Gerber
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
US brand of pocket knives, multi-tools and axes.
There's no proof Gerber pays more than the legal minimum, which in China and the United States is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in China, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From press and retailer reports; Gerber doesn't say where its products are made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Modern slavery statement
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
Research notes Gerber makes many of its knives and multi-tools, including premium, military and hunting lines, at its own factory in Portland, Oregon (USA); entry-level and mid-range products come from contract factories in China. No production shares or supplier list are published. Gerber is covered by Fiskars Group's supplier audits through amfori BSCI and Sedex, which publish no audit results or living wage commitment. No labour abuses tied to Gerber products have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Covered by Fiskars Group's 2025 modern slavery statement, which reports about 140 finished goods suppliers, amfori BSCI and Sedex membership, and no confirmed forced or child labour cases in 2025. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion and Electronics reports do not assess knife and tool brands like Gerber. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Where Are Gerber Knives Made & Who Owns The Company? (SlashGear) · search the archive · Majority of knives made in Portland, Oregon; entry and mid-range models from contract factories in China (May 2026)
- Gerber Suspension multi-tool - BCF · search the archive · Gerber multi-tools sold by BCF stores in Australia
Published by Gerber or its owner
- About Gerber · search the archive · Gerber designs and makes many knives and multi-tools in Portland, Oregon; part of Fiskars Group
- Get to know Business Area Fiskars - investor presentation, Nov 2025 · search the archive · Fiskars Group lists Portland (US) among its own factories
- Fiskars Group Supply Chain Due Diligence and Modern Slavery Statement 2025 · search the archive · Group-wide amfori BSCI and Sedex supplier audits; no confirmed forced or child labour in 2025
Company details
- Owned by
- Fiskars Group (Finland)
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Gerber ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/gerber, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Gerber.