Sustainable Development

A family-owned and independent artisanal house since 1837, Hermès creates beautiful and functional objects that are repaired and passed on from generation to generation. The quality of the materials, combined with the exceptional know-how kept alive by its artisans, makes for sustainable creations characterised by timeless elegance. Committed to humanist and artisanal values, the company, which employs more than 27,000 people, is dedicated to a responsible approach based – in both its production and development on a never-ending demand for quality and reflected in its cultural, societal and environmental commitments.

Sustainability of objects

Combining high aesthetic standards and functionality, Hermès is distinguished by the high quality of its creations, resulting from exceptional know-how, and by their adaptability. From saddles to silk and watches, the owners of Hermès objects can request maintenance and repair services from anywhere in the world. Attentive to lean production, the house is committed to integrating the principles of circularity into its manufacturing process while engaging in research and development to design innovative alternative materials.

Sustainability of employment

To support its growth, Hermès creates new jobs each year and – committed to the transmission of its exceptional know-how – trains its artisans. In 2021, the house opened an apprenticeship training centre, known as the École Hermès des savoir-faire. Twelve regional training centres now offer a professional diploma in leatherwork. Internal mobility is encouraged so that each employee can deploy their talents within a group committed to an inclusive approach and attentive to the diversity of its teams. Finally, Hermès takes care to offer quality jobs in a work environment conducive to the well-being of all.

Sustainability of local anchoring

With 63 production and training sites in France, Hermès is present in 11 of the 13 French regions, manufacturing 75% of Hermès objects. The company contributes to the active revitalisation of these territories: the logical establishment of in regional hubs allows employees to become part of a local social and cultural ecosystem. Each new production site is subject to a sustainable construction standard, a guarantee of responsible infrastructure.

Sustainability of partnerships

Hermès is very loyal to its suppliers and has been so for more than 21 years on average for its 50 main direct suppliers. The stability of these partnerships, based on shared values, makes it possible to guarantee the security of the group’s supplies and ensure the essential traceability of materials. A common dynamic drives Hermès and its partners who are progressing together in their CSR commitments. Hermès sets up a third-party certification objective for each of its purchasing channels.

Sustainability of natural resources

A responsible company, Hermès strives to limit its impact on the world while respecting nature, the source of its exceptional materials. In this regard, transparency, security and the local dimension of supply chains are the subject of particular consideration. The group also strives to control its water and energy consumption as well as its carbon footprint throughout production and in the sustainable construction of its new sites. Finally, Hermès has also made commitments and is carrying out actions for the preservation of biodiversity, which is one of the pillars of its Fondation.

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Find out more about our business model and our social and environmental commitments.

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Footsteps across the world

Through this collection of films, documentary maker Frédéric Laffont reveals with humanistic perspective our unique relationship to sustainable development.