Craftsmanship instead of mass production: why Summita deliberately manufactures its own products
The search for a suitable manufacturer led to the establishment of Summita's own factory in Thun. Summita stands for uncompromising quality, proximity, and genuine craftsmanship.
What began as a search for a suitable producer led to a fundamental decision.
Not out of conviction, but initially out of necessity.
The original idea behind Summita was clear: a mobile outdoor sauna that is high-quality, durable, and allows regular sauna use in everyday life. To achieve this, Michael Beyer first looked for a manufacturer abroad. The requirements were high, the discussions numerous, but the result remained sobering.
When the first finished sample was ready, it quickly became clear that this was not how Summita should look. Not in terms of workmanship, not in terms of detail, not in terms of standards. There were only two options: abandon the project or take a different path.
That different path led to Thun.
Instead of making external compromises, they set up their own factory. A place where materials are tested, cuts are adjusted, and details are carefully decided. Today, every Summita is sewn by hand, with experience, care, and a clear focus on quality.
A central component of this is the principle of design to repair. Summita is not intended to last for one season, but for many years. Repairable, durable, and designed so that individual parts can be replaced or adjusted. Not as a trend, but as an attitude toward resources, craftsmanship, and use.
The decision to manufacture in-house means proximity to the product, the materials, and the people who work on it. It allows us to take responsibility for quality and also for the way in which it is produced.
The Berner Zeitung newspaper also followed how this path came about. The article provides an in-depth insight into the beginnings, challenges, and convictions behind Summita.
👉 You can find the full article from the Berner Zeitung here
