Nature, mountains, coastlines, forests and meadows – these are the places we find solace, where we tank up on energy. Our employees are our most valuable asset. That is why protecting the environment and people underpins everything we do: Social responsibility, using resources efficiently, short transportation routes and high-quality materials, these are our building blocks. Because we’re not interested in short-term profit maximisation, but instead in uniting business with environmental and social practices, which in turn gives HANWAG the basis for a secure future.
Where are HANWAG boots made?
Our footwear is exclusively made in Europe – at our company headquarters in Vierkirchen, as well as at our own production site in Hungary, and at our partner producer in Croatia, with whom we’ve worked for decades and who manufactures exclusively for us. In addition, we cooperate with other long-standing partners in Serbia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Our footwear production is a complex process that cannot be automated for the most part. Having high quality raw materials is just as crucial as having skilled employees, who understand and are skilled in traditional craftsmanship techniques. We are one of very few manufacturers worldwide to produce most of our models using the cemented construction method. The double-stitched method in particular is only mastered by a handful of shoemakers these days. We are therefore extremely proud of all the employees at our production sites.
Who works at and for Hanwag?
Diversity within the workforce is the guiding principle of our human resources policy. In addition to competence and motivation, ethically and morally correct behaviour is one of the most important qualifying indicators of our employees. We do not discriminate against anyone and do not tolerate any discrimination whether based on gender, ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other characteristics. Instead, we believe that encouraging diversity enriches us as people and as a company. We have also joined independent initiatives and NGOs. Compliance with social criteria is an indispensable part of our ethical and moral convictions – but also essential for the first-rate quality of our products: We can only achieve the high standards we set for our product range with committed, qualified and happy employees. It is their competence and commitment that are our most valuable assets.
How is HANWAG’s supply chain structured?
Almost all our raw material suppliers are within the EU. For us, keeping things local is a basic requirement in guaranteeing the quality of our raw materials, keeping transportation routes short and ensuring our manufacturing is of high quality and environmentally responsible. We have been very selective in choosing our partners. They share our conviction that short-term profit maximisation and short-lived relationships are not the basis of success, but rather trust, responsibility and mutual respect.
For many decades, we have maintained close cooperation with suppliers such as the Heinen tannery, for example. This fourth-generation family business is not only a pioneer, but also a driver of the leather industry in terms of socially responsible and eco-friendly processing methods. Under the terracare® brand, they also offer sustainable leather that comes from certified organic farms and is processed in an energy- and resource-efficient way. terracare® leather is used in many of our models, such as the HANWAG Alaska in Earth/Brown.
Which raw materials does Hanwag use?
In addition to our skilled craftsmanship and our sustainable designs, which allows most of our boots to be resoled, high-quality raw materials are essential for us. They must be outstanding in terms of durability and quality.
High quality leather
One of our most important raw materials is leather. All the hides we use are a by-product of food production. Products from animals that are killed without being intended for human consumption are not acceptable for our manufacturing. We also refuse to work with partners who do not guarantee animal welfare standards and appropriate slaughtering methods.
