The "Made in Germany" seal of quality has enjoyed an excellent reputation worldwide since 1891, signifying trust in the innovatively high-quality production of products and services from Germany. In particular, the top quality of "Made in Germany" products is considered one of the strongest buying arguments for customers. However, the current economic situation also presents Germany as a production location with several challenges. In this article, you can find out what these are and how we at Aeris deal with them.
What exactly does "Made in Germany" mean?
Quality
The "Made in Germany" seal of quality is known worldwide, primarily for the high quality of its products. Thanks to continuous optimization in manufacturing and the use of the latest technologies, first-class standards are created – from raw materials and intermediate products to the finished end product.
Safety and Environment
In addition to their high quality, "Made in Germany" products also stand for strict safety and environmental guidelines. The strict regulations in Germany ensure that the relevant requirements are regularly monitored by independent testing organizations. To ensure that future generations can live as well on our planet as we do today, certain environmental guidelines must be observed during production. These are also regularly checked by the state to ensure high standards. Many manufacturers even aim not only to meet but to exceed the requirements regarding safety and the environment.
Sustainability
For many customers, this criterion of "Made in Germany" products is often the decisive buying argument: sustainability. Thanks to the high quality standards, manufacturers can offer long guarantees on their products. The planning and production of products are always based on the latest research and guarantee high reliability and long-term usability.
Employees
The top quality "Made in Germany" is reflected not only in the products: the employees are also highly qualified and trained. To reduce fluctuation and promote long-term loyalty, companies specifically invest in the efficient training and further education of their employees and in creating an attractive working environment. To this end, companies today offer attractive additional benefits beyond legal requirements, such as company kindergartens, fitness studios, vegan food in the canteen, sabbaticals, and much more. To reduce the risk of injury for each employee, trained occupational safety committees develop individual measures for each company, while in the event of illness, health insurance funds and professional associations offer comprehensive protection.
With its comprehensive requirements, "Made in Germany" therefore stands not only for first-class quality products but also for excellent working conditions and innovative technologies, which together form the basis for the international reputation and success of this seal of quality.
At Aeris, we develop the technologies and all components of our products ourselves.
The history of "Made in Germany"
With increasing globalization in the late 19th century, trade expanded in Europe, with Great Britain being the leading industrial nation. To capitalize on this success, many European countries began producing and exporting copies of high-quality British products. Among these, German imitations of Sheffield knives and scissors made of cheap cast iron were particularly prevalent on the British market. While these could not match the quality of the originals made of cast steel, they were widely accepted by import traders due to their lower prices, thanks to cheaper manufacturing costs.
To protect its economy, the British government subsequently introduced a labeling requirement for imported goods in 1887. However, as German industry quickly caught up in the production of high-quality goods, the "Made in Germany" label, originally intended as a deterrent, quickly developed into a symbol of excellence and quality. The high esteem and increased trust in German products ultimately led to rapid growth in the German economy. Especially after the end of the Second World War, the good reputation of the "Made in Germany" seal was further strengthened.
Prerequisites and Requirements for "Made in Germany"
Legal Requirements
Since German law does not contain any statutory regulations that specify concrete prerequisites for the origin designation "Made in Germany," the designation is repeatedly the subject of legal disputes.
According to various EU regulations and judicial rulings, a value creation share of at least 45 percent in Germany is generally required for the commercial use of the "Made in Germany" seal. In individual cases, however, a smaller percentage is also accepted as sufficient. According to a decision by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), products can be labeled with the "Made in Germany" seal if their manufacture, final assembly, and a significant part of the value creation take place in Germany.
It becomes particularly tricky in cases of multi-stage production – meaning when individual steps of the manufacturing process take place abroad and, for example, only the final assembly happens in Germany. Whether the designation "Made in Germany" is still justified under these circumstances is ultimately decided by the courts.
Legally, it is certain that the designation "Made in Germany" is clearly inadmissible if essential parts of the product come from abroad. This violates the "Act against Unfair Competition."
We are proud of the many patents for our in-house developments.
"Made in Germany" – Products of Excellence
Products like BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles embody German engineering and are considered the epitome of luxury and precision. Brands like Miele and Bosch set standards for household appliances with innovative technology and long lifespan.
In the tool industry, manufacturers like Bosch or Stihl deliver professional equipment for industry and trade. Writing instruments from Montblanc also stand for quality and elegance. This list is complemented by ergonomic furniture from Aeris, which brings movement and health to the workplace – another example of German excellence.
Let's summarize again:
The most important requirements for products to be awarded the "Made in Germany" seal result from the manufacturing process. Essential stages of the value chain, such as development, design, production, and quality assurance, must take place in Germany.
Therefore, it is not strictly necessary for a "Made in Germany" product to be manufactured entirely in Germany from concept to completion. The decisive factor is that the significant quality features and characteristics that are relevant for the product's value, especially from the consumer's perspective, originate from German value creation.
Why Aeris relies on "Made in Germany"
The fact is that Germany, as an exporting nation, is currently facing enormous challenges in times of inflation. Rising costs are burdening German SMEs so severely that production in Germany is simply becoming too expensive, and many are forced to relocate their production facilities abroad. According to an IHK survey, one in ten companies is already planning to do so.
The furniture industry is also currently in a tense situation, and we, as a medium-sized company, also have to face the current challenges. Nevertheless, we want to stick to our values and the quality of our products and maintain Germany as our location. The decision against relocating abroad had several reasons:
- Quality
- Sustainability
- Flexibility
- Optimal framework conditions
- Customer service
- Export
1. Quality
Our products are characterized by the highest material and manufacturing quality as well as durability. Every product part is traditionally handcrafted in our German manufactory – a standard that we cannot guarantee in China. The worldwide high regard for "Made in Germany" helps us to successfully position our products on the international market.
2. Sustainability
We see it as our responsibility to contribute to climate neutrality. Through durable products, regional suppliers, and short transport routes, we significantly reduce our CO2 emissions. 80% of our suppliers come from Germany, with 53% from Bavaria.
These efforts are supported in Germany by tax incentives and strict environmental regulations. We have responded to rising energy costs by using renewable energies, especially solar energy. Since 2023, we have been producing more energy than we consume.
3. Flexibility
In Germany, we have all essential parts of the value chain from development to production, administration, and suppliers in one location, which enables us to have a short supply chain and enormous flexibility.
This helped us immensely, especially during the Corona pandemic. While production stood still at other companies, ours could continue at full speed. Our object customers in particular benefit from this flexibility, as we can respond quickly and flexibly to special requests.
4. Optimal framework conditions
With a first-class infrastructure, stable legal framework conditions, and a reliable energy supply, Germany offers optimal framework conditions for companies. Our regional roots and networks enable us to adapt quickly to market changes. Furthermore, Germany offers numerous financing options that facilitate capital procurement for investments and growth.
5. Customer service
Our presence in Germany allows us to better address the needs of German customers. Direct contacts offer individual solutions and fast service, without customers ending up in a call center.
6. Export
Our products offer genuine added value by alleviating pain and improving well-being. That's why our customers choose our products even in economically difficult times – and they do so worldwide. In addition to the German market, we export to over 40 other countries, mainly in Europe. To counteract the current weakness of the German market, we are therefore focusing on expanding our export markets.
Each of our products is handcrafted in Germany in a manufactory style.
In conclusion, the "Made in Germany" seal of quality is more than just a label – it stands for outstanding quality, sustainability, and innovation. At Aeris, we consciously rely on these values to create products that are not only ergonomic and functional but also meet the highest demands.
Despite the current economic challenges, we remain committed to our location in Germany to continue to ensure flexibility and excellence. With this philosophy, we guarantee our customers the proven quality and reliability of our products.
