VAUDE invests in the production site in Tettnang
- VAUDE invests over one million euros in production at the company site
- Technological lead through innovative automation process
- VAUDE "Made in Germany" products: 100% PVC-free and environmentally certified
Tettnang, 09.09.2024 - VAUDE is known worldwide for the production of waterproof "Made in Germany" products, which are manufactured at the Tettnang site using a high-frequency welding process in accordance with the highest environmental standards. The sustainable outdoor brand has been producing high-quality backpacks, bike and lifestyle bags here since 1980. VAUDE completely avoids the use of PVC materials, which are extremely harmful to the environment and health. The company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has now invested over one million euros in the further modernization of the production site in Tettnang and rebuilt the production layout according to the latest industry standards.
After a good year of project planning, VAUDE recently put a fully automated production line into operation, a remarkable innovation in the textile industry. This makes domestic production more competitive, more flexible and less dependent on global partners. As many work steps still require manual craftsmanship, the name "VAUDE Manufaktur" will remain. With the modernization, VAUDE is implementing another milestone on the path of sustainable transformation that the company has been pursuing for over 15 years. "We have decided to invest in our production at the company headquarters and to strengthen our manufactory in order to make it sustainable for the future. Because it stands for our values, our roots and our core competencies," says Antje von Dewitz, Managing Director of VAUDE. "Of course, times are challenging in the bike market right now. But thanks to the unbroken trend towards environmentally friendly mobility as well as e-bikes and bike leasing, the demand for bike bags will pick up again strongly in the foreseeable future. We are now well equipped for this."
Technological lead in the textile manufacturing industry
The investment not only secures VAUDE's production site in Tettnang and its "Made in Germany" products, but also strengthens the manufactory's competitiveness. "We are increasing our production capacities and can also produce more independently of global partners," explains Philipp Schwarz, Head of Manufacturing. In addition, the new layout also makes it possible to implement individual customer requests, such as custom logos, at short notice.
Under the management of Philipp Schwarz, in close cooperation with the team leaders and an internal project team, the 1,800 m² area was restructured, modernized and converted within six months. A highly efficient production layout was introduced in the process. With the commissioning of an automation line specified for VAUDE by Erler Automation GmbH, the modernization has now been successfully completed and a major innovation has been advanced: the repeatable and process-reliable handling of textiles, so-called flexible components. An automation solution has now been created for this purpose. "I am very proud that in future we will be producing more than forty models in accordance with the latest industry standards, with significantly shorter delivery times and less material waste in our manufactory. We have optimized our production processes and trained our team so that we will be able to manufacture more than half a million products a year in the future," explains Philipp Schwarz. "With the conversion, we are ideally equipped for the future. The investments have given us a clear technological lead in the textile manufacturing sector at the German site in Tettnang." with the modernization of the manufactory, the outdoor manufacturer will be able to continue to manufacture successfully and sustainably in Germany in the long term.
"Made in Germany" products: 100% waterproof & PVC-free
VAUDE manufactures its high-quality, globally sought-after "Made in Germany" products using a high-frequency welding process in which the materials are welded together in a watertight manner. This creates 100% waterproof "seams" without having to pierce the material with a needle. Thanks to this technology, the bags and backpacks are extremely hard-wearing, durable and perfect for all outdoor activities - such as the legendary Aqua series bike bags. Out of love for nature, VAUDE completely avoids the use of PVC materials, as the plasticizers (phthalates) they contain are extremely harmful to health, both for people in production and for consumers, and are harmful to the environment - PVC even has to be disposed of as hazardous waste. VAUDE Manufaktur, which employs around 100 people, is certified according to the EMAS, bluesign and ISO 140001 environmental standards and thus meets the highest ecological requirements. The leftover materials are recycled as far as possible or processed into new products in the company's own upcycling workshop.
Milestones of the VAUDE Manufaktur
2024 VAUDE commissions new automation system and increases production capacity.
2018 VAUDE founds an upcycling workshop where material scraps are processed into new products.
2017 The newly built 1,800 m2 production hall at the Tettnang site goes into operation after the previous production building was severely damaged by a major fire.
1995 VAUDE Manufaktur specializes in the manufacture of waterproof products using the high-frequency welding process.
1980 Construction of the company headquarters with its own production facility in Tettnang.
1974 Albrecht von Dewitz founds VAUDE and starts manufacturing backpacks.
More about the VAUDE manufactory: VAUDE CSR Report - VAUDE "Made in Germany"
More about the sustainable commitment: VAUDE CSR Report - Sustainability Report