For Adrian Frindt, quality leather and BIRKENSTOCK are inseparable. Adherence to the highest quality standards is therefore a top priority. With comprehensive and rigorous systems in place, Frindt and his team ensure that every hide that is processed in the factory meets the standards unique to the brand.

The first step in the processing of leather at Bernstadt is a hands-on, visual inspection of the hides delivered to the facility. Frindt's team of experts inspect every single hide by hand, searching for a wide variety of blemishes and defects. This initial manual process is followed by further tests, which explore things like color fastness and the nature of the hides’ reaction to sweat.

BIRKENSTOCK quality standards also apply to the thickness of the material. Two measuring machines ensure that every single piece of hide has a thickness of at least 2.8 to 3 mm. This is one of the key factors in making the leather in your BIRKENSTOCK so distinctive.