Company news

Antje von Dewitz receives business award for her commitment to sustainability

"It takes a great deal of courage to be so resolute in implement an idea," said Roland Schubert, CEO, LGT Bank, in his laudatory speech for Antje von Dewitz, who accepted the prestigious business award "EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021" on November 4 in Berlin. The VAUDE CEO was honored for her commitment to socially responsible and successful corporate management in the category of Sustainability. The jury rated the high level of innovative strength and excellent employee management at VAUDE as outstanding.

Tracking VAUDE products worldwide – a transparent supply chain

Where does my outdoor jacket come from? Who made my backpack? Outdoor fans can easily find the answers to questions such as these on the VAUDE website at vaude.com – no matter where in the world the gear or apparel was made. VAUDE offers the ability to trace products back to their place of production worldwide. Each softshell jacket, tent or pair of trekking shoes has a link that takes you directly to the production plant where it was made with photos, information and certifications from the facility. VAUDE has been committed to fair working conditions and environmental protection along the entire supply chain for years – on a voluntary basis and with success.

Detox – VAUDE apparel, shoes and backpacks PFC-free

"Our goal: completely eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals"

In 2015 VAUDE signed the Greenpeace Detox Commitment with the goal of systematically eliminating chemicals of concern (such as controversial PFCs) from the manufacturing process by 2020. What has been achieved since then? The VAUDE apparel collection has been PFC-free since 2018 and in 2020 this was achieved for all footwear and backpacks as well. A total of seven out of eleven hazardous substance groups have already been fully eliminated from production and the sustainable outdoor brand has made great strides in four other groups.

VAUDE introduces the repair index

The outdoor specialist VAUDE has always set great store in ensuring that its products have the smallest ecological footprint possible and that they can be used and repaired over the long term. Now the outdoor outfitter is going one step further and systematically embedding reparability in its product development operations. To ensure that products are designed to be as easy to repair as possible from their very inception, VAUDE has introduced the Repair Index. "With our Repair Index, we are strengthening our focus on reparability and reaffirming our stance against a throwaway society. It shows that we are taking our claim seriously. Our products should have a long service life and be reparable," said Antje von Dewitz, VAUDE CEO.