COLLABORATION INSTEAD OF COMPETITION
When it comes to sustainability, the players in the textile industry often face the same challenges, and yet every company and every brand often goes it alone and tries to master the challenges themselves. ‘However, we can achieve a much greater impact through dialogue, collaboration and co-creation,’ says Jochen Schmidt, Head of Quality, Values & Sustainability at HAKRO. In order to increase its clout, the Quality, Values & Sustainability division has organised a unique event concept - the IMPACT Barcamp. The innovative event took place for the first time on 20 and 21 October in the new showroom at HAKRO in Schrozberg, which is also the company's communication centre. Among the guests: around 40 sustainability managers from textile companies in the fashion and outdoor sectors as well as standard setters and solution providers such as Fair Wear, Cotton made in Africa and GoBlu. Under the motto ‘Action through Co-Creation’, the IMPACT Barcamp called for active participation. In contrast to traditional, pre-structured events, the agenda was jointly designed by all participants based on their current topics and interests. The only thing that was fixed at the beginning was the overarching theme of ‘sustainability in the textile industry’ - and the desire to make a difference together. ‘Learning from each other, sharing challenges, being inspired by new perspectives, discovering different and new paths together, thinking creatively and creating success together - all of this was at the centre of our first HAKRO IMPACT Barcamp,’ says a delighted Anna Rüchardt from the Quality, Values & Sustainability department at HAKRO. The first day was dedicated entirely to getting to know each other. After a welcome in the showroom and a brief introduction to the barcamp idea, a joint dinner and an exchange at the cocktail bar invited participants to deepen their contacts. The next morning, there was a call for active participation and the joint agenda was planned. The result: 16 sessions spread throughout the day on various challenges and issues. For example, one session was dedicated to traceability and transparency in supply chains, while another session focussed on the topic of seals and standards, while the parallel sessions dealt with greenwashing in sustainability communication and the search for the right way to deal with interfaces between the sustainability department, sales and marketing. After an exciting day of brainstorming, discussions and constructive exchange, the IMPACT Barcamp came to an end with dinner and a cosy get-together at the in-house Harry's Bar. ‘Admittedly, we were very nervous at the beginning about whether a barcamp was the right event format and how it would be received by our sustainability colleagues,’ recalls Jochen Schmidt. But the consistently positive feedback from the participants (‘Inspiring format, mind-blowing, mega!’) wiped away any concerns. ‘The IMPACT Barcamp was a real enrichment for all of us! We are delighted with the cheerful atmosphere and the new impulses that we were able to develop together. After the positive response, we can well imagine continuing the barcamp next year,’ adds Anna Rüchardt.
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LAMMSBRÄUER SUSTAINABILITY AWARD 2021
Our goal is to become the most sustainable provider of corporate wear. We realise this aspiration in all our business decisions and pursue this goal with the highest priority. We were delighted when our extraordinary commitment was rewarded with something special on 23 September: We received the Lammsbräuer Sustainability Award in the ‘Family-run company’ category for 2021.This important prize was awarded for the 20th time in the six categories ‘Media professionals’, ‘NPO’, ‘Sustainable business model innovation’, ‘Driver of the circular economy’, ‘Outstanding commitment’ and ‘Family-run company’. All award winners are characterised by their commitment to sustainability on an ecological, social, economic and cultural level. The high-ranking jury for the prestigious sustainability award consisted of seven sustainability experts from the fields of business, science and the environment. We convinced the jury with our holistic sustainability management, which we have been implementing since 2015 in the five areas of corporate governance, products, employees, environment and commitment. Numerous certifications and seals attest to our continuous commitment and have accompanied us ever since. These include the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), Bangladesh Accord and UN Global Compact. Values such as cohesion, fairness and loyalty are firmly anchored in all our divisions and are practised in our daily dealings with employees, partners and customers.The decisive factor for the jury was above all our critical and analytical view, which is necessary to successfully implement sustainability. The HAKRO ‘Sustainability Report 2019’, for example, not only records progress and goals, but also documents the need to catch up. Constantly reviewing, rethinking and realigning the next steps is essential for us. ‘We are very proud to have won this important sustainability award,’ adds Jochen Schmidt, HAKRO Head of the Quality, Values & Sustainability team. After being nominated for the German Sustainability Award 2018 and being ranked among the top 10 best sustainability reports in 2018, the award is another nice confirmation of our commitment. What makes us particularly happy is that we did not actively apply for the award, but rather were nominated for this prestigious prize.
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FORWARD-LOOKING SIGNAL: HAKRO GOES FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION
We have been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 1 January 2021, taking the next big step on our consistent path towards even greater sustainability. The Fair Wear Foundation brings together local partners in production countries, associations, NGOs and textile companies from various sectors. The common goal: innovative solutions and a sustainable improvement in working conditions in textile production.With our membership, we are once again emphasising our claim to be one of the most sustainable suppliers in our industry. We want to produce high-quality and particularly durable textiles for our customers - while ensuring the highest possible ecological and social standards. By becoming a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, we are committed to the highest social standards - both for the employees of our production partners abroad and for the 175 employees at our site in Schrozberg.As part of our membership, we have signed the strict Fair Wear Code of Conduct. This formulates eight criteria for fair working conditions, which we have made our goal. These include: living wages, reasonable working hours, safe working conditions and a clear no to child labour. Fair working conditions have always been a top priority for us. By joining the Fair Wear Foundation, we are delighted to have a partner at our side who supports us with their experience and network in taking the next step in our supply chain management.Incidentally, the Fair Wear Foundation audits HAKRO's sustainability management in an annual Brand Performance Check. The co-operation with our production partners, our joint measures on site and everything we do at our company headquarters in Schrozberg are scrutinised in detail.
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GREEN BUTTON FOR COLLECTION LINE ORGANIC
Whether Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Alliance for Sustainable Textiles, Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), Bangladesh Accord or UN Global Compact - at HAKRO we can already point to a whole range of certificates and seals. These are all testimony to our consistent and comprehensive sustainability strategy. Since March, this has also included the Green Button seal, for which certain state-defined criteria and high environmental and social standards must be met. It is the first government sustainability seal for textiles and has been awarded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) since 2019.Our T-shirts and polo shirts from the Organic collection line had to fulfil 26 criteria on the product side in order to receive the seal. What is important in this context is that the Green Button is verified using existing, generally recognised and credible certifications such as the GOTS seal. In addition, 20 criteria were tested with regard to our company-specific management practice, risk analysis and sustainability strategy. Because, unlike the GOTS label, the label does not cover the entire supply chain in its introductory phase until the end of June 2021, but only the last two processing steps (dyeing/bleaching and cutting/sewing), we discussed the added value of the Green Button internally for a long time. After all, the majority of our products are dyed, bleached, cut and sewn in the same GOTS-certified production facilities under the same GOTS-certified working conditions as our GOTS-certified Organic collection line. Paradoxically, however, these textiles are not allowed to carry the Green Button due to their lack of GOTS certification.Nevertheless, we at HAKRO see great potential in the Green Button as an overarching government seal and an important signal for more transparency in the supply chains. As a certified company, we feel encouraged in our commitment to sustainability and would like to play a constructive role in the future development process of the new Green Button label and play a decisive role in shaping it.
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BIG ANNIVERSARY, BIG JOY - WE CELEBRATE 50 YEARS AND SAY THANK YOU!
Wow, 50 years of HAKRO! That's 50 years of quality. 50 years of customer focus. And 50 years of team spirit. So it's no wonder that everything at HAKRO is centred around the big anniversary in 2019. After all, you only turn 50 once, so it's time to celebrate!The starting signal for the big HAKRO anniversary year was given on 29 May. On this special date, exactly 50 years ago, the Harry Kroll company was officially entered in the commercial register - and the success story began.Exactly 50 years later to the day, we celebrated our anniversary with 175 employees in Schrozberg - with cool drinks, a delicious barbecue, good music and the very best party atmosphere. And that was just the beginning ...Look forward with us to a moving and eventful anniversary year full of surprises!50 years of HAKRO - a brief look back:HAKRO's success story begins with outerwear items for men, women and children on a sales area of just 25 square metres. But because word of good quality quickly spread even then, the ‘Harry Kroll clothing store’ grew continuously. Branches were soon opened in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.In the 1980s, the focus shifted to workwear and sportswear. Printed and finished textiles become increasingly popular. The first collection under the HAKRO label is launched in 1987. The shops are sold and the HAKRO brand is now only sold through selected retail partners.HAKRO continues to grow. In 2000, the first logistics centre is opened and a high-bay warehouse is built. 2003 Carmen Kroll and Thomas Müller lead HAKRO into the future as dual leadership - and carry on the values of the founding couple. In 2010, not only is a second high-bay warehouse built, but also the Harry Kroll Foundation. In 2018, the third high-bay warehouse is built - with a consistent focus on ecological aspects.Today, HAKRO has a logistics area of over 9,000 square metres. 175 employees work at the headquarters in Schrozberg. A further 2,500 people are employed by our worldwide production partners. The values shaped by Harry Kroll still apply today. And we will continue to work on the sustainable success of our traditional brand with hand, heart and attitude in the future.With this in mind, we would like to thank all our customers, retail partners and employees for their loyalty and trusting co-operation - and we look forward to the next 50 years!
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THE CRAILSHEIM MERLINS BECOME THE HAKRO MERLINS CRAILSHEIM
It is a big step for HAKRO and the Merlins, but also a logical one. And a logical one. HAKRO has been a sponsor of the Crailsheim Merlins since 1997. In 2007, the internationally active Schrozberg-based textile company decided to intensify its involvement with the Merlins as the exclusive team outfitter. This support has been continuously expanded since then. Since 2010, the company has been the name sponsor of the HAKRO Arena Crailsheim, the former venue and still the ‘living room’ of the Crailsheim Merlins. Last but not least, in 2014 HAKRO secured a place directly under the hearts of the players as shirt sponsor. Just in time for the start of the upcoming easyCredit BBL season, HAKRO is now moving even further forward. Right in the centre of the club logo.The fact that they share the same vision and pursue the same goals is demonstrated by the subtle move by those responsible at HAKRO, who in turn will free up the most prominent space on the Merlins jersey. ‘This gives a new partner the chance to share their enthusiasm for our teams at this point,’ says Merlins Managing Director Martin Romig. The jersey sponsorship has not yet been awarded, but the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim want to have successfully put out feelers by the start of the 2018/19 season.The naming sponsorship agreement with HAKRO is initially for five years. In sport, this is a comfortable period of time that allows HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim to think and act long-term and offers optimal prospects. "We have received a signal from HAKRO that we couldn't wish for better with regard to a potential name sponsor. Someone wants to support our path, not use us emotionlessly as a short-term investment or impose a new face on us. The agreement with HAKRO offers us medium to long-term development opportunities. For the active teams, but also for our already very successful youth team," explains Martin Romig with satisfaction.
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HAKRO IS A NEW PARTNER OF COTTON MADE IN AFRICA
‘Cotton made in Africa convinced us,’ comments Carmen Kroll, Managing Partner of HAKRO GmbH. "The standard takes both social and ecological aspects into account. And by participating, we can make a contribution to stabilising the cotton sector in Africa and improving living and working conditions in the countries where the cotton is grown."Following the recent launch of the Organic collection made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, Cotton made in Africa is a further measure by the medium-sized company to significantly increase the proportion of sustainably produced natural fibres in the coming years. The company has the CmiA cotton processed by an independent production partner in Turkey, which manufactures polo shirts, sweatshirts and sweat jackets for HAKRO. The company is subject to the requirements of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI).Tina Stridde, Managing Director of the Aid by Trade Foundation, the sponsor of CmiA, recognises the new partnership: "HAKRO shows that companies in the textile sector of corporate fashion, work, leisure and sport can also increase their sustainability performance with Cotton made in Africa and make it visible to their customers. More and more sustainably orientated companies are placing higher social and ecological demands on their workwear. We are therefore delighted to have gained a renowned partner in HAKRO, who is working with us to support small farmers in Africa and forward-looking corporate fashion."As the largest initiative for sustainably produced cotton in Africa, Cotton made in Africa represents a sustainable basis for the textile chain worldwide. It gives a face to small farmers who are at the beginning of the fashion industry. Hundreds of thousands of smallholders benefit from agricultural and business management training that helps them to improve their yields and cultivation methods. Women are strengthened in their social and professional independence and factory workers benefit from improved working conditions. In return, companies gain a sustainable raw material that respects human rights and protects nature.HAKRO and the AbTF are members of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (Textiles Partnership), which campaigns for more socially and ecologically sustainable production conditions in the textile chain.
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