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Löffler named Oeko-Tex Company of the Month

A first Austrian clothing producer to receive EMAS certification for improvements to operational environmental protection has become Oeko-Tex Company of the Month.

14th July 2014

Knitting Industry
 |  Zurich

Intimate Apparel, Sports/​Activewear

Löffler, an Austria based premium sportswear manufacturer, has become Oeko-Tex Company of the Month for July 2014.

The company has grown into an ultra-modern and successful company since its foundation in 1973. Its sport and lifestyle collections are still manufactured for the most part in the company's own production facilities in Ried.

Löffler aims to optimally provide endurance sports enthusiasts with high quality sportswear and functional underwear in all areas such as ski touring, running, biking or outdoor. © Löffler

Almost all the textile products have been meeting the human-ecological requirements of Oeko-Tex Standard 100 since 1994. The company has also been certified according to STeP by Oeko-Tex for its environmentally friendly and socially responsible manufacturing conditions since June 2014.

Highest functionality

Löffler aims to optimally provide endurance sports enthusiasts with high quality sportswear and functional underwear in all areas such as ski touring, running, biking or outdoor.

The product lines are designed to perform effectively under a wide variety of different conditions by ensuring an optimum body temperature. Otto Leodolter (Mag.), Managing Director of Löffler, commented: “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.”

The company was the very first Austrian clothing manufacturer to receive EMAS certification for continuous improvements to operational environmental protection on a voluntary basis. © Löffler

“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.”

Leader in sportswear

Elfriede Löffler founded the company in Ried in 1947, which initially specialised 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.

Today, the company employs around 200 people locally. Each year, more than 1.3 million items of clothing are produced, with around 60% being exported to Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Löffler is also said to have an important position in Scandinavia and the growing Russian market.

The collections are sold only by specialist sports and bike shops. “Löffler is different because unlike most of our competitors, Löffler had already decided at the start of the 1990s to keep production in Austria,” said Otto Leodolter.

Production

Sportswear from Löffler represents an added value in Austria of 80%, measured from development through to final production. 70% of all materials processed by Löffler are from the company's own knitting mill in Ried.

Sportswear from Löffler represents an added value in Austria of 80%, measured from development through to final production. © Löffler

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.

“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,” said the Managing Director.

Success

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, Löffler developed a Transtex fibre combination in which cotton is replaced by Tencel - a natural cellulose fibre manufactured to conserve natural resources.

In 2013, Löffler was also presented with the INEO award for excellent teaching for its training programme in its own trainee academy.

www.loeffler.at

www.oeko-tex.com

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