1DOWNPASS STARS

Böhmerwald
For the benefit of the animals and the customers

Quality is the motto of the Bavarian manufacturer, Böhmerwald Bettfedern & Bettwarenwerke GmbH.
The company, based in Cham not far from the Czech border, relies on tradition in craftsmanship combined with the latest manufacturing technologies and permanent quality controls. The team, which prefers to use natural filling materials for its high-quality bedding, is continuously working on keeping supply
chains as short as possible so that they can be monitored efficiently and without long travel times.

Downpass talked to Jochen Häffner, sales manager at Böhmerwald Bettfedern & Bettwarenwerke GmbH.
Böhmerwald has been manufacturing its Downpass bedding exclusively at its headquarters in Cham in theBavarian Forest since it was founded 83 years ago. What does Bavarian craftsmanship mean to your company and what makes your products special as a result?
We are convinced that the statement "Made in Germany" or in our case "Böhmerwald - Betten - bayerisch gut" places a higher demand on our products than on other products. We like to align ourselves with thesedemands and grow with them. For the benefit of the animals and our customers. After all, we all profit from it.

Photos: © Böhmerwald–1–

DOWNPASS STARS: BÖHMERWALD

We succeed best in guaranteeing the high quality, in checking it again and again and in increasing it, if webundle all our production steps in the Bavarian Cham. Relocating production to the nearby Czech Republic,
which would certainly be attractive for economic reasons, is out of the question for us. We are a Bavarian
manufacturer and want to remain and promote this. Our staff consists mainly of employees with many yearsof experience. This ensures that everyone involved in the production process knows what has to be done,knows what is important. Because let's be honest: What advantages do we have as a German manufacturer
compared to low-cost suppliers? Speed, flexibility and consistently high quality. We work very hard on thesethings on a daily basis. But also with a lot of pleasure!

Regionality has become a quality criterium, especially for food, as regional products are seen as an expression of a sustainable lifestyle. Does that also work for an animal by-product like down and feathers,
and what criteria do you use to select your partners in the supply chain?
If you ask us about regionality, we have to admit, if we are honest with ourselves, that here wish and reality
are often far apart. We also have to try to define the term itself. In doing so, we will find that the winged
word of the "2 scholars and their 3 opinions" also applies here. Regionality does not have to mean that all
ingredients come from the immediate vicinity. Not a single duvet or pillow would be manufactured in ourproduction facilities if we were to make this claim. Do you already recognize the dilemma?
The water we use for our feather production is absolutely regional. It comes from our own well and does
not require any treatment. Nature provides us with the best quality that can be obtained. Feathers anddown come from Bavarian geese and ducks, from animals from East Westphalia, from Schleswig-Holstein,and so on. Is that still regional? We think yes, it is! The distances are relatively short. The controls, which arenecessary for the DOWNPASS certification, can be relatively easy to carry out without overlong journeys.
But of course, we also purchase feathers and down from abroad. The high demand for these materials alone
makes this necessary. We cannot cover it from German resources. In addition, not all German qualities aresuitable to guarantee the demands on the down. Regional purchasing and high-quality standards are sometimes a balancing act. In any case, we are always working to keep the supply chains as short as possible. At
the moment, we have the impression that some upstream suppliers are also bringing their production facilities closer to us, to their customers. We would very much welcome this development.

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DOWNPASS STARS: BÖHMERWALD

Böhmerwald and nature. A successful connection for more than 80years. What is the secret of this success?
Secret? It is not a secret. It is the result of the work of people who do
not follow any ideologies. Böhmerwald has been producing bedding
for over 80 years from materials that nature gives us. And predominantly these are feathers and down. However, we also process otherfilling materials of natural origin. From natural fibers, such as wild silkand cotton, to the highest quality natural hair such as camel hair, yakhair and alpaca hair.
As much as we love down, we must also admit that nature keeps
surprises in store in the form of the above-mentioned materials.
Who does not know the unsurpassed robustness of cotton, the great
temperature balance that can bring camel hair? Not to mention thehair of alpacas. These hairs are incredibly good. They are very fine, softand endowed with the best properties. As always, it is provided that you are not tempted by simple, cheap
qualities. Only the finest qualities from German or even Austrian breeding produce the finest hair for highquality bedding. As you can see, regionality plays a role here as well. You wonder if these products do notcontrast or even compete with our DOWNPASS down duvets? No, they do not. Rather, they complement
each other perfectly. As already mentioned at the beginning, we do not fight ideological battles. We preferto focus our energy on providing high-quality bedding for every type of sleeper and every need.
How important are independent certifications for your success and why do you rely on the DOWNPASS label as a sign for animal welfare& quality?
On one hand, the DOWNPASS
label is a necessity for Böhmerwald in order to survive in an
increasingly critical market. On
the other hand, it is also amatter of the heart. Böhmerwald has been involved in thedevelopment of the DOWNPASS
from the very beginning.
We label our products with the DOWNPASS with a certain pride. It guarantees that the down and featherswe process were ethically obtained and that the animals do not have to suffer unnecessary torture due tolive plucking or force-feeding (keyword: foie gras).
Each seal bears an unique test number, which the consumer can independently check for validity. In thisway, consumers can be sure that they have purchased a product that has been produced in accordance withthe highest possible standards and requirements for animal welfare.

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DOWNPASS STARS: BÖHMERWALD

In contrast to other seals, the DOWNPASS also highlights theimportant point of quality. For us as a German manufacturer of highquality bedding, this is of particular importance. DOWNPASS puts
"one on top". Here, care is taken to ensure that consumers get what
they pay for. Thus DOWNPASS is not only obligated to the animal
protection, which was its original task. Rather, it is also activeconsumer protection. It must be our goal to protect all sides.

Source: Downpass e.V.

Photos: © Böhmerwald–4–