Creating added value through commitment

We at VAUDE not only work in this idyllic and secluded setting, we also live here. Therefore, we are committed to the village, its infrastructure and its recreational facilities.

Outdoor swimming pool and bus services, childcare and organic fries

VAUDE’s roots and its headquarters are set in a very rural area. Our company is based in Obereisenbach near Tettnang which is home to some 1,000 residents. Doing business in this community doesn't just mean providing jobs; it also involves inconveniences for the local population such as loud delivery trucks, construction noise and more.
This is the source of our special sense of responsibility and commitment to the region and the local community. We value being a good neighbor.

The lack of infrastructure that existed up until recently motivated us to search for improvements. In addition, VAUDE deliberately worked toward strengthening local business by building a new factory on the premises for our Made in Germany products in 2016. Find out more about the Manufaktur here

VAUDE as operator of the "Bädle" pool

Together with a promotion association founded specifically for this purpose, VAUDE kept the pool from closing at the company headquarters in Obereisenbach in 2006. This was also made possible by the town of Tettnang in that a unique cooperation between economic, voluntary and municipal commitment took on the remaining operating costs, which although lower, still remain.

Summer fun in "Bädle"

VAUDE has continued on as tenant of the local outdoor pool, idyllically situated between green meadows and forests. Otherwise it would have had to be closed.

As a leaseholder, we have managed to make the "Bädle" very attractive for families and children with a variety of measures – and despite the fact that it is getting on in years. We were able to increase revenues and halve the costs that we were responsible for.

The main contributing factor was that we could make use of many VAUDE services – from website maintenance to marketing and accounting – at net cost. Finding entrepreneurial solutions for many of the challenges the facilities faced has been very successful.

In addition to this, members of the Förderverein, an association that supports the pool’s operations, have provided valuable voluntary work and repeatedly assumed purchases such as trees. In collaboration with various dedicated patrons, we want to ensure that the pool continues to serve the public in the future as well.

"Substantial contribution to a special community attraction"

Tettnang's mayor, Bruno Walter, approves of VAUDE’s activism. "With the attractive family and children’s swimming pool, the company is making a significant contribution to a special program." And more: "We have the successful three-pillar model between business, community and the city – that came about in talks about the city’s finances – to thank for that the outdoor pool in Obereisenbach is still in operation today.

Childcare

Due to the weak infrastructure of our rural location and our dedication to social responsibility, we go beyond what is expected in actively supporting a good balance between work and family. Furthermore, women make up over 60% of employees at VAUDE, which led to the establishment of the VAUDE Kinderhaus childcare center.

The VAUDE Kinderhaus

In the past, pregnancy often meant that an employee had to leave the company for at least three years because there were insufficient childcare facilities in the area. In 2001, we established a childcare center. Today, up to 31 children between six months and ten years of age are cared for in a crèche group and in mixed-age groups at the center.

VAUDE Kinderhaus Childcare Center

The VAUDE Kinderhaus is open to all children, regardless of whether their parents work for the company or not.

Our VAUDE childcare center was created in cooperation with the city of Tettnang. VAUDE made the facilities available and took over the bulk of the investment. Sixty percent of operating costs (personnel, electricity, heating, etc.) are covered by the city of Tettnang, VAUDE finances the rest.

Mothers who work at VAUDE can return to work after having children. Combined with the introduction of flexible working hours, we were able to increase the rate of female managers to 44% in 2016 (2015: 39%, 2014: 37%, 2013: 35%).

In addition, we have a high birth rate at the company. In 2016, 52 employees took parental leave (2015: 36 employees, 2014: 37 employees, 2013: 45 employees). While the birth rate in Germany is 8.5 births per 1,000 (source: Central Intelligence Agency), we have had 25 births per 500 VAUDE employees – far above the German average.

Heike Seiter, controller at VAUDE:

"The conditions that VAUDE created with childcare and flexible working hours make it possible for me to have a good balance between work and family. In addition, they really make it easier to come back to work after parental leave."

The Bähnle bus connects the village to the transport network

Obereisenbach is so remote that it wasn’t connected to the public transport network for a very long time. However, in autumn 2013, the Bähnle bus line was introduced connecting the site to the public bus and rail network.

Good connections with the Bähnle bus

Since autumn 2013, the remote area of Tettnang-Obereisenbach has been connected to the public transport network.

As co-initiator, we fought for two years for the creation of this bus route which significantly improved the infrastructure not only for VAUDE employees, but also for the residents of this idyllic and remote setting.

Revitalization of the village with an organic canteen and kiosk

With the canteen and a kiosk directly next to the outlet store, we helped to revive the small village of Obereisenbach. In addition to offering certified organic fare, special attention is given to regional products to support local farmers.

Our organic company canteen opened in 2015 (read more here) giving employees and visitors the option of a healthy and inexpensive lunch in organic quality. Advance booking for lunch can be done here

Organic food at the kiosk

Even the kiosk is certified organic: fries and sausages at the VAUDE kiosk are organic. The ingredients are sourced locally.

GRI:

G4-EC7

GRI:

G4-DMA Indirect economic performance