TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Goater Kitchen has launched a sweeping sustainability drive, streamlining production to cut costs while staying competitive.

Founded in 1980, the Taoyuan-based company is now run by the second-generation leadership of CEO Su Jui-ching (蘇叡晴) and Deputy CEO Su Cheng-hsin (蘇政欣), per CNA. The team has pushed for green initiatives while designing practical kitchens.

“Age-friendly kitchens are not just for older people. They are convenient for everyone,” Su said, describing the rounded cabinet edges that reduce accidents and drawers that pop open with a tap of the foot. Some kitchen islands now come with built-in wireless chargers.

As Goater expands abroad, stricter environmental requirements in Europe and the US have forced it to adapt. International clients demand proof of sustainable sourcing and carbon audits, spurring the company to overhaul operations.

In March, Goater obtained third-party carbon footprint certification. Assistant Manager Hung Tzu-ting (洪子婷) recalled the effort as “finding a path through fog,” since the kitchenware sector had no precedents to follow.

Support came from the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ low-carbon guidance program, which paired Goater with the Plastic Industry Development Center. With subsidies and expert help, the company optimized production lines and streamlined material management.

“Reducing labor hours and waiting time is the essence of lean production,” Hung said, noting that cutting bottlenecks also saved energy and reduced emissions.

Goater also turned to logistics. Flat-pack shipping, initially introduced to meet customer requests for lower costs, has reduced transport volume by 50–70% compared with pre-assembled cabinets. The change lowered emissions and saved storage space for clients in North America and the Middle East.

Looking ahead, Su said Goater will keep pushing modular design and recycled materials, aiming to build a green kitchen ecosystem with its partners.