America’s Premier Sock Maker Furthers its Commitment to Sustainability
Darn Tough Vermont, the fastest growing American manufacturer of premium performance outdoor and lifestyle socks, has hired Matthew Jacobs to its first-ever role dedicated entirely to sustainability. As Sustainability Manager, Jacobs will lead efforts toward enhancing sustainable practices for the Vermont-based sock maker across all departments, working internally and externally with customers and suppliers toward future sustainability goals, and supporting the brand’s strong focus on community development.
Working with the Darn Tough team in Northfield, Vermont, the “Sock Capital of the World”, Jacobs will lead a comprehensive approach to sustainability. For Darn Tough, sustainability encompasses not only reducing environmental impact and improving supply chain efficiencies. It also includes furthering the brand’s commitment to its community in and around Northfield, and to the people behind the brand, some of whom have worked at Cabot Hosiery Mills for generations.
Jacobs brings experience in corporate sustainability, strategy, marketing, analytics and operations for various companies in Seattle, NYC and Silicon Valley. In recent years, Jacobs turned his focus exclusively toward sustainability, studying “Sustainability and Environmental Management” at Harvard University, with an emphasis on the apparel and fashion industry.
“As we continue to recruit top talent, adding Matt and his role is a major step toward doubling down on our commitment to sustainability,” says Ric Cabot, owner of Darn Tough. “Matt is a true expert and comes to Darn Tough with a holistic view of sustainable practices, from our environmental footprint, to how we support our community both here in the mill and our local impact in Northfield. Matt will be focused on finding ways to bring Darn Tough forward as a leader in sustainability, as best practices continue to evolve here in Vermont, the U.S., and globally.”
“Darn Tough makes socks that are guaranteed for life. There is inherent sustainability in the manufacturing of a product built to last,” says Jacobs. “In U.S. and in global manufacturing, we are witnessing what may be the most critical transformation in the history of business and humanity at large with the opportunity to innovate through the lens of sustainability. What drew me toward Darn Tough is the brand’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing people and community, and the openness to look at all aspects of becoming a more sustainable business while knowing that this is a continuous journey.”
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, running, skiing, climbing, cycling, and surfing have been lifelong pursuits for Jacobs, all of which he now enjoys in new ways with his two young daughters.
