Vaude
- Year of foundation: 1974
- Company headquarters: Tettnang
- Employees worldwide: approx. 500
- Turnover: approx. 110 million per year
The Allgäu-based manufacturer of bike and outdoor products has always been family-owned. However, it is only since the current Managing Director Antje von Dewitz took over the helm from her father and company founder Albrecht von Dewitz in 2009 that she has consistently turned the company in the direction of sustainability - and far beyond energy-saving light bulbs and a few bicycle parking spaces at the company headquarters: sustainability reports of up to 5,000 pages prepared by neutral institutions reveal details of the carbon footprint as well as problems with the products that have not yet been satisfactorily solved. Fluorochemicals in rain jackets, non-repairable designs or the raw material consumption of some materials were already an issue at Vaude when many competitors were still satisfied with a non-binding commitment to love of nature. The product engineers have been experimenting with bio-based plastics, recycled coffee grounds or hemp fibres for a long time and are constantly designing product studies that foreshadow future sustainable products today.
The consistency with which von Dewitz develops her ideas of environmentally and people-friendly production has earned her various environmental and economic awards. The Vaude boss is now also well connected in politics. She has been involved in discussions on the German Supply Chain Act, which makes the local client responsible for production conditions in the manufacturing countries, and she is also behind an initiative on the right to stay for asylum seekers.
Hilke Patzwall, CSR Manager: "Our global producers still largely use fossil fuels that are harmful to the climate. We aim to cut 50 per cent of emissions from our supply chain by 2030."
As with most bike brands, Vaude's production is globalised. However, while others pin green points on the façade with loudly advertised token products and a few e-cars, Vaude includes the entire supply chain in its endeavours. Asian suppliers in particular, from spinning mills to sewing factories, are scrutinised for sustainability. In addition to CO² emissions and toxic chemicals, labour and delivery conditions also play a crucial role.
A look into the future
- Vaude promises climate neutrality for 2022. Unavoidable emissions will be offset until better solutions are found.
- By 2024, the products are to consist predominantly of bio-based and recycled raw materials.
- By 2030, 50 per cent of emissions from our supply chain are to be reduced.
Interview with Hilke Patzwall
BIKE: How is a fair supplier relationship defined, in simple terms?
Hilke Patzwall: Partnership at eye level, for mutual, lasting satisfaction. As in any relationship, it sometimes grinds, but it's basically a win-win situation.
Are fair wages and contracts simply about the good feeling of justice? What does fairness have to do with sustainability?
From a certain level of professionalism, the "good feeling" usually goes hand in hand with real improvements in sustainability. Sustainability always means that people, the environment and business are brought into balance. A simple example: If my supplier treats its employees well, they can make a good living from their work, are satisfied and do their job well for my products. Underpaid, overworked people cannot deliver good quality in the long term. However, fairness also means that companies do not make profits through harmful practices, but pass on the costs of the damage to the general public. Politicians must therefore set the framework conditions and incentives to ensure that companies that operate sustainably can work successfully.
Hilke Patzwall: "Fair labour brings development for local people."
Wouldn't it be even more sustainable to have more things produced in this country?
The question is whether that would really be more sustainable. At Vaude, the entire goods logistics accounts for just two to five per cent of the total carbon footprint. Of course, that's still too many emissions, especially as ocean shipping causes a number of other pollutants. But other aspects are more important for the sustainability of the products, in particular the raw materials used and the energy mix used to manufacture the materials. We are therefore focussing our resources on these two issues and using more and more recycled and bio-based materials. We also support our material manufacturers in the local energy transition. With fair supplier relationships, labour also always means development, income and education for local people. All products with a lot of manual labour would be significantly more expensive to produce in Germany and are currently more of a high-priced niche.
Have manufacturers already been discarded because of their environmental or social impact in the country of manufacture?
Yes, of course. There were producers who did too little to combat child labour despite intensive educational work. As a brand, it is up to you to decide who manufactures your products and under what production conditions.
