From the Mouths of Ortlieb

ORTLIEB products are characterized by tightly sealed closure systems such as roll closures, waterproof zippers, Velcro closure or sliding seal closures. Numerous design features are protected by patents and keep on setting new standards in the bike and outdoor market. The quality products with their special design features are developed by new ideas of a multidisciplinary team that orientates towards the requirements of the market, and thus the increasing demands of the users. And the innovations keep on coming, and are on an average monthly awarded with top marks by independent juries, trade press or design agencies.

Within Germany, ORTLIEB supplies via its own distribution system directly to specialized retailers in the bike, outdoor, trekking, expedition, motorcycle and water sport markets. From the Heilsbronn production site in Germany, ORTLIEB ships worldwide to distribution partners in more than 30 countries. All products are backed by a 5 year warranty against defects in material and manufacturing. ORTLIEB puts high emphasis on customer service including after sales, a fact highly valued by both end consumers and retailers. The principle of short ways within the company allows quick reaction to special customer wishes.

Sustainability plays a key role in daily life of work and production. ORTLIEB is an active member of various interest organizations and working groups. Since 2008 the company is a member of the EOCA (European Outdoor Conservation Association). This initiative collects finances and invests in projects protecting environment and nature all over the world.

As one of the first outdoor equipment companies we remain committed to a holistic, ecological world view. It is especially important to us to take a considerate and respectful approach to nature. This is why we are continuously implementing ways to minimise our carbon footprint, optimizing our eco-balance and at the same time producing highly functional long-lived products with superior customer benefits. Our “Made in Germany” production, our continuously improving efficiency is beneficial in reaching this target. Our production processes are also geared to conservation of resources taking into consideration the product entire life time including recycling.In addition, we are investing in renewable energies: 100 percent of our electricity consumption is generated from renewable energies, one third from our own photovoltaic plant on the company roof. The CO₂ emissions resulting from our gas consumption are 100 % compensated. We are committed to long-term trustful business co-operations with our suppliers in Germany, Europe or throughout the world.

Since ORTLIEB’s foundation in 1982 we produced in Germany and we will maintain our German production site also for the future. More than 70% of the materials used for our products derive from Germany. This is beneficial for humans and the environment, since Germany’s social and environmental standards are quite high in comparison to international standards. Our direct, trustworthy and long term relations to our suppliers are advantageous for us.

90% of all processes take place “in-house” in the ORTLIEB company in Heilsbronn. This allows us to continuously optimize our quality manufacturing and to guarantee that each production step is as environmentally friendly as possible.

OUR CO₂ FOOT PRINT

The climate change caused by humans is today one of the main global threats for all of us. ORTLIEB is aware of its responsibility, and we want to contribute to protecting the environment. Our advantage: most of our products help our customers managing their commute by bicycle or on foot thus protecting the environment.

As producers we want and have to reduce our environmentally damaging emissions as much as possible. In the beginning of 2015 we have set up the first ORTLIEB climate balance (2011-2013) in cooperation with B.A.U.M. Consult that we are continuously updating. Currently we have data available up to the beginning of the year 2018. It assesses all major flows of materials, energies and emissions. This forms a basis for systematically finding and realizing the right measures for effectively reducing our impact on the climate.

The ORTLIEB climate balance includes all three scopes, not only our own emissions:

• Emissions caused directly at ORTLIEB in Heilsbronn (scope 1)
• Emissions caused by production energy (scope 2), e.g. emissions caused by a power plant supplying us with energy
• Emissions prior and subsequent to production (scope 3), e.g. emissions caused by the transport of our products

According to the greenhouse gas protocol (GHG-P) consideration of scope 3 emissions is optional. However, evaluating the entire emissions is far more realistic than just considering the in-house emissions at the production site Heilsbronn: approximately one third of our emissions are caused by transport and dispatch of our products. In total we achieved reducing our impact on the climate by 40% absolut 2011 and 2017 despite an increase in production by reducing air freights in 2011 and choosing sea shipments which are far lower regarding emissions.

Best is avoiding CO₂ emissions; however, if this is impossible, e.g. regarding emissions caused by the production of our workbook or catalogue, we compensate such emissions.