SME / SUSTAINABILITY

By FedEx | October 8, 2024

Inspired by Bali’s beauty, Suma Artha Nyoman founded Balizen, a fair trade, eco-friendly brand that champions slow fashion and inclusivity. Learn how Balizen’s e-commerce strategy is helping them expand to global markets while staying rooted in local traditions.

• Since 1992, Balinese eco-brand Balizen has promoted traditional Balinese handicrafts and integrated eco-friendly practices into every aspect of its operations.
• The brand is committed to using sustainable materials and fostering a deep respect for Bali’s local traditions, working with family-owned or village co-operatives.
• Balizen works with FedEx to offer eco-conscious shipping solutions that help reduce environmental impact while maintaining a strong presence in international markets.

For over 30 years, Balizen has been at the center of the fair trade and sustainability movement in Indonesia. Established in 1992, this family-owned business integrates sustainable and ethical commerce principles into every aspect of its operations.

Balizen curates traditional, indigenous village handicrafts to ensure these treasures can be enjoyed by future generations. Their designs blend the Zen traditions of craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, creating a unique line of ethical products that appeal to a global audience. Tourists who visit Balizen’s stores in Jakarta or popular Bali destinations like Ubud and Seminyak can also take a piece of the island home.

A commitment to sustainability and culture

“As a proud native of Bali, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to preserving our rich Balinese culture and spearheading efforts for a greener, more sustainable future for the island”, shares Balizen’s director and founder, Suma Artha I Nyoman.

“Together, we’re committed to developing innovative businesses with a strong emphasis on ethical and inclusive practices. We use ecologically sustainable and natural materials with no harsh chemicals or non-renewable resources. Balizen also recycles as much as possible and makes patchwork and crochet items from our factory fabric scraps.”

The company was founded on Suma's deep-rooted passion for ecologically sustainable materials, a respect for local traditions, and a deep connection to nature. The company's mission extends beyond creating sustainable products to inspiring a more conscious lifestyle and enriching communities.

Operating like a social enterprise, Balizen focuses on community impact and social wellbeing. Suma’s wife and co-founder, Andrea Phillips shares:

“We don’t just purchase from our suppliers. We mentor them and train them in sustainability and efficiency, so they can make more money from their work, improving their lifestyles.”

Eco-conscious logistics and a greener supply chain

Balizen's commitment to sustainability extends to its logistics operations. To expand their market reach while staying true to their values, Balizen prioritizes eco-conscious shipping solutions. One important tool for Balizen is, a calculator to track and reduce shipping emissions.

Since launching its first store in 2003, Balizen has been exporting to the US, Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Balizen benefits from the reach and connectivity of FedEx’s global network, with our ability to connect businesses to over 220 countries and territories.

Global reach through strategic collaboration

“To serve our global customers, we need a logistics provider that’s reliable”, added Andrea.

“By working with FedEx, we’ve extended our reach beyond Bali to connect with a broader spectrum of cross-border customers. Shipping costs were once a major obstacle for us because of our distance from global markets. FedEx has helped us mitigate this challenge.”

“We’ve increased our sales and established a foothold in an intensely competitive global market. FedEx also provides robust carbon footprint tracking and reporting capabilities to help us understand and manage the environmental impact of our shipments.”

Looking ahead to what’s next in sustainable commerce

Balizen continues to lead by example in the fair trade and sustainability movement, promoting traditional Balinese craftsmanship while adapting to modern trends. Over the years, Balizen has expanded its product offering line by line.

They now sell everything from Balinese ceremonial garden umbrellas to baby clothes made from recycled scraps of fabric.

Balizen is doing more than preserving Balinese culture and traditions. They’re paving the way to a sustainable future for local suppliers, artisans and employees.