Interview: What makes a BÄR shoe sustainable?
Watch the interview live on YouTube or read the complete transcript here. Find out how BÄR approaches sustainability!
INTERVIEW BETWEEN DR. CLAUDIA SCHULZ AND CHRISTOF BÄR:
Dr. Claudia Schulz: At BÄR Shoes, we have always talked a great deal about sustainability, and I think it is fair to say that BÄR has been a protagonist in sustainability since a time when nobody was talking about it yet. Similar to barefoot shoes, where I would also say—I do not know whether you invented them—but you are certainly among the pioneers, I would also say that you are one of the best-practice examples when it comes to sustainability. Nevertheless, I would like to ask you again: what makes BÄR particularly sustainable? You have just mentioned one aspect: in our model selection and product range, we make sure not to offer too much or too many new products; instead, we offer classic models with appropriate innovations. But when I think about sustainability, I also think of topics such as production and material selection. Perhaps you could give a few more examples of what makes BÄR sustainable?
Christof Bär: Yes, it has always been important to us that we do not try to change the world single-handedly. We will not achieve that, nor is it our task. But what we can contribute to sustainability—to ensure that we do not leave our world in a worse state than we found it—is, of course, a core consideration in a family business. We want to do something and pass the business on in a way that does not leave it exhausted, as if to say, “Do whatever you want with it.” Instead, it should be something that genuinely helps people continue to enjoy nature. We can only preserve nature if we do not exploit or merely consume it, and several issues are therefore important to us. First, the product must last a long time. Because the most sustainable product is any product that does not need to be produced. Our shoes last longer, and when the soles have worn down, customers can have the shoes resoled—using only the components that have worn away. You do not replace the entire car when the tires are worn out; you replace only the tires. Our shoes can be treated this way because of their high-quality materials and construction: the upper remains durable and can often be refurbished, while the wear parts—in this case, naturally, the sole—can be replaced easily. This can be done by a local cobbler, because it is very important to us not to ship more goods back and forth just to replace a small piece of sole at a worn heel. We recommend local cobblers through our stores, which also helps create a local community.
Dr. Claudia Schulz: So once again, you work with local partners—that is very good. I think this partnership-based approach is very important because it is naturally beneficial for the retailer as well. If they can find a shoemaker—and many companies in this sector still have their own shoemakers on-site or nearby.
Christof Bär: Exactly—that is the value of personal contact. The more contact people have with the brand, the better. We see this time and again. We also speak with local shoemakers, who confirm that BÄR shoes are very well made and that they enjoy working on them. This leads to further recommendations, which are also very important for the retailer, because we stand behind our products and any doubts about adding the shoes to the range are completely unfounded. Experts recognize the value, and that naturally carries over to the customer. In addition, we use natural crepe soles, which are genuinely processed without leaving residues and are produced from a natural material in a truly controlled, sustainable way. The trees that provide the latex milk are managed in a controlled manner, much like forestry in our region. We replant what is necessary and take great care to preserve the resource over the long term.
Dr. Claudia Schulz: So you have full oversight? You know exactly what is delivered, when and where, and from which factories—that means they are probably certified in the way one would expect?
Christof Bär: They are certified. We manage the entire supply chain, from the idea and production through to the end customer, which allows us to guarantee that we know where the materials come from and how they are processed. We also meet high standards by conducting audits in accordance with the usual standards and continually asking what we need to achieve in terms of environmental protection—particularly energy reduction. For example, we switched to photovoltaic power a long time ago, both in our production facilities and here. We generate more than 50% of our energy requirements through photovoltaics, reducing our footprint by 50% in this area alone. When tanning our leathers, we work with tanneries that meet LWG (Leather Working Group) Gold standards for upper leather. For our hiking boots, we specifically use terracare leather. This material is produced in a highly energy- and resource-efficient way. It is nevertheless waterproof and meets high standards for durability and performance. For lining leather, we now use almost exclusively chrome-free tanned leather, which does not use heavy metals in the tanning process. This also allows us to offer customers a natural product: people with a chrome allergy can wear a BÄR shoe with complete confidence thanks to the chrome-free tanning process.
Dr. Claudia Schulz: Especially since these are aspects that customers—in other words, end consumers—are increasingly asking for.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AT BÄR:
