how normal it feels, in the best possible way.

There’s no attempt to stage-manage the experience. You see real production days, real workflows and real conversations. Questions aren’t deflected. Difficult topics aren’t avoided. That openness builds trust quickly; even over a shared canteen lunch with the production team.

For retailers, this matters. Being able to stand behind a product doesn’t just come from testing it outdoors; it comes from understanding the people and processes behind it. It’s not a marketing exercise. It’s a statement of confidence.

Traceability by Tatonka: Transparency Beyond the Factory Floor

Factory visits are powerful - but not everyone can travel to Vietnam. That’s where Traceability by Tatonka comes in.

Traceability by Tatonka is an online tool that allows customers to follow the journey of a product from material sourcing through to final delivery.

By entering a product code, customers can see:

• Where materials are sourced
• Where manufacturing takes place
• How the product moves through production and logistics

This level of transparency is still extremely uncommon in the outdoor industry, especially at scale.

Real Investment in Sustainability, Not Short-Term Claims

Tatonka’s transparency is backed by tangible, long-term investment - particularly in renewable energy.

At its Binh Dinh production facility in Vietnam, Tatonka has progressively expanded its on-site solar power system:

• August 2023: Solar panels installed on the factory roof began covering around 65% of electricity needs
• 2024 expansion: The solar system was significantly expanded
• Since December 2024: The facility has operated on 100% solar power, producing surplus electricity that is fed back into the national grid

In total, 1,612 solar panels now generate an average of 5,200 kWh per day, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 1.5 million kilograms each year compared to fossil fuel-based power generation.

Importantly, these systems were entirely self-financed, without subsidies.

As Tatonka owner and CEO Andreas Schechinger explains, this approach only works because production is in-house; investments are made where improvements are immediate, measurable and transparent.

Why This Matters for Families and Outdoor Communities

When families choose outdoor gear, they’re not just buying products; they’re supporting systems.

Transparency, fair working conditions and environmental responsibility aren’t abstract ideas. They affect real people, real communities and the places we’re encouraging families to explore and protect.

Tatonka’s Open Factory and Traceability programs make those connections visible.

Why Trailsprout Chooses to Work With Tatonka

At Trailsprout, we believe good outdoor gear should make it easier to get outside… without creating harm elsewhere.

Tatonka’s willingness to open its factory doors, invest long-term in its people and energy systems, and communicate honestly about its supply chain aligns strongly with our values.

Having seen it first-hand, we’re confident saying: this transparency is real.

And in an industry where trust matters, that makes all the difference.