Business meeting in Weil: Nora Fehlbaum on sustainable action!

Business meeting in Weil: Nora Fehlbaum on sustainable action!

In Weil am Rhein, the local business community came together for the 21st edition of the business meeting to network together and learn about the latest developments from the economy. Around 300 guests filled the large meeting room while Nora Fehlbaum, the CEO of Vitra and representative of the third generation of the family business, gave an exciting lecture on sustainable action. [RegioTrends]. reports that this was the first event under the new mayor Diana Stöcker, who was sworn into office a year ago.

In her presentation, Fehlbaum highlighted Vitra's responsible role in the industry. “For us, sustainability is not just a buzzword, but an elixir of life,” she explained. At Vitra, every product is tested for durability, as shown by the example of the Panton Chair, which is made from used materials. The company also buys back its own furniture in order to repair it and adapt it to current design trends. Fehlbaum herself exemplifies sustainability: she rides her bike to work and eats a vegan diet.

Innovations in the city

During the meeting, Mayor Stöcker reflected on her first year in office and emphasized the importance of innovation, economy, security and order in her nine-point program. “The exchange and collaboration with entrepreneurs is of central importance,” says Stöcker. An important project is the “Weil.Sauber.Besser” initiative, a campaign to improve cleanliness in the city and the introduction of a municipal security service.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of a new image brochure and a digital shopping voucher by managing director Peter Krause. Since January 2024, almost 2,350 vouchers have already been sold, which corresponds to sales of around 66,000 euros. Krause also provided information about the Green Office in the Kesselhaus, which offers sustainable office boxes. The upcoming plans to upgrade the transition from the Dreiländergalerie to Rathausplatz were also discussed.

Sustainability in the furniture industry

The discussion about sustainability in the furniture industry is becoming increasingly important. OfficeBase highlights that to promote a second life cycle, Vitra has also opened circle stores in cities such as Brussels and Amsterdam, offering used furniture and accessories. These products are not only sustainable, but also a way to combat the throwaway mentality. The focus here is on longevity and avoiding unnecessary details in order to keep the products current for years to come.

According to Impulsgeber-Zukunft, the furniture industry is a significant environmental factor simply because of its production methods. It is important to use sustainable materials and promote healthy working conditions. The challenges are great, from knowledge gaps to higher costs of switching to sustainable production methods. Consumers are asked to pay attention to quality and sustainability when purchasing their furniture, whether through solid wood or recycled materials.

With the initiative of the city of Weil am Rhein and the commitment of Vitra, a role model can be created that encourages other companies to also adopt sustainable practices. The exchange of ideas and innovations will continue to be a key to success in providing new impetus for the region.