At Sneeboer, we’re once again consciously saying “No” to Black Friday this year. Instead of joining in on the shopping frenzy and discounts, we’re choosing sustainable production, traditional craftsmanship, and mindful consumption. In this article, you’ll learn why we don’t participate in Black Friday, how we invest daily in a cleaner and future-proof workshop—including our own solar power, induction heating, and circular metalworking—and why we believe repairing, reusing, and making conscious choices are more valuable than a short-lived Black Friday sale.
Sneeboer Says “No” to Black Friday: Why We Choose Sustainability and Craftsmanship
Sneeboer has made a conscious decision to opt out of Black Friday. While many companies focus on massive discounts and quick sales, we’ve chosen a different path: sustainability, craftsmanship, and mindful consumption. This choice aligns perfectly with the values Sneeboer has stood for since 1913. By not participating in Black Friday, we underscore our mission to make tools that last for generations—and to inspire you to be more mindful about how you use your belongings.
With this step, we are sending a clear message: quality always trumps quantity, and true craftsmanship doesn’t need a sale week.
Why Sneeboer Isn’t Participating
In recent years, Black Friday has grown into an international shopping frenzy. Overconsumption, short-lived impulse purchases, and low prices that come at the expense of fair production processes are common consequences of this promotional event. At Sneeboer, this does not align with who we are and what we make.
Our team forges all of our tools entirely by hand in our workshop in Bovenkarspel. Each tool goes through more than twenty different steps: from heating and forging the steel to carefully finishing the ash or cherry wood handle. This attention to detail and quality makes it not only impossible but also undesirable for us to participate in temporary price promotions such as Black Friday.
Sustainability as a daily practice, not just around Black Friday
Our decision not to participate in Black Friday is not an isolated one. Sustainability has been an integral part of our workshop for years. Behind the scenes, we are constantly investing in cleaner technologies, more efficient processes, and production methods that have the least possible impact on the environment.
We reached an important milestone in 2020 when we installed 332 solar panels on the roof of our building. These panels generate approximately 100,000 kWh of clean energy per year. Thanks to efficiency improvements, we now consume only about 60,000 kWh, which means we’re even feeding green energy back into the grid.
Since 2023, we have been heating our steel using a Himmelwerk induction generator, powered entirely by our own solar energy. This has allowed us to replace the traditional coke fire. As a result, our forge is no longer dependent on fossil fuels, and our CO₂ emissions have been reduced by more than 12,000 kg per year.
In our metalworking operations, too, we consciously choose modern, cleaner techniques. With the switch to a Border 12 kW sheet metal laser cutter, we cut steel without water or abrasive materials—up to 77 times faster than before. This results in less waste, lower energy costs, and a smaller environmental impact. Whenever possible, we use laser welding, an energy-efficient method that is highly precise and requires less post-processing.
In addition, we are actively committed to circular production. All leftover material is sent for recycling, and rejected wooden handles are given a new lease on life as handles for hand tools. This way, we keep waste to a minimum.
Together, these steps demonstrate that our sustainable choices extend far beyond a single day of action or a Black Friday campaign: they represent an ongoing investment in a cleaner, more efficient, and future-proof workplace.
Repair and Reuse: A Sustainable Alternative
Instead of offering a discount, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on what you already own. A Sneeboer tool is built to last for the next generation.
That’s why we’re highlighting three mindful alternatives to Black Friday:
- Repairs. Our tools last for generations. If wear and tear does occur, there is often a solution. Our blacksmiths sharpen, straighten, or polish tools so they function optimally again.
- Reuse. Well-maintained garden tools hardly lose any of their quality. By cleaning them regularly, lightly oiling them, and storing them in a dry place, the steel stays in top condition and lasts much longer.
- Mindful consumption. Buy only what you really need, and choose quality over discounts. This principle is at the heart of everything we make and is more important to us than participating in Black Friday sales.
What does our decision mean for you as a customer?
For you as a customer, nothing really changes in our day-to-day operations. We don’t have any Black Friday deals, but what you get in return is value that lasts much longer.
You can be confident that every tool has been forged with the utmost care and craftsmanship. You’re investing in a tool that will last not just one season, but a lifetime. And you’re contributing to a more sustainable world, simply by consciously choosing quality over short-term discounts.
Together, we make a difference—before, during, and after Black Friday
Black Friday is all about quick profits and products with a short lifespan. Sneeboer, on the other hand, stands for care, quality, and generations of sustainable gardening. By consciously saying no to Black Friday, we hope that more people will think about what they buy, how it’s produced, and how long it lasts.
We invite you to take a critical look at your tools: Does anything need maintenance? Can you have a tool repaired? Or are you really missing a specific tool that you’ll enjoy using for years to come?
Would you like to learn more about our approach to sustainability? Then take a look at our sustainability page or contact us—we’d be happy to discuss this with you.