OUR COMMITMENTS

TRANSPARENCY

SAVOIR-FAIRE (KNOW-HOW)

Our savoir-faire of excellence since 1958 permit us to be labelised “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” a French label who is a mark of recognition of the French State to reward French firms for the excellence of their traditional savoir-faire.

The entire production is French, shoes and accessories are entirely made in our atelier in Aigues-Vives, between Nîmes and Montpellier.

STABILITY OF SUPPLIERS / RESELLERS

We have established a lasting relationship of trust, durable, with our main suppliers. Our ethic isn’t to obtain a price, but to always have a quality product, if possible in France. Indeed, we select French supplier only if quality criteria are present, the product must have real added value.

SUPPLIERS LOCALISATION

Generally, 65% of our supply comes from France, 25% from Italy and 10% from Spain.

In particular, our leathers come from:

-          From Alsace for full grain supple calf and fat full leather who constitute the essential of our production

-          From Mazamet for our metalized leather

-          From Graulhet for our sheep leather

-          From Italy for our famous Camargue « Croupon », suede calf, glittery calf leather, green tanning leather, python imitation leather, patent and hair    leathers

-          From Spain for waxed leather and our soles leathers

-          From France for our boxes, sewing thread, needles, rubber soles, silk paper and laces

SUSTAINABLE FASHION

Our production method is part of a circular economy model:

• Sustainable sourcing: implementation of a responsible purchasing policy (our suppliers are selected on environmental criteria)
• Eco-design: everything is thought out so that the least amount of waste is emitted throughout production
• Responsible consumption: La Botte Gardiane shoes are known for their durability. The quality of products used and the know-how permit to the client to keep their pairs for many years. “Consume less but consume better”
• Extension of the duration of use thanks to the ability of re-stretch the leather et re sole pairs for life
• Recycling: leather scraps are reused as soon as possible, or sold to individuals or leather craftsmen

RAW MATERIALS

For its exceptional leather, La Botte Gardiane only works with tannery respectful of the environment (all the water is filtered and depolluted) which are mainly located in France (in Italy and Spain if the leathers have no equivalent in France). For more than 20% of our production, we use 100% vegetable tanned leathers, leathers which are non-polluting and guaranteed to be chrome-free. For its exceptional leather, La Botte Gardiane only works with tannery respectful of the environment (all the water is filtered and depolluted) which are mainly located in France (in Italy and Spain if the leathers have no equivalent in France). For more than 20% of our production, we use 100% vegetable tanned leathers, leathers which are non-polluting and guaranteed to be chrome-free.

We use accessories like shoe boxes which are made of recycled cardboard and made in France, the silk paper is made by a French “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant”, even thank you cards are French!

THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Whenever it’s possible, water-based solvent-free glues are used (For all types of gluing except that of the sole which is done with solvent-based glues).

GARBAGE

The cutting of the skins is optimized to have as little waste as possible. Scraps of leather from boots are reused for sandals, for certain linings, for bracelets or for insole. Scraps are also available for sale or donated.

ENERGY SAVINGS

• All the lighting in the building (interior and exterior) is entirely made with LEDs. In addition, La Botte Gardiane followed CARSAT recommendations so that each workstation be equipped with 500 lumen LED lighting at the workstation. This ensures real comfort for operators (no stroboscopic effect, nor eye fatigue) and energy savings.
• The building is built according to the French RT2012 standard: The building sector is the largest consumer of energy in France (42.5% of total final energy) and generates 23% of greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this and reduce the energy consumption of French homes, the Grenelle de l'Environnement has implemented a program to combat climate change and control energy consumption. The RT 2012 thermal regulations are one of the measures adopted at the end of the Grenelle de l'Environnement.
• The parking of the atelier/shop is equipped with charging stations for electric cars.

ETHIC

HEALTH/ PHYSICAL INTEGRITY OF EMPLOYEES

Our Atelier located in Aigues-Vives in the south of France is equipped with a centralized dust and solvent suction system. There are therefore no fine particles or solvent vapors in the air that our employees could inhale.

FIGHT AGAINST DISCRIMINATIONS

La Botte Gardiane fights at its own level against discrimination of all kinds, whether in hiring or throughout the careers of its employees. Pay equality between men and women, the diversity of origins of employees as well as access to people with disabilities are a glimpse of this.

FAVORISE THE WELL BEING AT WORK

1. Work space

Everything is done, as far as possible, to promote well-being at work. The noise pollution that can be generated by the production activity is reduced thanks to the micro-perforated noise barriers which make the acoustics more pleasant.

To cope with the hot temperature, the building, in addition to being built according to the RT2012 standard, is fully air conditioned.

2. Common living place

The new premises of Aigues Vives have a spacious and bright break room with a terrace and warm furniture. Facilities promote playful activities and cohesion: a table football and a ping-pong table (made in France of course).

3. Life at work

To adapt to everyone's lifestyle, La Botte Gardiane has set up a time account: each employee can adapt their schedule as they wish and make up for non-working hours if necessary.

Every 2 weeks, we have a "fougasse meeting" (regional baking specialty) to talk about the health of the business, the status of orders, the difficulties or successes we are having.

Finally, each employee is invited twice a year to an individual interview to explain their feelings about the position in question, their work environment, their cohesion with the team and their aspirations.

We try to make sure that no one comes with negative stress, lump in their stomach.