On 3 and 4 December 2020 in Düsseldorf, this year’s winners of the German Sustainability Award were celebrated both live and online for their impactful contributions to sustainable transformation in the economy, communities and research. This award, endorsed by the Federal Government of Germany, is given to one of over 800 candidates and is the most prestigious prize of its kind in Europe.

Mathias Diestelmann, Managing Director of Brands Fashion:

“We are delighted to be rewarded for our commitment and ideals.”

• The jury estimated that the Buchholz company’s collaboration with Sags Apparels and the creation of the Green Factory had truly “laid a milestone” in the field of sustainability.

• The jury particularly admired the companies’ joint efforts towards a holistic, closed production cycle: from the usage of sustainable materials and a resource-saving approach to protect the environment, all the way to improvements in workers’ social and ecological conditions.

The first supply chain in the world to receive Fairtrade Textile Standard certification

Mathias Diestelmann and Silke Rosebrock, the CCO of Brands Fashion, both believe that this award is by no means an excuse to rest on their laurels. “By May 2021, an entire supply chain will have received Faitrade Textile Standard certification,” says Rosebrock. The market leader for sustainable workwear al-ready holds renowned certifications such as the GOTS, Fairtrade Cotton Standard and Grüner Knopf labels. Now, it is committed to introducing living wages throughout the entire supply chain by means of this novel standard.

Change is only possible through joint action

The jury was also impressed by the company’s support of multi-stakeholder events. “We want to bring suppliers together so they can exchange experiences on how to achieve decent living standards by means of improved workers’ rights and necessary wage increases. Changes across the entire branch can only become a reality if other textile companies accompany us on this journey,” says Diestelmann, convinced of this need for collaboration.

Brands Fashion is Europe’s market leader in the field of sustainable workwear

Since 2002, this textiles pioneer has developed high-quality, fashionable work clothing for renowned companies in Europe and the USA. In addition to these feats, Brands Fashion’s portfolio also includes a wide range of private label, merchandising and pro-motion articles. Customers’ individual requirements are at the heart of the company’s projects. Brands Fashion offers full services to its clients: from creative design and market-oriented product development all the way to global logistics and online store solutions. In 2019, Brands Fashion joined hands with the Danish company Scan-Thor to create GoJungo GmbH. This start-up offers an innovative platform and undertakes complex, time-consuming processes for brands to ensure the successful sale of their products on marketplaces, especially textiles.