LÖFFLER GmbH, based in Ried, Upper Austria, has grown into an ultra-modern and successful company since its foundation in 1973. The company's sport and lifestyle collections are still manufactured for the most part in the company's own production facilities in Ried. Almost all the textile products have been meeting the human-ecological requirements of OEKO-TEX Standard 100 since 1994. In addition, the company has been certified according to STeP by OEKO-TEX for its environmentally friendly and socially responsible manufacturing conditions since June 2014.
Nordic sports, ski touring, running, biking or outdoor: In all areas, LÖFFLER aims to optimally provide endurance sports enthusiasts with high-quality sportswear and functional underwear. The product lines perform impressively under a wide variety of different conditions by ensuring an optimum body temperature – even in the rain, wind and cold.
Otto Leodolter (Mag.), managing director of Löffler GmbH, is delighted that customers appreciate this: “Since 1973, LÖFFLER has been known as a pioneer for sportswear with highest functionality and excellent comfort to anyone who is active and places value on the perfect sportswear. In addition, the long-term cooperation with the most successful ski associations in the world results in the highest quality standards on the one hand, and provides us with great impetus for our innovative force on the other. Every LÖFFLER customer benefits from this at first hand.”
Elfriede Löffler – from the Kunert stocking and sock dynasty – founded the company in Ried in 1947. It initially specialised primarily in fine pantyhose and women's knitwear. In 1973, LÖFFLER was taken over by ski manufacturer Fischer, also based in Ried, and the company took a new direction. The route into a “sports” future had begun; today, the company employs around 200 people locally. Each year, more than 1.3 million items of clothing are produced, with around 60 percent being exported, above all to Germany, Switzerland and Italy. LÖFFLER also has an important position in Scandinavia and the growing Russian market, especially with its winter product lines.
The collections are sold only by specialist sports and bike shops. “LÖFFLER is different,” says Otto Leodolter, “because unlike most of our competitors, LÖFFLER had already decided at the start of the 1990s to keep production in Austria. Needless to say, in line with the highest ethical and ecological standards, and with well-qualified, competent and motivated employees and above all, away from the pursuit of maximum profit margins at any cost.”
And indeed, sportswear from LÖFFLER represents an added value in Austria of 80%, measured from development through to final production. 70 percent of all materials processed by LÖFFLER are from the company's own knitting mill in Ried.
Around one third of all sewing work is still carried out directly at the LÖFFLER site in Ried; partner companies in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria are also involved in production. Their equipment also meets the highest quality standards, in some cases with LÖFFLER machines. All bought-in yarns, materials and zip fasteners as well as material finishing meet the criteria of OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
“LÖFFLER customers expect maximum quality, durability and service from their sportswear. They expect their sportswear to be absolutely safe for health and to be manufactured with high social and ecological responsibility. Sportswear from LÖFFLER offers all of this,” says the managing director.
Since 1995, a continuous improvement process (CIP) at LÖFFLER has ensured that work procedures are constantly optimised and product quality is at a consistently high level. Otto Leodolter stresses: “At LÖFFLER we don't just talk about environmental awareness, we live it every day. For example the selection of base materials that are close to nature, reduced energy consumption and environmentally compatible waste disposal.” The company was also the very first Austrian clothing manufacturer to receive EMAS certification for continuous improvements to operational environmental protection on a voluntary basis.
In 2012, together with the Austrian fibre production company Lenzing AG, LÖFFLER developed a Transtex fibre combination in which cotton is replaced by TENCEL - a natural cellulose fibre manufactured to conserve natural resources. LÖFFLER is particularly proud of the relationship of trust that has developed for its employees through the marked social responsibility in the company: Employees feel at ease, as evinced by their great flexibility in the company and the fact that they stay with the company far longer than average. In 2013, LÖFFLER was also presented with the INEO award for excellent teaching for its training program in its own trainee academy.
