Our sewing factory
The strength of having our own sewing factory
Since 1998, our products have been sewn at our sewing factory, Avadan. Located centrally in Marijampoles, Lithuania, our sewing factory employs 270 skilled seamstresses and workers.
We are in daily contact with the sewing factory and work very closely with our colleagues in Lithuania. We also visit the site several times a year. The work at the factory is overseen by Vita, the factory director and Skirma, the head of manufacturing. Vita and Skirma have both celebrated their 30-year anniversary at the factory. Deep, decade-long relationships like these are a priceless asset and of great value to us. Meet both women as well as our seamstress, Erika, from Avadan here.
Working conditions
The seamstresses work 40 hours a week – a five-day work week, eight hours a day. They used to work two shifts which meant they would return home late every second week, because the work in the second shift ended at 10 p.m. In 2007, however, that was changed, and the seamstresses started working one shift, so they could have their nights off – free to spend their evenings with family or engage in other recreational activities. The change meant investing in more equipment and an expansion of the premises. The investment was definitely worth it – because it meant our colleagues in Lithuania could have a better work-life balance.
The factory is equipped with some of the finest machinery available in apparel manufacturing. Each workstation is equipped with detailed instructions - next to the sewing machines - and explanations on how to sew a product according to the instruction of the model. This work is performed by the shift operatives, sewing technologists, and instructors. It is a concrete and exact explanation about every sewing operation.
The sewing machines are serviced regularly by highly skilled mechanics. We have a wide range of products for children and adults, and to ensure that every machine is set correctly for the specific product, our experienced mechanics handle and oversee these important settings.
To get to know one of our valued mechanics, meet Albinas who has worked at our sewing factory for 26 years. We always use premium threads and other accessories that are necessary for the sewing of every model.
We also installed an “air pull system” adapted to each sewing machine. The dust formed during the sewing process is pulled to special containers. Thus, the working environment in the factory is much cleaner and healthier.
Both good working conditions
and compensation are important factors
to retain skilled workers – which is something
we place great value on.
We operate with two payment systems - a fixed salary and a salary according to the output rates. Our employees stay with us for a long time – and fair compensation is a contributing factor.
Production in Ukraine
In 2022, we commenced production in Ukraine.
Due to an increased demand, we have needed to expand our production capacity. It has always been our wish to keep production capacity in Europe because of the proximity to our own facilities in Lithuania, which means decreased CO2 emissions.
Ukraine had been on our radar for quite some time, even prior to the war, because they are recognised sewing manufacturers known for their excellent skills working with textiles and their high quality of work.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, we decided to terminate our collaboration with the Belarussian sewing facility, Lubawa. This decision increased our need for more capacity even further.
We are thankful for the collaboration with a skilled Ukrainian sewing manufacturer. At the same time, we are happy to show our support to Ukraine by generating local jobs in a time when they are at war.
Sewing factories
Avadan, Lithuania
We shuttle our employees at the factory to and from work in two buses, so they don’t have to worry about their own transport. We have two modern canteens where the employees can eat and hang out with their colleagues over a cup of coffee during breaks.
The employees don’t work during the holidays, and instead have time off work to spend with their loved ones. Each year at Christmas, employees receive company gifts as a token of our appreciation for their excellent work.
Quality assurance is a big part of the day-to-day business at Avadan. The seamstresses produce the very best quality products. Before leaving the factory, the products go through a quality assurance and inspection to make sure our high-quality standards are upheld.
Sewn products get to the unit of control-packing, every product is inspected thoroughly, and the excess threads left after the sewing operations are cut away. The products that comply with the quality requirements are classified as those of sort 1 and defected ones – of sort 2 or 3. Once quality inspections are done, the products are tidily packed according to model, colour, and size and shipped to our warehouse in Denmark.
Lesya, Ukraine
The Lesya Factory is based in the city of Novohrad-Volynskyi in the North-western part of Ukraine. Lesya is a modern sewing and production facility with advanced equipment, employing skilled workers with extensive sewing knowledge.
The product quality at Lesya is required to meet our high standards, just like our own Lithuanian sewing facility, Avadan. Being a recognised subcontractor to other textile manufacturers, Lesya has thoroughly tested quality control systems, which is also evident in the products that we receive.
Currently, we have 30 seamstresses sewing for DILLING. The goal for 2023 is to increase the number of seamstresses to 50 and to produce 12.000 pieces of clothing a week.
The wages at Lesya are carried out in accordance with the European Labour standards. Lesya employees also receive social packages which include insurance, preferential food, and transfer to and from work.
Novodan, Ukraine
In 2025, we became co-owners of a new sewing facility, Novodan, which we helped establish in the city of Zhytomyr. The ownership is shared equally between DILLING and Lesya.
The name Novodan was chosen by the employees themselves and draws inspiration from the Ukrainian word “novo”, meaning “new”, as well as from the word “Danmark” in Danish, meaning Denmark, and the Lithuanian sewing facility Avadan, which we have owned since 1998.
Today, Novodan employs more than 100 people, and this number is expected to grow to around 300 in the coming years. The strong collaboration and close relationship we have built with Lesya makes this co-ownership a natural extension of our partnership. Lesya has extensive experience in textile production, and Novodan is founded on the same principles of high quality and fair working conditions.
Amfori BSCI
At DILLING, we are a member of Amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative).
We regularly conduct audits through an independent third party, where our supply chain – including our sewing and cutting facility – is ranked according to the Amfori BSCI Code of Conduct. This is based on international conventions and the UN's principles for business and human rights.
This is your guarantee that we are committed to following the code's 13 specific principles and values to give employees good working conditions, such as reasonable working hours, fair wages, and a work life free from discrimination.
The ranking goes from A to E, where A is the highest rating, you can achieve.
The ratings of Avadan and Lesya
In the latest audit, Avadan achieved an A, the highest possible rating.
To access the report from Avadan, click here.
In 2021, Lesya also achieved the highest possible rating – an impressive A.
Lesya was supposed to undergo a new independent third-party BSCI Audit in 2023 to renew its current rating, but because of the war it is not possible to audit companies in Ukraine because it needs to be undertaken physically by a third-party organisation.
We are in close dialogue with Lesya, and we expect and have great confidence that they will maintain their high standards and principles and ensure their workers the best possible terms under the current conditions in Ukraine. As soon as the circumstances allow, Lesya will work on undertaking a new audit.
To access the latest report from Lesya, click here.
Like Lesya, Novodan will be BSCI-certified as soon as it is once again possible to carry out independent audits in Ukraine.
Sub-suppliers in Croatia and Lithuania
To accommodate the growing need for production capacity, we also collaborate with a small number of sub-suppliers in Croatia and Lithuania. Like our own sewing facilities in Lithuania and Ukraine, our sub-suppliers meet high standards for social responsibility, and all hold a BSCI A rating.
Here, you can access the latest Amfori BSCI reports from our sub-suppliers in Croatia and Lithuania.
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