Our values
What it is really about.
Since its foundation in 1888, four values have formed the foundation of Steiner and are still the promise of quality and transparent production today. The Steiner1888 brand is progressive and innovative and continues to develop, with our roots and values as the driving force.
Made in Austria
Proud of our Austrian roots, we continue the centuries-old tradition of loden manufacturing. All STEINER1888 fabrics are 100% made in Austria.
It was no coincidence that fulling was developed in a region where people had an urgent need for hard-wearing clothing. When the enthusiastic mountain guide Franz Steiner took over his uncle's loden walking business in 1910, he was already a legend. A year earlier, together with his brother Irg, he had been the first to climb the infamous south face of the Dachstein - wearing loden pants of his own manufacture, of course.
Master craftsmanship
When manufacturing our fabrics, we focus on one thing above all else: uncompromising quality. We only use natural products that we process using traditional craftsmanship. When selecting our suppliers from all over the world, we take great care to ensure that the animals are kept in a species-appropriate manner.
For generations, local sheep farming has provided us with our hard-wearing mountain sheep's wool, which has outstanding properties compared to other materials. To enhance the quality, we also add fine wool from other animals. These include alpacas, merino sheep, angora rabbits and cashmere goats. Wool is a sustainable raw material because it grows again and again. This means that no valuable resources are consumed.
Natural & sustainable
STEINER1888 is a company with a vision. We strive to develop in a future-oriented manner, are open to change and react to it at an early stage.
Steiner1888 has been producing wool fabrics, loden and clothing for over 130 years. From the very beginning, it has been traditional craftsmanship, the natural material wool and the careful processing of the fibers that give our fabrics their unique quality. The most important raw material for our production, wool, is sourced from wool farmers in Austria, Australia and South America. When selecting our suppliers, we pay attention to the welfare of the animals and consciously only purchase mulesing-free wool. Loden products are also sustainable after purchase. Why is that? While conventional textiles often require a lot of care, loden fabric needs very little cleaning. Due to the wool's natural fat content, dirt and moisture have difficulty sticking to the fabric. If a stain does occur, it can usually be removed quite easily. Loden is practically self-cleaning and does not require chemicals or constant washing to remain beautiful in the long term.
Family-owned since 1888
As a family business, we attach great importance to honesty and transparency. Harmonious cooperation is important to us - also when dealing with our customers and suppliers.
A look behind the scenes
Our traditional fabric manufactory in Mandling with its own café is also open to visitors. There you will not only enjoy homemade cakes and coffee specialities. On a tour through the old walls of the manufactory you will learn a lot of interesting facts about the natural raw material wool and "grasp" its extraordinary properties - in the truest sense of the word.
The story of Steiner1888
As our name suggests, our story begins in 1888 at the foot of the Dachstein glacier. The landscape and climate never made life easy for the people there, which is why there was a great need for hard-wearing clothing. Great needs became even greater visions. And so a history was written that we look back on with pride today and that drives us forward.
The faces behind our company
Today, as in the past, we focus on sustainability, expertise and respectful cooperation in our family business. Whether managing director or employee in the factory, each individual contributes to the success of the company and the uniqueness of each product. Only by working together can we guarantee the high quality of our products. From 1888 until today.