At Sneeboer, we’re once again consciously saying ‘No’ to Black Friday this year. Instead of joining in with the shopping frenzy and discounts, we’re opting for sustainable production, traditional craftsmanship and mindful consumption. In this article, you can read why we’re not taking part 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 that repairing, reusing and making conscious choices are more valuable than a short-lived Black Friday promotion.
Sneeboer says “No” to Black Friday: why we choose sustainability and craftsmanship
Sneeboer has made a conscious decision to say no to Black Friday. Whilst many companies focus on massive discounts and quick sales, we have chosen a different path: sustainability, craftsmanship and conscious consumption. This choice aligns perfectly with the values Sneeboer has stood for since 1913. By not taking part in Black Friday, we are underlining our mission to make tools that last for generations – and to inspire you to treat your belongings with greater care.
With this move, we are sending out a clear message: quality always trumps quantity, and true craftsmanship doesn’t need a discount week.
Why Sneeboer isn’t taking part
In recent years, Black Friday has grown into an international shopping frenzy. Overconsumption, short-lived impulse buys and low prices that come at the expense of fair production processes are common consequences of this sales event. At Sneeboer, this is not in keeping with who we are and what we make.
Our tools are forged entirely by hand by our team in our workshop in Bovenkarspel. Each tool undergoes more than twenty different stages: from heating and forging the steel to the careful finishing of the ash or cherry wood handle. This attention to detail and quality makes it not only impossible, but also undesirable, to take part in short-term promotional offers such as Black Friday.
Sustainability as part of everyday life, not just around Black Friday
Our decision not to take part in Black Friday is not an isolated one. Sustainability has been an integral part of our workshop for many 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 premises. These panels generate around 100,000 kWh of clean energy per year. Thanks to efficiency improvements, we now consume only around 60,000 kWh, which means we are 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 enabled us to replace the traditional coke-fired furnace. This has eliminated our reliance on fossil fuels for the forge fire and reduced our CO₂ emissions by over 12,000 kg per year.
In our metalworking operations, too, we make a conscious choice to use 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 reduced environmental impact. Where 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 residual material is sent for recycling, and rejected wooden handles are given a new lease of life as handles for hand tools. In this way, we keep waste to a minimum.
Taken 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
Rather than offering a discount, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on what you already own. A Sneeboer tool is made to last for the next generation.
That is why we are highlighting three conscious alternatives to Black Friday:
- Repairs. Our tools last for generations. Should wear and tear occur, there is often a solution. Our blacksmiths sharpen, straighten or polish tools so that they function at their best once again.
- Reuse. Well-maintained garden tools hardly lose any of their quality. By cleaning your tools regularly, giving them a light oiling and storing them in a dry place, the steel remains in top condition and lasts much longer.
- Mindful consumption. Buy only what you really need and prioritise quality over discounts. This principle is at the heart of everything we make and is more important to us than taking part 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 are 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 savings.
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 will last.
We invite you to take a critical look at your tools: does anything need servicing? Can you have a tool repaired? Or are you really missing a specific tool that you’ll get years of use out of?
Would you like to find out more about our approach to sustainability? Then do take a look at our sustainability page or get in touch with us – we’d be happy to discuss this with you.