Vaude
Family-owned (von Dewitz family) · Germany
Vaude is a German outdoor brand founded in 1974 by Albrecht von Dewitz and based in Obereisenbach near Tettnang, on Lake Constance. It remains fully family-owned and has been led since 2009 by his daughter Antje von Dewitz. The company is widely regarded as one of the most sustainability-focused brands in the outdoor industry.
| Founded | 1974 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Albrecht von Dewitz |
| Owner | von Dewitz family (100 per cent) |
| Headquarters | Obereisenbach, Tettnang, Germany |
| Managing director | Antje von Dewitz (since 2009) |
| Sustainability label | Green Shape (since 2010) |
| Website | vaude.com |
What is Vaude?
Vaude (usually written VAUDE) makes outdoor clothing, footwear, backpacks, bike bags, tents and sleeping bags for cycling, hiking, trekking, ski touring and mountaineering. The operating company, VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG, is headquartered in Obereisenbach near Tettnang in southern Germany and is 100 per cent family-owned.
History
Albrecht von Dewitz founded the company in 1974 as a one-man mountaineering equipment business, using the initials of his surname to create the brand name. A company building with its own production facility followed in Obereisenbach in 1980. Early product milestones included the Space dome tent in 1983 and the Aqua bike bags in 1992. In 2009 his daughter Antje von Dewitz took over management of the company.
Products and positioning
Vaude is a premium outdoor brand with a strong focus on cycling. Bike bags, rucksacks and bags are still manufactured at the Tettnang site and labelled "Made in Germany". The wider range covers:
- Outdoor and cycling apparel for women, men and children
- Backpacks and bike bags
- Tents, sleeping bags and camping equipment
- Footwear
Sustainability
Sustainability is central to the brand. In 2008 Vaude became the first outdoor company to have its environmental management certified under EMAS. Its Green Shape label, introduced in 2010, now covers about 80 per cent of the collection, and most products have carried the German state textile label Grüner Knopf since 2019. The company has committed to science-based targets, aiming to halve its emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040.
Business model and distribution
Vaude sells mainly through specialist outdoor and bicycle retailers. Europe is served from its logistics site in Obereisenbach, while North America and Asia are supplied directly from producers to sales partners. The company also operates factory outlets and has a franchise subsidiary.
Why it matters
Vaude is a frequently cited example of how a family-owned company can make environmental management a core part of its strategy and brand. Its local production of bike bags and its role as a founding member of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles make it a reference for the German apparel industry.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Vaude?
Vaude is 100 per cent owned by the von Dewitz family and is in its second generation. Founder Albrecht von Dewitz's daughter Antje von Dewitz has led the company since 2009.
Where is Vaude from?
Vaude is a German brand from Obereisenbach near Tettnang, close to Lake Constance. The company still manufactures bike bags and rucksacks at its headquarters.