Growth with the Circular Economy

In the context of business, growth is equated with success and is usually related to sales growth in conjunction with profit maximization. The most important measure of a country is the gross domestic product (GDP) – the value of all goods and services produced within a year. When GDP increases, it is commonly referred to as economic growth. GDP is usually one of the most important measures used to evaluate the prosperity of a country.

We consider this perspective on economic and corporate growth as too one-sided, as it often neglects the negative ecological and social consequences of unchecked growth.

• We do not fundamentally reject growth, but advocate for a differentiated approach.
• We ensure that our corporate growth occurs within the planetary boundaries and takes into account the finite nature of Earth's natural resources. This means that we strive to operate and grow in a resource-efficient manner with the smallest possible ecological footprint. For example, we are gradually transitioning to using recycled and biobased materials in the production of our products, which results in lower CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels.
• We aim for the absolute decoupling of our growth from resource consumption. This means that we strive to achieve economic growth while simultaneously reducing our resource consumption. 
• We see strengthening the circular economy as a key factor in achieving a climate-friendly future. Therefore, we are increasing our investments in the quality and recyclability of our products, as well as in resource-efficient and circular business models. With services like the VAUDE Academy for Sustainable Business, we aim to support and accompany companies, partners, and customers in their transformation processes. Through our circular offerings of renting, second hand, repairing and upcycling, we promote extended material and product usage.
• It is important to us that growth should not stimulate overconsumption. For this reason, too, we strive to achieve organic growth through our own efforts, shaping our growth in line with demand and geared to sustainable consumer behavior.
• We use our sustainably designed corporate growth to maintain an appropriate company size as a family business that allows us to survive in a market driven by a strong growth mindset and enormous concentration processes by large corporations.
• The production of our sustainable products involves high additional costs, which we are usually unable to pass on directly to the customer. In order to be able to absorb these financially, our company growth also plays an important role. At the same time, we use our growing company size to exert more influence on a sustainable transformation of our products and supply chains in the outdoor and textile industries.
• If market shares shift in our direction because our products are more sustainable, less resource-intensive and fairer than comparable competitor products, we see this growth as positive.