VAUDE has a great interest in long-term relationships with producers. Frequently changing producers to obtain more favorable prices doesn’t correspond with our company philosophy. For VAUDE, it is important that the producers have an understanding of our VAUDE values and quality standards. We achieve this through many years of collaboration based on mutual trust. This foundation creates the conditions for open, constructive collaboration that helps us to shape and improve sustainable processes at the production sites.
During the lockdown when our specialist retailers were closed, we deliberately did not cancel any orders for goods, but worked with our partners and suppliers to jointly cope with the inevitable slump in sales. For example, we collaborated to redefine delivery dates and payment targets, always under the premise that both sides would be able to successfully bear the changes. VAUDE is highly committed to responsibility and fairness in the supply chain and relies on long-term partnerships with its producers and suppliers.At the beginning of the pandemic when our specialist retailers were closed, we deliberately did not cancel any orders for goods, but worked with our partners and suppliers to jointly cope with the inevitable slump in sales. For example, we collaborated to redefine delivery dates and payment targets, always under the premise that both sides would be able to successfully bear the changes. VAUDE is highly committed to responsibility and fairness in the supply chain and relies on long-term partnerships with its producers and suppliers. Find out more here.
We require early, detailed and binding planning of quantities from our sales department. The more accurate our volume forecasts, the better the producer can plan and the less overtime is incurred during production.
PPrices are negotiated and established very early with the producer. This usually happens during the product development phase based on cost breakdowns. In the cost breakdown, the producer records exactly what materials are used, what they cost, and other relevant costs incurred for product manufacturing.
After each season, we evaluate the producers' data with regard to adherence to deadlines, delivery, quality, quantity, working conditions, etc. and then discuss any improvement measures that may prove necessary.
Some of your VAUDE products will continue to be manufactured right here at our Manufaktur production facility at the company headquarters in Tettnang-Obereisenbach as well as elsewhere in Europe. However, the majority of all outdoor products, however, are made in Asia.
* Presentation of our manufacturers within the FW scope
VAUDE worked with eleven producers in Europe during the period under review. They accounted for over 13% of the total expenditure for our products. Over 10% were products made here in southern Germany at our Manufaktur production facility.
However, the majority of our products are manufactured by external contractors. VAUDE traditionally maintains business relationships based on partnership and always works directly with all producers. The majority of our producers' production facilities are located in Vietnam.
With the introduction of a risk-based approach following the OECD guidelines and Fair Wear standards, we have also adjusted our monitoring system. Unlike the previous practice of auditing production facilities on a fixed three-year cycle, we now conduct audits based on the risk profile of each facility. This targeted assessment approach allows us to gain deeper insights into specific sector risks or address issues through the organization of specialized training sessions. (Learn more about sector risks here)
Compared to other Asian countries, Myanmar has a higher risk, prompting Fair Wear to impose additional and stricter requirements to ensure we fulfill our human rights due diligence obligations. Read more here
| GRI: | 414-1 |
| GRI: | 414-2 |
| GRI: | 204-1 |
| GRI: | 103 |
