SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is just around the corner.

At Strauss, we assume responsibility not only for our economic actions but also for the health and welfare of our people and the environment. When we make decisions, we consider the social, ecological, and economic aspects equally.

HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS

PRODUCTS

In addition to high functionality and innovative design, we understand quality also includes aspects of safety, environmental sustainability, and economic fairness. This is true throughout our product value chain, from development, to sustainable sourcing, to delivery.

TRANSPARENT COTTON SUPPLY CHAIN

SUPPORTING FARMERS TO MORE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

In 2024, Engelbert Strauss, Inc. joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. Our Trust Protocol membership underlines our ongoing commitment to finding more sustainable solutions for sourcing products and enabling farmers to implement more responsible and ecologically friendly practices.

The Trust Protocol was launched in 2020 with the vision to set a new standard in sustainable cotton production, with a major focus on creating transparency and reducing the environmental footprint. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is the only farm-level, science-based program that provides quantifiable, verifiable goals in six key sustainability metrics: land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. For more information on Trust Protocol, please find their annual report here.

  • The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear, and other sewn products companies and their suppliers.

  • At Engelbert Strauss, Inc. we’re proud to be a member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a program designed to set a new standard for sustainably grown cotton, from farms to fiber.

COLLECTIVE VOICE IN THE INDUSTRY

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) represents more than 1,000 brands, retailers, and manufacturers in the sector. Formed in 2000, the AAFA is committed to positive change for the apparel and footwear industry. With integrity and determination, the AAFA represents its members in a unified and reliable voice on important, forward-looking legislative and regulatory issues. In addition, the AAFA provides a platform for exchange and promotion to encourage best practices and innovation. The AAFA's comprehensive work ensures the continued success and growth of a responsible apparel and footwear industry, its suppliers, and its customers.

Engelbert Strauss, Inc. joined the AAFA in 2024 to support a collective voice for positive change in the apparel and footwear industry. More information about the AAFA can be found here.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

PRODUCTION

We manufacture our products around the world. Depending on our product category and partner company specialization, our products could originate in Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas. We have a bond of trust based on years of collaboration with many of our production partners, and we take pride in supporting the long-term employment of thousands of people.

 

We carefully select our international partners and suppliers to ensure a pleasant and humane working environment at our production sites while also supporting environmental sustainability.

TRUSTING PARTNERSHIPS

We manufacture our products in more than 25 countries across the globe—primarily in Asia, but also in Europe, America, Africa. Before selecting a partner, we check compliance with human rights and labor rights. We also take national studies into account and talk to stakeholders or other brand manufacturers to ensure all partners meet our strict standards. Only then do we analyze the opportunities and challenges associated with operating a production facility in a new country.

Environmental awareness in all company departments

ENVIRONMENT

As a family business, it’s particularly important that we leave future generations with the same living conditions and natural resources that are available to us today. This commitment to the environment is a continuous corporate responsibility. We’re always looking to promote new environmentally sustainable developments and ideas all along our value chain, from the careful selection of the raw materials to the virtual product manufacturing process through to logistics and the disposal of packaging. We take our environmental footprint seriously at every step.