Made in Germany has long mattered to us. A barbell with Swedish steel and German ball bearings raised questions about costs, sustainability and our values.
Archived Project Mindset post, originally published in 2023. Dates and roles reflect the original publication.
Made in Germany and the reality of product costs
Normally, we make sure our products are manufactured entirely in Germany. Yet my experience is that everyone calls for “Made in Germany” and sustainability, while few are willing to pay the price.
For our current barbell, we are taking a different approach: Swedish steel and German ball bearings. It is the first time in our history that we are no longer 100% Made in Germany.
The market still sets the pace. To operate economically, we have to respond to it.
That does not mean seeking the cheapest alternatives regardless of environmental or workplace-safety costs. It means trying to operate as sustainably as possible while respecting our values. And, to ease my conscience, Swedish steel still sounds reassuringly European 😊
Translation clarification: Sweden is in Europe and is an EU member. The original post’s closing aside was geographically inaccurate.
More in the Project Mindset archive (German) and the Reza Mehman Podcast.
