Vitra designs the places where people work - be in the office, at home, or on the road. The goal: to make the place of work as appealing, productive and healthy as possible. Our furniture is to be found in countless successful companies and organizations, as well as in the homes of many private individuals with a feel for design. Active internationally, we work together with the major designers of the day.

Philosophy

We are convinced that rooms and interior design have a decisive influence on people's motivation, performance and health. So we have made it our mission to develop furniture and furnishing systems that stimulate, inspire and motivate, while also offering the body comfort, safety and support. In order to attain this goal, we work with renowned designers and a specialized Vitra team. We experiment with new ideas, and are continuously tackling the new challenges of the world of work.

Ecology

Our contribution to ecological conservation does not stop with a close examination of materials and processes. All aspects of the company's work involve ecological thinking. In 1991, we set up an internal ecology committee to discuss environmental topics. This team identifies new tasks, and its project teams work together to find solutions. For example, Vitra uses only non-CFC foams and adhesives free of toxic solvents; all possible materials are recycled. Wherever possible, we use recycled materials. Our goal during production is to minimize noise and emission levels as well as to reduce waste. Packaging materials are kept to a minimum and re-used as often as possible. In March, 1997, we voluntarily had an eco-audit of the company. We believe our most important contribution is the fact that we insist on producing durable products of the highest quality and with a timeless design. This means our products can give their owners years of service.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is an applied science that studies the relationship between human beings and machines. We produce furniture that responds to the ergonomic requirements of the body and as a consequence has a positive effect on health and well-being. All Vitra products (except for the experimental series Vitra Edition) have been tested by independent institutions. They comply with prescribed standards under the European Directive on VDU Work and are marked with the GS seal (= Geprüfte Sicherheit or Tested Safety, seal of the independent certification company LGA).

Quality

The first step in quality is getting the right materials from reliable suppliers. Once in the factory, our staff manufacture our furniture to precise standards, individually ensuring the quality of each product. Vitra has been certified for DIN EN ISO 9001 : 2000. Our focus on quality does not end at the factory door - we believe that providing clients with premier service is just as important as manufacturing furniture. In order to make certain our clients enjoy consistently high quality in all Vitra products, we have set up our own test center which monitors products against criteria that are far more stringent than the statutory standards.

Design

Design is the process by which almost all objects in our surroundings are instilled with a specific design and function - from cars to paper clips, from clothing to chairs. And design does not just mean giving things a shape. Design creates the basis which enables things to function in the desired manner. It is a process in which complementary but often mutually contradictory requirements have to be met (comfort, technology, ergonomics, ecology, economics, aesthetics...). Design can be successful only when the balance of all these factors is attained.