Shoe fashion from Austria: Hartjes lives sustainability

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It's great that it's back in vogue to source products from the local area and from trusted manufacturers. Hartjes' company history harmonizes with this megatrend: the company has always operated according to the principles of sustainability and regionality. Since 1953, the shoe manufacturer has consciously focused on tradition and progress at the same time. This self-image of entrepreneurship is still practiced every day. This is how Hartjes developed into Austria's largest family-owned shoe manufacturer.

Production in Austria

A remarkable 80% of the added value in the manufacturing process is located directly at the company headquarters in Pramet.
From product development to packaging, the focus is on responsibility for people and the environment.

Photovoltaic system on the roof of the company building

Energy is generated at the Hartjes site in Pramet in a climate-friendly, resource-saving and emission-free manner.

Shortest possible distances to suppliers

When sourcing materials, Hartjes strives to take short routes.
For example, 98% of the upper and lining leather comes from Europe.
The suppliers in Germany, Italy and Croatia are located within a 600-kilometer radius.
Only 2% of the precious raw materials come from Pakistan.
Why are 5,300 kilometers as the crow flies accepted here?
Because goat meat plays practically no role in our diet, it is not possible to obtain goat feed leather of a comparable quality to that from the South Asian region in Europe.

The Czech Republic and Slovenia are the frontrunners in the short supply chain when it comes to sourcing materials for soles, with distances of just 300 kilometers.
Italy, Spain and Portugal vary between 600 and 2,000 kilometers.
These figures set Hartjes apart from many other shoe manufacturers, most of which have their production in Asia and India.
After all, according to The World Footwear 2019 Yearbook, 86.2% of shoes originate in China.

Raw material with food-safe certificate

The natural cork footbed from Hartjes is food-safe.
High standards are adhered to.
These are checked in independent audits by external inspectors from the Austrian research and testing institute OFI – Fortschritt in guten Händen.
The award of the food-safe certificate is a visible sign of responsibility and reliability for Hartjes.
The pillars of sustainability at Hartjes are a sign of modern corporate management and progress in harmony with the climate and resources.
Self-confident women feel the benefits of this corporate philosophy as soon as they slip into a Hartjes shoe.
Placing value on comfort and quality pays off.