LOWA becomes a member of the Fair Wear Foundation

16.05.2023 | As the first pure shoe manufacturer to produce in Europe, LOWA has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since the beginning of 2023. The mountain footwear and outdoor specialist, which turns 100 this year, is thus committed to fair and responsible production processes along the entire supply chain and to their continuous improvement.

Founded in 1999, the internationally active and independent Fair Wear Foundation continuously subjects its members to comprehensive brand performance checks with clear guidelines regarding labour and production conditions in its own factories and at production partners. The results of the assessments are published regularly so that customers, business partners and the public can gain an accurate picture of the extent to which the standards of socially and ecologically fair production are being met. LOWA began the onboarding process last year, which will continue this year. A first brand performance check is expected in 2024.

Unlike most of its competitors, LOWA produces more than 3 million pairs of shoes a year almost exclusively in Europe and to a very large extent in its own production facilities. The company has around 2,300 employees and produces at four locations: at its headquarters in Jetzendorf in Upper Bavaria, at a subsidiary in Slovakia, at a partner company in Italy and in Vietnam. The shoe uppers come from sewing factories in Slovakia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Alexander Nicolai, CEO of LOWA, comments: "Fair working conditions have top priority at all locations where we produce and have production carried out. The Fair Wear Foundation has been a recognised authority in our industry for many years, and from now on we will be measured against its requirements as part of a continuous improvement process. Membership of the organisation is therefore a clear signal both to our existing and future employees and to our customers that LOWA takes its responsibility as a company and as one of the leading footwear brands for mountain and hiking sports very seriously."

Fair, responsible production conditions have always been a top priority at LOWA. Manufacturing in its own production facilities, the formulation and implementation of a Code of Conduct that meets the highest standards and the company's mission statement underline the importance of fair working conditions for the Jetzendorf-based company. By becoming a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, LOWA is taking a further step in this direction and will continue to advocate responsible working and production conditions in the future.