VAUDE Milestones
2023 VAUDE is working on a further development of the climate targets with far-reaching action. The goal is a Net Zero strategy with a target year.
2022 The Science Based Targets Initiative verifies VAUDE's 1.5 degree climate targets.
2022 VAUDE and all VAUDE products are climate-neutral. The emissions arising from mobility, materials, manufacturing, and shipping are analyzed and systematically reduced. Emissions that are currently unavoidable are fully offset through the independent non-profit organization myclimate.
2020 Founding of the VAUDE Academy for Sustainable Business, which supports other companies with sound expertise in making their organizations sustainable and fit for the future.
2019 VAUDE has set itself ambitious, science-based targets for the future climate-neutral production of all its products worldwide. VAUDE intends to use these do its part toward limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees in accordance with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
2019 The Grüner Knopf (Green Button), the first state seal for socially and ecologically produced textiles, is introduced. VAUDE is the only outdoor company to receive the Grüner Knopf for a large part of its product range. The strict criteria of the company's own label "Green Shape" was recognized.
2018 VAUDE launches its innovative, sustainable Green Shape Core Collection. This trend-setting – and thoroughly sustainable – collection relies on innovative natural materials and also offers solutions for global problems such as microplastics. About 90 % of the diverse textile materials used to make these products are biobased, recycled or purely natural materials.
2018 VAUDE founds an Upcycling Workshop. New products are made out of material remnants from the VAUDE Manufaktur by refugees who are permanent employees – a successful project for integration and sustainability.
2018 Launch of VAUDE Rent, the innovative rental service for outdoor equipment. This allows outdoor activities to be experienced in a sustainable and resource-saving way - another important step towards the circular economy.
2017 The research project "TextileMission" was initiated by VAUDE, together with partners from the sporting goods industry, universities, WWF Germany and the washing machine and detergent manufacturers Miele and Henkel. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Goal: Working together to find solutions to reduce the environmental impact of microplastic particles that are released during the washing of synthetic fiber clothing.
2017 The newly built VAUDE Manufaktur production facility at the company headquarters in Tettnang begins operation, helping VAUDE to expand its Made in Germany production which includes high quality panniers and bags. Production in this facility is 100% climate neutral as well as EMAS and bluesign certified.
2016 Cooperation between VAUDE and iFixit, an online repair platform, begins providing Europe with its the first outdoor brand repair instructions. This is one example of how VAUDE is contributing to extending the service life of products with its sustainable product philosophy.
2016 VAUDE signs the Greenpeace Detox Commitment agreeing to eliminate all harmful substances from the entire supply chain and manufacture its entire collection completely PFC-free (without fluorocarbons) by 2020 at the latest.
2015 The completely renovated office building at the headquarters are opened. They offer employees healthy, future-oriented working stations, an organic canteen, and a climbing wall. The sustainable building is DGNB-certified (German Association for Sustainable Building).
2015 Environmental Stewardship in the Supply Chain project is launched to ensure high environmental and social standards for suppliers as well. The goal is to make the global supply chain ecological, social and transparent.
2015 Leader Status with the independent organization Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is attained for VAUDE’s commitment to achieving fair working conditions worldwide. VAUDE is producing 96 percent of its total production in facilities that have been monitored in accordance with FWF requirements.
2015 As the first company in the outdoor industry, VAUDE publishes an audited Common Good Balance Sheet, which not only evaluates economic factors, but environmental and social factors as well. VAUDE is a pioneering company in the Economy of the Common Good (ECG), an initiative that works toward a rethinking of the economy for the common good.
2015 As an additional component of its sustainability strategy, VAUDE launches the VAUDE Second Use Shop (www.ebay.de/vaude) in Germany. The shop is a platform where private sellers can resell their used VAUDE brand products. This prolongs the life cycle of the product and prevents quality products from ending up in a landfill.
2014 VAUDE becomes a founding member of the Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien (Alliance for Sustainable Textiles), which the Federal Government launched in October 2014. The aim of this alliance between the Federal Government, textile and apparel industry, commerce, trade unions and civil society is to implement recognized environmental and social standards in the entire value chain of textile production worldwide.
2014 The VAUDE Environmental Report, in accordance with international GRI standards (Global Reporting Initiative), is published for the first time. VAUDE’s economic, ecological and social performance figures are clearly and transparently presented based on comparable indicators at the new website: http://www.vaude-nachhaltigkeitsbericht.com
2012 Climate neutrality: The VAUDE company headquarters and all products manufactured there are climate neutral. All company generated greenhouse gases emissions are quantified, systematically reduced and compensated for by climate protection projects of the non-profit organization myclimate.
2012 VAUDE joins forces with Fairwertung: Responsible collection and marketing of used products to benefit non-profit organizations.
2012 VAUDE signs the German Sustainability Code in Berlin, making VAUDE one of the first companies to use the code for sustainable development.
2011 Cooperation is sealed by the WWF Germany and VAUDE for environmental protection. VAUDE supports WWF Germany and works together with the WWF experts on environmental issues.
2010 VAUDE production facilities at the company headquarters in Tettnang are certified under the strict bluesign® environmental standard.
2010 Fair Wear Foundation membership begins, underscoring VAUDE’s CSR objectives for fair working conditions and transparency
2010 As the first company in Europe to do so, VAUDE participates in the EU Business and Biodiversity Campaign.
2010 Launch of the Green Shape label, with which VAUDE offers functional, eco-friendly products made from sustainable materials under fair working conditions. The strict evaluation criteria are under constant review and cover the entire lifecycle of the product – from design, through production, care and maintenance, to repair and the product’s end of life.
2010 VAUDE begins using the high performance and completely recyclable Sympatex membrane in all high-tech products.
2010 Operations begin at the newly built, 3,500 m2 high-tech logistics center
2009 Antje von Dewitz, daughter of the company founder, Albrecht von Dewitz, takes over the company management
2008 Germany’s first VAUDE Store opens, launching a franchise concept in cooperation with retail where VAUDE presents its complete brand portfolio
2008 bluesign Technologies official membership begins, making VAUDE the first European outdoor company to adapt the strict bluesign® system standards throughout the manufacturing of all products
2008 VAUDE is the first European Outdoor company to be certified under the EMAS and ISO 14001 regulations
2006 In order to prevent closure, VAUDE takes over the management of the local outdoor swimming pool in Obereisenbach, Tettnang in cooperation with the City of Tettnang and the "Förderverein zur Erhaltung des Freibades Obereisenbach e.V."
2005 Beruf & Familie (Career and Family) seal of quality is earned for VAUDE’s family friendly policies.
2002 VAUDE becomes an official partner and sponsor of the German Alpine Club (DAV).
2001 Ecological bluesign® system: As the first sporting goods manufacturer to do so, VAUDE produces an entire product segment (Base Layer) under the strict bluesign® system environmental standard.
2001 VAUDE Kinderhaus childcare center opens at the company headquarters
1998 Packs ´n Bags product division is founded, a stylish-functional bags and backpack collection which makes a fast breakthrough in the lifestyle market.
1994 The Ecolog Recycling Network is created and functional high-tech apparel can be 100% recycled for the first time.
1992 Bike product division is founded. Today VAUDE is a leading manufacturer of bike accessories such as bike backpacks, bike bags, and functional apparel for mountain bikers and bike travellers.
1992 Construction of a new company building at the headquarters in Obereisenbach; includes the Product Development Department and Logistics Department along with the company’s Administration Department, which delivers products to VAUDE customers worldwide
1980 VAUDE moves the company headquarters to its new company premises in Obereisenbach, Southern Germany. Production is expanded to include the “Made in Germany” products which are still produced here today.
1974 Albrecht von Dewitz founds VAUDE which sells mountain sports gear and produces its own backpacks.