Since 1945, sustainability has been at the heart of every FELCO tool.
"At a time when everyone else was succumbing to consumerist trends, ignoring users' real needs, we emerged in a class of our own."
Félix Flisch, 1987
Sustainable development and FELCO go hand in hand to create tools in perfect harmony with nature. Since its creation, FELCO has innovated to offer high-quality products adapted to the most demanding needs, while preserving the environment. FELCO's mission is to make a difference by providing tools with inspiring performance that are manufactured responsibly. With its robust tools that can be repaired to guarantee their longevity, FELCO perpetuates sustainability at the heart of its DNA, to better care for nature.
The concept of sustainability is based on 3 pillars. Join FELCO on a journey towards a more sustainable future.
Find out how FELCO is committed to environmental sustainability:
Raw materials
Working with nature also means respecting what it has to offer. At FELCO, raw materials are precious. Not only to ensure the robustness and quality of our tools, but also because they are finite. For this reason, FELCO recycles the steel and aluminum dust generated during manufacturing. This system enables raw material offcuts to be recycled by compacting them and returning them to suppliers.
Electricity
FELCO uses only electricity from renewable sources. This also includes power generated by the solar power plant installed on the factory roof. As for heating, FELCO has set up a virtuous circle, recovering the heat generated by the machine cooling system to supply the air conditioning system and the running water network in its buildings.
Water
FELCO puts a lot of effort into wastewater treatment. 140 tons of emulsions used annually are reprocessed, 93% of which is potable water.
International standard
ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, FELCO does everything in its power to meet international quality management standards and manage its environmental responsibilities. Audited annually by an independent body, FELCO remains at the forefront of international requirements and respects the philosophy of its founder, who from the outset over 75 years ago, established sustainability and respect for the environment as basic principles for production. For example, FELCO has already renounced the use of phthalates in tool manufacture.
Controlling CO2 emissions
FELCO's annual emissions represent 3,000 tons of CO2. The company has set itself the target of saving 1,505 tons annually. To achieve this, the company is focusing on raising awareness of the importance of repairing tools. By promoting spare parts, FELCO is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions and reinforcing the virtuous circle of tool reparability.
Suppliers
FELCO maintains bonds of trust and loyalty with its suppliers. Proud of these long-standing collaborations, 76% of FELCO's suppliers are located in Switzerland, 17% in Europe and 7% outside Europe, thus actively participating in the company's commitment to a responsible environmental policy.
FELCO's commitment to economic sustainability
FELCO tools are designed to serve and respect nature. With the first patent filed by FELCO in May 1945, Félix Flisch was already seeking to respect the following principles:
- concern for the best possible ERGONOMICS
- high-precision components for INTERCHANGEABILITY of all parts
- the use of the materials best able to guarantee unrivalled SUSTAINABILITY.
FELCO tools enable clean, precise cutting, guaranteeing rapid healing of the wood. But respect for nature doesn't stop there. FELCO's responsibility is to offer its customers a more sustainable consumption choice. This means choosing repairable rather than disposable products. FELCO is committed to ecology right from the manufacturing process. The robustness of our tools and the availability of spare parts contribute to their longevity, thus avoiding unnecessary waste.
Find out how FELCO is committed to economic sustainability:
Production
FELCO tools are made from 70% recycled aluminum. Steel, meanwhile, is 95% recycled alloy. In this way, FELCO contributes to the virtuous circle of responsible production without compromising its promise of quality.
Interchangeability
Once the pruning shears are in their hands, FELCO customers know they have a robust, precise, and repairable tool. In fact, the high precision of the components means that all parts are interchangeable. FELCO values the repairability of its tools and ensures the availability of all components such as blade, counter-blade, anvil, shock absorbers and springs.
Tool life
The materials used to manufacture FELCO products guarantee their durability. Symbols of quality and performance, FELCO tools are often handed down from one generation to the next. FELCO shares its know-how to ensure the long life of its tools.
Warranty
FELCO offers a lifetime warranty on all die-cast aluminum components, and all components such as blade, counter-blade, anvil, shock absorbers and springs are replaceable.
The principle of reparability and component replacement is at the heart of the unique durability of FELCO tools and their extremely low environmental impact.
FELCO's commitment to social sustainability
Conscious of its social responsibility, FELCO is committed to implementing the necessary means to ensure the well-being of its employees and their families, as well as its business partners. FELCO attaches paramount importance to social sustainability and is firmly committed to promoting gender balance within its organization, guaranteeing equal pay for men and women, and implementing a work organization conducive to work-life balance.
In this spirit, the family business FELCO takes concrete action to create a respectful and caring environment for all its employees. Firmly rooted in its home region of Neuchâtel, in the heart of Switzerland's watchmaking valley, FELCO capitalizes on local know-how and training.
Find out how FELCO is committed to social sustainability:
Integration
With representatives from fourteen countries and remarkable know-how, FELCO teams are proud to be involved in products that are known the world over. This cultural richness is a vector of success for FELCO. In keeping with its social responsibilities, FELCO works with the Neuchâtel-based Alfaset company to run a sheltered workshop within the company, employing over 20 people. The common goal: to support people with disabilities to help them improve their material and social situation. More than a working partnership: an integration partnership of which FELCO is very proud.
Equal pay
In June 2022, FELCO was awarded the SGS "Fair ON Pay +" certificate, distinguishing the company as a fair employer and underlining its long-term commitment to equal pay. A salary analysis carried out by external experts has shown that FELCO complies with federal equal pay requirements. Valid for four years, with a review in the third year, this certification confirms FELCO's long-term commitment to equal pay for all employees.
Mobility
The quest for sustainability also involves mobility. FELCO favors short distances for its production and also encourages its employees to use public transport, or even to settle directly in Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, by also providing financial assistance. By encouraging the development of ways of getting around that are conducive to physical activity and respectful of the environment and resources, FELCO perpetuates the values that are at the root of its success.
Training company
FELCO relies on training and skills transfer to guarantee its unique industrial know-how. With this in mind, every year FELCO takes on young apprentices in dual training, thus perpetuating the long Swiss tradition of apprenticeship, a vocational training recognized and envied by most European countries.