Castle Mark is a leading office seating, lounge/motion seating, and sofa manufacturer located in Dong Guan, China. Its corporate headquarters are located in TaoYuan, Taiwan. Castle Mark’s recliner with electronic components is the first to become OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified under the “Special Articles” supplement. Its mission is to build trust through integrity, innovation, and quality, creating sustainable success for its partners, people, and the planet.

Castle Mark has taken a significant step forward in product safety and sustainability by achieving OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification for its finished products. Although the company had long been using certified PU materials, increasing buyer requests encouraged them to extend certification to their complete product range.

Castle Mark, a Taiwan-headquartered furniture maker with production in Dong Guan, China, has become the first to achieve OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification under the ‘Special Articles’ supplement for its recliners with electronic components.
Guided by TESTEX, the move boosts brand trust, sustainability credentials, and buyer confidence, positioning it as a pioneer in safe furniture.

Initially, Castle Mark was unsure whether certification would apply to its category, since the products combine textile and non-textile elements. With the guidance of TESTEX, which introduced the Special Articles Supplement and provided training, the process was completed successfully. This supplement clarifies which components must be tested, such as textile parts in contact with skin, and which are excluded, such as frames or mechanical elements.

The certification has already strengthened Castle Mark’s brand image. Buyers have welcomed the move, recognising the company as a pioneer in safe and sustainable furniture. Although certification was only received in August 2025, the company expects a steady rise in sales, supported by TESTEX’s marketing initiatives across social media, PR, and international exhibitions. More importantly, Castle Mark views the certification as a way in which it can contribute to the brand-building of its partners, ensuring shared growth.

While it is too early to track direct sales increases, the company believes the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label will boost buyer confidence, create new opportunities, and underpin long-term growth. Compared with other industry certifications, Castle Mark values OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 for its trusted, globally recognised system. The clear testing procedures, alignment with international legal requirements, and consumer recognition provide strong support for positioning Castle Mark as a responsible manufacturer.

Feedback from buyers and retail partners has been overwhelmingly positive, and Castle Mark is determined to communicate the certification widely. Beyond product labelling, the company integrates the achievement into its website, catalogues, brochures, and trade fair presentations. With TESTEX’s support, visibility will continue to grow across social and professional channels.

Castle Mark has also praised the collaboration with TESTEX, noting the organisation’s responsive guidance and hands-on support throughout the process. TESTEX representatives visited the factory twice, introduced the OEKO-TEX product range, and provided quick feedback whenever needed.

TESTEX’s Sales and Marketing Manager summed up the partnership: “We are very pleased to support Castle Mark on their journey towards OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification. This collaboration demonstrates how the Special Articles Supplement enables even complex finished products, such as furniture, to be certified according to OEKO-TEX criteria. By achieving this certification, Castle Mark not only ensures product safety but also strengthens trust with sustainability-focused buyers and consumers. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and promoting safe and sustainable development in the furniture industry.”

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)

Canada’s Roots announced on Wednesday sales were up 6.3% to $50.8 million for the quarter ended August 2, 2025, on the back of higher direct-to-consumer sales during the three months.

The lifestyle brand said DTC sales, made up of retail store and e-commerce sales, were $41.0 million, a 12.7% increase from $36.4 million in Q2 2024, driven by strong comparable sales growth of 17.8%. 

Despite the DTC gains, Partners & Other (P&O) sales, comprising of wholesale Roots branded products, licensing to select manufacturing partners and the sale of certain custom products, fell to $9.7 million in Q2 2025 down from $11.3 million in Q2 2024. The decline was due to lower wholesale sales, partially offset by continued momentum across the other lines of business within the segment.

Gross margin rose to 60.7%, up 430 basis points from last year, supported by stronger product margins and lower discounting. DTC gross margin improved to 63.2%, compared to 61.7% in Q2 2024.

Net loss narrowed to $4.4 million, or $0.11 per share, compared with a loss of $5.2 million, or $0.13 per share, in the prior year. On an adjusted basis, excluding the revaluation of share-based compensation, the loss would have been $4.0 million, a 26.8% year-over-year improvement.

“Roots delivered a strong second quarter with comparable sales up 17.8 percent, reflecting the strength of our brand and the resonance of our products with consumers,” said Meghan Roach, president and chief executive officer of Roots Corporation. 

“This momentum was supported by innovative collaborations, a compelling product assortment, and our focus on creating meaningful customer experiences. As we continue to strengthen our brand and deepen engagement with our loyal community, we are focused on creating long-term value.”

For the first half of fiscal 2025, Roots reported sales of $90.7 million, up 6.5%, with DTC sales up 11.6% and comparable sales up 16.1%. Net loss for the period was $12.3 million, improving from $14.1 million last year.

Looking ahead, Roach added that “While early in the third quarter, we continue to experience positive trends during the back-to-school period.”