Vaude

VAUDE stands for mountain sports expertise, innovation and a responsible approach to people and nature. VAUDE products guarantee the highest level of quality, functionality and reliability. The family-run company from Lake Constance has set out to become the most environmentally friendly outdoor equipment supplier in Europe, so that the athletes of tomorrow can also enjoy the great outdoors. To this end, VAUDE relies on the best technology available in an ecological sense. With a view of the Alps, the VAUDE team works every day to make the spirit of mountain sports tangible in VAUDE equipment.

 

The history of VAUDE begins with Albrecht von Dewitz's enthusiasm for mountain sports. In the 1970s, when the term "outdoor" did not even exist and real mountain sports equipment was hardly offered, he already recognized the great market potential for this sector. In 1974, he founded the company VAUDE, which he named after his initials v. D. (pronounced [fau'de]). The one-man company became one of Europe's leading mountain sports brands.

 

In 1980, VAUDE establishes its headquarters in Obereisenbach near Tattnang, where Made in Germany products are still manufactured today. In 1992, the company founds the Bike Sports product division, which offers clothing and accessories for cyclists. Just six years later, the Packs'n Bags product division follows with fashionable, functional bag and backpack collections. At the turn of the year, further decisive steps are taken for the company. VAUDE opens its own VAUDE Kinderhaus, which supports employees in balancing work and family life. At the same time, VAUDE becomes the first sporting goods manufacturer to produce according to the strict bluesign environmental standard. Since then, the proportion of bluesign products has grown steadily.

 

In 2005, VAUDE is awarded the quality seal "Audit Beruf Familie" certificate for the family-friendly measures in the company. One year later, VAUDE takes over the operation of the local family outdoor pool at the company headquarters in Obereisenbach/Tettnang to prevent its closure. In 2008, the company introduces a consistent sustainability strategy (VAUDE Ecosystem) and establishes the VAUDE Sustainability Team. VAUDE is also the first European outdoor company to have its environmental management certified in accordance with EMAS and ISO 14001. In the same year, VAUDE is also the first European outdoor manufacturer to become an official member of bluesign in order to advocate environmentally friendly production in all its endeavors.

 

In 2009, the daughter of company founder Albrecht, Antje von Dewitz, takes over the management of the company. Numerous ecologically strategic steps follow and VAUDE introduces the guarantee ;for environmentally friendly and resource-saving products under the name 'Green Shape'. At the same time, the company joins the Fair Wear Foundation, underlining its CSR objectives for fair working conditions and transparency. The VAUDE production facilities at the Obereisenbach site and in Vietnam are also certified according to the strict bluesign environmental standard. In addition, the company cooperates with the WWF and donates 1% of the proceeds from the sale of Green Shape products to WWF Germany. The cooperation with Fairwertung is also a contribution to sustainability.

 

Since 2012, VAUDE has been one of the first companies to sign the German Sustainability Code at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin and is completely climate-neutral. Today, VAUDE employs 480 people in Germany and 1,500 employees worldwide.