At Sneeboer, we are also deliberately saying “No” to Black Friday this year. Instead of participating in buying frenzy and discounts, we are opting for sustainable production, traditional craftsmanship and mindful consumption. In this article you can read why we don’t participate in Black Friday, how we invest daily in a cleaner and future-proof workplace – including our own solar energy, induction heating and circular metalwork – and why we believe repairing, reusing and making conscious choices are worth more than a short Black Friday promotion.
Sneeboer says “No” to Black Friday: why we choose sustainability and craftsmanship
Sneeboer deliberately says no to Black Friday. While many companies bet on massive discounts and quick sales, we choose a different course: sustainability, craftsmanship and conscious consumption. This choice fits seamlessly 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 conscious with your stuff.
This move sends a clear message: quality always wins over quantity, and true craftsmanship does not need a discount week.
Why Sneeboer is not participating
Black Friday has become an international buying frenzy in recent years. Overconsumption, short-term impulse purchases and low prices at the expense of fair production processes are common consequences of this day of action. At Sneeboer, this does not fit with who we are and what we make.
Our tools are forged by our team 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 to go along with temporary price stunts such as Black Friday.
Sustainability as an everyday 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 workplace for many years. Behind the scenes, we continuously invest in cleaner technologies, more efficient processes and production with 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 provide about 100,000 kWh of clean energy per year. Thanks to efficiency improvements, we now consume only about 60,000 kWh, which means we now even feed green energy back into the grid.
Since 2023, we have been heating our steel with a Himmelwerk induction generator, powered entirely by our own solar energy. With this, we have replaced the traditional coke fire. Dependence on fossil fuels thus disappears from the forge fire and our CO₂ emissions are reduced by over 12,000 kg per year.
In our metalworking, too, we consciously choose modern, cleaner techniques. With the switch to a Border 12 kW plate laser, we cut steel without water or abrasive material, up to 77 times faster than before. That means less waste, lower energy costs and a smaller environmental impact. Whenever possible, we use laser welding, an energy-efficient method that is precise and requires less rework.
We also actively pursue circular production. All residual material goes to recycling and rejected wooden stems are given new life as handles for hand tools. This is how we keep waste to a minimum.
Together, these steps show that our sustainable choices extend far beyond a single day of action or a Black Friday campaign: it is an ongoing investment in a cleaner, more efficient and future-proof workplace.
Repair and reuse: a sustainable alternative
Instead of discounting, we invite you to consciously consider what you already own. A Sneeboer tool is made to reach the next generation.
That’s why we highlight three conscious alternatives to Black Friday:
What does our choice mean for you as a customer?
For you as a customer, nothing actually changes in our day-to-day operations. We don’t have Black Friday deals, but what you get in return is value that lasts much longer.
You can trust that each tool is forged with complete attention and craftsmanship. You’re investing in a tool that will last not just one season, but a lifetime. And you are 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 life cycle. Instead, Sneeboer stands for attention, quality and generations of sustainable gardening. By consciously saying no to Black Friday, we hope more people think about what they buy, how it was produced and how long it will last.
We invite you to look critically at your tools: does something need maintenance? Can you get a tool repaired? Or are you really missing a specific tool that you are going to enjoy for years to come?
Want to know more about our vision for sustainability? Then take a look at our sustainability page or contact us – we’d love to think with you.