Why VAUDE Remains Committed to Manufacturing in Germany 

Tettnang, June 8, 2026 – “Manufactured in Germany” is no longer a given – not even in the outdoor industry. This makes VAUDE’s manufacturing facility in Tettnang all the more significant. Since 1980, bicycle bags and backpacks have been produced here by a team of around 55 employees. Product development and manufacturing work hand in hand under one roof, making the facility a truly special place where solutions are developed collaboratively and ideas are put into practice immediately. 

This close collaboration enables rapid coordination, short development cycles and a high degree of flexibility – advantages that are becoming increasingly important in a dynamic market environment and in times of unstable supply chains. 

With “Manufactured in Germany,” VAUDE highlights what lies behind this commitment: employees with decades of experience, state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, short distances between development and production, and a clear commitment to preserving manufacturing expertise and jobs in Germany. 

“Our manufacturing facility is not only a reflection of our roots – it is also an investment in our future,” says Antje von Dewitz, CEO of VAUDE. “We experience every day how valuable it is to have the entire product development process under one roof and to be able to implement innovations directly. At the same time, we are making targeted investments in jobs and industrial value creation in Germany. We are very proud of that.” 

Where Ideas Become Products – for Adventures Around the World 

At the manufacturing facility at VAUDE’s headquarters in Tettnang, bicycle bags and backpacks are produced using a high-frequency welding process that makes them 100 percent waterproof. Thanks to this technology, the products are extremely durable and built to withstand demanding use – whether on a round-the-world cycling adventure or during the daily commute. The production of bicycle bags and backpacks involves numerous carefully executed manual steps – from cutting and sewing to bartacking, riveting and welding – combined with modern robotics and automated processes. 

“The proximity to our manufacturing facility is a major advantage. We can test new solutions directly on site, develop them further together, evaluate prototypes and implement improvements immediately,” says Annika Sturm, Bike Product Manager at VAUDE. “This enables us to create well-designed products that perform in real-life conditions and accompany people on their adventures for many years.” 
 

People Behind Every Product 

For VAUDE, “Manufactured in Germany” is also a social commitment: a commitment to the people behind the products and to regional value creation. Around 55 employees from more than 20 nations currently work in the manufacturing facility, many of whom have been part of the team for decades. Some joined VAUDE after coming to Germany as refugees. Together, they represent what defines the VAUDE manufacturing facility: craftsmanship, extensive expertise, precision and teamwork. 

“I have been working here in the manufacturing facility for more than 28 years and I am proud of what we achieve together,” says Christian Schien. “We accompany every product from the very first cut to the finished item. You can truly see how much experience and dedication goes into each one. That is what makes this work so special to me.” 

Investing in the Future of Manufacturing  

Manufacturing in Germany presents significant challenges, but it also creates unique opportunities for quality, flexibility and innovation. VAUDE’s manufacturing facility is one of the few remaining production sites in the German outdoor industry. 

For many years, VAUDE has been investing strategically in the continued development of manufacturing at its headquarters. In 2017, a new production hall was commissioned. In 2024, VAUDE invested more than one million euros in a new automation line to further strengthen the facility’s future viability. Today, up to 400,000 products are manufactured here every year. 

The VAUDE manufacturing facility is much more than a production site. It is a place that tells stories – stories of people who develop, manufacture and continuously improve products. Stories of people who work with experience, precision and passion. And stories rooted in the conviction that innovation flourishes where passion, expertise and responsibility come together.