Trippen’s entire production takes place in Zehdenick, Brandenburg, just 60 kilometers north of Berlin. Here, design and manufacturing operate side by side, reflecting our product-centered approach and allowing for a seamless exchange between concept and craftsmanship.
By producing in-house, we’re able to manufacture on demand—minimizing waste while maintaining flexibility and the highest standards of quality. This hands-on model gives us complete oversight of each step in the development process and ensures ethical management of our production team—an increasingly rare distinction in today's fashion industry.
 

Our facility in Zehdenick strikes a thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation, in line with Trippen’s core values of environmental and social responsibility.
In 1998, we revitalized the town’s former GDR-era shoe factory, bringing local craftsmanship back into focus.
True to our philosophy, we’ve approached renovations selectively—updating only where and when necessary to preserve both the character and resources. In 2022, we took a major step forward by installing solar panels across all our rooftops, enabling a full transition to clean energy.

At Trippen, our business philosophy is grounded in making a genuine, positive impact on the local community—never compromising on safety, fairness, or the well-being of our team. Fair wages and good working conditions are our top priority, as is the promotion of social inclusion. Health and safety are central to how we work. That’s why since the nineties we’ve replaced solvent-based glue with water-based alternatives throughout almost the entire production process—except for the soling phase, where solvent-based glue is still necessary for technical reasons. This transition wasn’t easy; water-based glue requires longer drying times and has a shorter open time for assembly. Still, the health benefits made it worthwhile. As CEO Michael Oehler recalls: "From the very beginning, I was skeptical of solvent glue. In fact, I had already started installing handmade suction systems in my workshop, long before Trippen. When we moved production to Zehdenick, better water-based glues became available. It still took a few more years to convince the team to switch, but ultimately, the priority was clear: health comes first."

Social integration has always been a sensitive and important topic for us. That is why we have consistently taken an active role in creating opportunities for those caught in exceptional global circumstances.