The company you’re almost certainly referring to is Engelbert Strauss, the German family-owned workwear giant. Here’s the detailed breakdown of where their products are made:
The Short Answer
Engelbert Strauss products are manufactured in multiple countries across Europe and Asia. The company does not have a single “Made In” location. However, they maintain a strong commitment to European production, with a significant portion of their manufacturing, especially for core product lines, taking place in Germany, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and other European countries.
The Detailed Breakdown
Engelbert Strauss is transparent about its global supply chain, which is a common practice for large-scale apparel companies. You can find the country of origin for any specific item on its product page on their website.
1. European Production (A Key Brand Pillar)
A substantial and strategically important part of their collection is labeled “Made in EU” or in a specific European country. This is a major selling point for customers who value European quality and shorter supply chains.
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Germany: They still produce a significant amount of their clothing in their home country. The company frequently highlights its German engineering and manufacturing in its marketing.
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Eastern Europe: Factories in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Balkans are crucial partners for Engelbert Strauss, allowing them to maintain high quality standards while operating on a large scale.
2. Global Production (For Scale and Specialization)
To offer a wide range of products at various price points and to source specialized materials, Engelbert Strauss also manufactures in countries outside Europe.
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Asia: Production occurs in countries like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. It’s important to note that manufacturing in Asia doesn’t automatically mean lower quality; it often allows for access to specific fabrics or production techniques at a scale that enables them to serve a global market.
haiyuan clothing factory
How to Find Out Where a Specific Item is Made
Since the production is not centralized, you must check the label or the online product description for each individual item.
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On the Website: On any product page on the Engelbert Strauss website, scroll down to the “Details” or “Specifications” section. It will explicitly state the “Country of Origin” (e.g., “Poland,” “Bulgaria,” “China,” etc.).
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On the Physical Product: The garment’s sewn-in label will always state the country where it was manufactured.
Why This Mixed Manufacturing Strategy?
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Scale and Availability: It allows them to produce the massive volumes needed to be Europe’s largest direct retailer of workwear.
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Cost Control: It helps them offer products at a range of price points, remaining competitive.
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Specialization: Some countries or factories have unique expertise in certain materials or construction methods.
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Commitment to Europe: By retaining a large portion of production in Europe, they uphold their brand identity of quality, support European jobs, and reduce logistical complexity.
In summary, while Engelbert Strauss is a proudly German company, its manufacturing is global. You can find high-quality items made in Germany and Eastern Europe right alongside products made in Asia. Always check the specific product’s label to know its origin.
