Birkenstock: A German Company's Sustainable Production of Iconic Footwear - Prof. Richard , Study notes of Geography

Download Birkenstock: A German Company's Sustainable Production of Iconic Footwear - Prof. Richard and more Study notes Geography in PDF only on Docsity!

Birkenstock, Taking Steps in the Right Direction Matthew Walker Martin GRG 356T Introduction to Globalization 4/30/

After keeping a record of the clothing I wore for on week, the consistent article was Birkenstock sandals. Throughout the years I have worn numerous pairs of this brand of sandal. They are durable for normal wear, yet I have learned that if worn while carrying a pack, or working construction, they last about three months. After contemplating which company to research, I decided to investigate how the German based company, conducts its production, and acquisition of the raw materials used to construct this iconic foot wear. With empirical knowledge of this region of the world, I was not surprised to discover that this company has self regulated, and strived for an efficient and effective method of production. Birkenstocks acquired within the United States are funneled through Birkenstock Distribution USA, Inc.. The ultimate Parent company is Sac International Gmbh is located in Vettelschos, Germany. Other brands under the Birkenstock licenses include; Alpro, Betula, Birki’s, Footprints, Papillio, and Tatami. The Birkenstock Company has evolved over 230 years to be a global supplier of foot ware. The legacy of cobblers dates back to 1774 with Johann Adam Birkenstock. Konrad Birkenstock is documented to have two stores in Frankfurt in 1896. A large factory was purchased in 1925 in Freidberg, and the foot ware is distributed to neighboring countries. The production was mechanically revolutionized during the early seventies and by 1980, computer controlled systems were in place. In 1988, environmentally friendly glue is utilized. There are ten production sites within Germany including facilities in St. Katharinen, Bernstadt, and Schonbach according to the company web site birkenstock.de.

The investigation of environmental practices of the company yielded encouraging information as well. According to birkenstock.de, “Birkenstock was one if the first shoe manufacturer worldwide whose production almost exclusively used water-soluble and solvent-free adhesives.”. Today 95% of the adhesives used are environmentally friendly. Additionally, “In-house development of special equipment, constant advancement of production techniques and continued improvement of production processes support Birkenstock’s mandate to invest in energy-saving technology and machinery. Current methods utilize … “large leather punches, which require only approximately 10% of the electric power of regular punches.” Birkenstock also states that they have environmentally friendly power generating plants and they recapture generated heat and utilize it in the cork foot bed drying process. Regarding the raw materials sustainability, the only parts of the shoes that are not completely sustainable are the metal buckles and the polyurethane soles. Birkenstock also aims to cut the affects of production of shoes as well as diminish the amount of foot ware that ends up in land fills by offering repairs and the ability to re-sole, with the minimum amount of materials as possible. In conclusion, it was a refreshing process to research the processes and practices of Birkenstock. From the first steps of the commodity chain being notably sustainable as well as production methods coupled with working conditions that lead the garment industry, Birkenstock is a great example of what other manufacturing companies should strive for. With the brunt of products in the United States being manufactured abroad and minimal examples of domestic production facilities, I felt it would be pertinent to focus on a company that is striving for ever increasing efficiency. While we research and discover the atrocities involved in producing the majority of the clothing we ware, it is

important to remember that there are companies that although, far from perfect are striving for a sustainable future.