VAUDE CSR-Report – Made in Germany

High-tech, made in Tettnang

Our new production facility started operations at the company headquarters in Tettnang-Obereisenbach in early 2017. In April 2015, the old production facility caught fire after being hit by lightening. The entire production had to relocate temporarily to a rented hall. Now we are all happy that our Manufaktur is finally back "home" again.

It's clear to see: Sustainability plays an important role here too. Plenty of natural wood, ecological materials and high energy efficiency ensure comfortable, healthy workplaces.

100 percent: PVC free, waterproof, climate-neutral

VAUDE has been producing backpacks and bags in Obereisenbach since 1980. In 1995 we specialized in the production of waterproof products at this location.

We are using a high frequency welding method in which the individual components of the products are joined together with HF energy in the form of an electromagnetic field. This results in 100% waterproof "seams" that do not have sewing needle perforations.

We now use PVC-free materials exclusively. What's so bad about PVC? Read more here

The entire production site in Obereisenbach is climate-neutral – as is the rest of our company headquarters. How this works is explained here

Genuine craftsmanship. Piece by piece.

Each product is individually made. About 20 individual operations are required in the process including die-cutting the pattern pieces from the material, welding, finishing, quality control and packaging. Each piece is manufactured by hand on special machines. Our formula includes first-class quality, innovative technology and modern design. The products often last a lifetime.

Each year about 100,000 bags and backpacks are made that meet highly technical standards in this 1,800 m² facility. VAUDE will continue to expand its Made in Germany production, which is growing at a rate of 20 percent a year. Of course, the 42 employees who work here are happy about that as well.

»We deliberately decided to strengthen our production at the company's headquarters and to invest in the new Manufaktur because it stands for our values, our roots and our core competence. We are proud of our Made in Germany products which are in demand worldwide. We are also pleased that we can now show visitors who are touring our headquarters our own production plant as a highlight. The interest level is huge.«

Antje von Dewitz, VAUDE CEO

Aqua Front

Sustainably waterproof. The “all-ride seal of quality” honored our front bike pannier Aqua Front for its high quality and climate neutral manufacturing.

Aqua Front

Aqua Back, Aqua Back Single and Aqua Back Plus

PVC-free companions on bike tours. Our Aqua Back Series convinced the jury of the “all-ride” seal with its sustainability and high quality standards.

Aqua Back
Aqua Back Plus
Aqua Back Single

Bike pack Clubride

Practical eye-catcher. As part of the world's leading trade fair for the bicycle industry, our urban bike pack Clubride has been awarded the Eurobike Award.

Bike pack Clubride

City Backpack Isny

Beautifully stylish. Our urban backpack Isny has been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design Award.

City Backpack Isny

VAUDE has a clear commitment to the production site of Obereisenbach near Tettnang. The former manufacturing building underwent renovation and now hosts the accounting department, the marketing warehouse and a large space for occupational health management.

Material consumption in the Manufaktur

Description	2013	2014	2015	2016
Production output finished products (t)	108	134	138	150
Planning material input (t)	35	47	98	41
Back panel input (t)	36	50	67	54
Small parts various materials input (t)	47	51	51	59
Total input (t)	119	148	218	156
Material efficiency output/input (%)	91 %	90 %	63 %	97 %

We have 38 suppliers for the Manufaktur in Obereisenbach, 26 of which are in Europe and 12 in Asia. Learn more about our global supply chain here

Material remnants: avoidance, upcycling, disposal

As in every production site, our Manufaktur creates waste materials. What should we do with them?

We try as much as possible to avoid material remnants by optimizing the die-cutting of the individual components. However, it's simply not possible to have no waste at all.

Polyethylene and polyamide remnants are recycled. Other waste materials, especially coated tarpaulin materials, must currently be disposed of. We are constantly in search of new opportunities for recycling these materials.

Upcycling is a particularly good solution: New products resulting from remnant materials! And with social benefits too. Find out what it's about here

Climate neutral production

The "Made in Germany" products are made with climate neutral manufacturing at our company headquarters.

Why don't we produce everything in Germany?

Germany has a highly specialized industrial structure and a high standard of living. The traditional textile expertise that Germany had up until a few decades ago, however, has largely migrated to Asia. On one hand, this concerns the entire production of materials, in particular from synthetic fibers.

It also concerns all material preparation activities – in particular of those made from synthetic fiber – and the labor and cost-intensive production of sewn products, which are often made outside of Germany for VAUDE. You can find out how we nevertheless ensure high environmental and social standards here

High environmental standards and safe workplaces

VAUDE is a bluesign® system partner. The production facility in Obereisenbach is regularly monitored by bluesign®. The entire site is ISO 14001 and EMAS certified. More on the bluesign® system here

As a member of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), job security and fair working conditions are not only our concern out in the big wide world, but also right here “at home.”

GRI:

G4-EN1

GRI:

G4-EN2

GRI:

G4-EN23

GRI:

G4-EN27

GRI:

G4-EN29