Vaude wins VSF ethics award
German outdoor company Vaude has been awarded the VSF Ethics Award 2012, as part of the bicycle group’s Vivavelo Bicycle Congress in Berlin. Dr Klaus Töpfer, former executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), presented the award to Jan Lorch, Vaude chief sales officer.
The 2012 award focussed on employees, and the fact that Vaude ensures social values are fundamentally rooted in the company impressed the jury.
The aim of the Vivavelo Bicycle Congress (February 27-28) was to discuss topics of future interest with a group of experts. Many representatives from the bicycle industry and bike retail, as well as associations and the media, attended the awards ceremony. In his congratulatory speech, Albert Herresthal, managing director of VSF and founder of Vivavelo, highlighted Vaude’s holistic involvement, which is committed to sustainable production and ambitious environmental goals, as well as its responsibility for its employees.
Mr Herresthal said the award process was influenced by the fact that Vaude has supported the combination of career and family with offers such as the Vaude Child Care Centre and flexible working hours. Membership in the “Fair Wear Foundation” through which Vaude monitors the social working conditions of its foreign suppliers, was also highlighted.
“This award is a great honour for Vaude,” said Mr Lorch. “We are particularly pleased that our commitment as an outdoor company – which we consistently implement in our bike department as well – has been clearly recognised in the bicycle industry.”
The VSF is an independent industry association in Germany with 275 members from bike retailers, manufacturers and service providers. The association is committed to cycling products as well as environmental, social and ethical issues.
