Over the course of our corporate history, we at ALBERTO have consistently implemented measures and projects aiming at sustainable development, long before the term had the meaning it has today. In fact, one could even s ay that the establishment of the company as such was based on upcycling, i.e. an approach to sustainable manufacturing. Before he later specialized in the production of men’s pants, Dr. Albert Dormanns made jackets, trousers and career clothing from return inventory, sample coupons and acquired surplus merchandise in 1922. This early understanding of sustainability of course sprang from a crisis, just like it always does when it makes an appearance in history. At the same time, the subsequent success story also tells us that this awareness of scarcity was the point of departure – and still is today - the basis for our future development amid our innovative ambitions. It is a fundamental concept from which we are still profiting today.
CRAFTSMANSHIP PRECISION REQUIRES ESTEEM. IN EVERY ASPECT.
At our studios in Mönchengladbach we still keep our eyes on fresh new developments, plays with designs, seek out new materials and finetune our cuts, the form and the function of our garments. Every fabric, each button, any type of yarn is carefully chosen before it is allowed to be combined in the collection. The result of all this passion and experience: the perfect symbiosis of experiments and perfectionism. But this is also a creative process that requires leeway. That is why our corporate culture is characterized by joint respect, esteem, forthrightness, trust and courage and as a result, also by conscientiousness paired with plenty of room for decision-making and readiness to change. This creates dynamics, and it incentivizes us to move forward with our eyes trained on the future.
As an employer we also contribute to a perfect work-life balance and the lasting wellness of our employees through life phase oriented, flexible work time models, financial support for health promoting sports and nutritional offers and the fostering of the professional and personal development of our staff.
TESTED AND CHECKED THROUGH AND THROUGH.
All ALBERTO pants are developed with a great love for detail in Germany at our Mönchengladbach headquarters. When choosing the materials, 95 percent of which are sourced in Europe and 5 percent in Asia, we ensure they are absolutely safe. Uninterrupted traceability, all the way to the top cloth, is a given. We also visit all our suppliers on location. Together we define social, environmental and quality assurance standards and audit compliance. We also give preference to vendors who are pursuing their own sustainability projects, as well as materials that are already Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. Our NOS as well as all seasonal collections are uniformly certified with the respective seal. As of 2022, the entire ALBERTO Collection will be Oeko-Tex Standard 100 compliant. In a second step, at the time of sampling, all materials are tested for their physical properties in our own lab, and for chemical characteristics in a third party lab. A top fabric must meet our in-house quality standards to be included in our collection. A final in-house inspection of the 15 to 20 we perform is conducted before the merchandise is retailed.
FAIR TREATMENT OF PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
ALBERTO pants are exclusively manufactured by a handful of dependable European and Tunisian partner companies with whom we maintain trust-based relationships. We are of course members of the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) and its Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), which guarantees, for instance, fair work hours and compensation, workplace safety and social benefits. It also undertakes to comply with the UN Global Compact and the OECD Guidelines. All production partners are BSCI audited. To ensure adherence to these standards on all levels, we visit and audit our partner operations on location. The laundry facilities, where our pants receive their inimitable look, are virtually all DIN ISO 9000 and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. In addition, the laundry facilities hold an SA 8000 certificate, which incorporates the BSCI guidelines. We have been foregoing the sand blasting process in the finishing of pants for years. ALBERTO’s cooperation with its producers is based on partnerships that have endured for years. They are all part of our family and have thus earned our unrestricted attention and support. Besides continuous exchanges, this also includes periodic training, raising sustainability awareness, hardware consulting and also financial support with new acquisitions in this segment.
CHECKED? INDEED!
DETAIL ORIENTED? BUT OF COURSE!
We also consider the responsible handling of resources an important part of a high quality production process. Leather labels used on ALBERTO pants are, without any exceptions, ancillary products of farm animals that would be thrown away if it were not for this sustainable upcycling option. The degree of usage of our top fabrics is currently 85 percent. The remaining 1 percent are reused. When it comes to the transportation of goods, we also consistently bet on the reuse of transportation packaging and hangers. By the way, the latter are made of 100 percent recycled plastic. For the delivery of pants, we use garment bags made of recycled materials instead of film. Last, but not least, we refresh garments that are returned and donate them to aid organizations to assist people in emergencies.
PREFERABLY STRAIGHT FORWARD. FROM PERSON TO PERSON
ALBERTO has strong regional roots. We are aware of our responsibilities, especially within the region. Being conscious of our origins, we work as initiators, sponsors or donors, primarily in regional projects we see added value in and that we thus consider particularly worthy of support. They include projects that help young talent. For instance, we are fostering members of the Economic Faculty at the Lower Rhine University and advocate for science with our financial involvement in research as well as teachings. ALBERTO also sponsors the German Stipend for Students of the Textile Technology Faculty at the Lower Rhine University. Stipend awards always take into account, besides excellent study results, social engagement and extraordinary personal achievements. Another project we feel passionate about is the revitalization of city quarters in Mönchengladbach. Hence, we are a sponsoring member and active supporter of various initiatives aiming at urban development and giving it new dynamics and sustainability.
