German outdoor clothing and equipment company Vaude has been voted that country’s most sustainable brand.
This prestigious award is endorsed by the federal government and is under the patronage of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Vaude was the winner in 2015 in recognition of the company’s commitment to a sustainable corporate philosophy through all its business segments. Vaude has been following such a path since 2010 and integrates sustainable practices in such areas as textile choices, product life cycles, a carbon emission footprint for its Tettnang headquarters and employee work-life balance, with its own employee child-care centre. It operates under industry standards such as bluesign – for textile manufacture – and Green Shape – Vaude’s guarantee that its products are made from sustainable materials by resource conserving processes.

Vaude’s CEO, Antje von Dewitz, who took over from her father and the company’s founder, Albrecht von Dewitz, in 2009, said: “We are delighted and proud of the award. We implement sustainability everywhere in product development, logistics, human resources. The expense is enormous, but, we are convinced that it makes sense and is worthwhile in the long term.”