addi philosophy
addi needles and hooks are synonymous with excellence for knitting and crochet fans around the world. And we couldn’t be happier: we have been working tirelessly in Altena since 1829 to meet the high demands our customers place on our products. Ongoing quality control throughout up to 25 manual stages of the production process, technological developments in production and regular exchange with our customers and our employees all help drive quality.
Our philosophy is told easily.
When our clients buy addi needles,
they get the best quality. Because, with the help of these,
knitting is much more fun.
Made in Germany. Our promise.
We have been producing knitting needles and crochet hooks in Altena, Westphalia for almost 200 years. The family-run company is now in the hands of the 6th generation, and 93% of our range is manufactured in Germany. The origin of our products is fully traceable. Fair working conditions, including at our non-EU suppliers, are an integral part of our philosophy. Conditions are ultimately part of sustainable business, and we are all about sustainability. This is the only way that “luxury for your hands” can truly bring joy to everyone.
Made in Germany. Our promise.
We have been producing knitting needles and crochet hooks in Altena, Westphalia for almost 200 years. The family-run company is now in the hands of the 6th generation, and 93% of our range is manufactured in Germany. The origin of our products is fully traceable. Fair working conditions, including at our non-EU suppliers, are an integral part of our philosophy. Conditions are ultimately part of sustainable business, and we are all about sustainability. This is the only way that “luxury for your hands” can truly bring joy to everyone.
‘It is your care and precision with which you produce the addi needles. The sharp eye promises the world-famous addi quality. I now only work with addi needles. Best wishes to your employees, who take great care to ensure that I look forward to picking up my crochet knitting kit every day.’
gassenmaschen (Instagram)
What drives us:
Led by the sixth generation. It sometimes takes up to 25 production steps until we have crafted the perfect needle.
Those who wish to create something unique
with their own hands place high standards upon
themselves and their tools. We wish to offer
our customers handicrafts needles that meet
these standards and provide fun and enjoyment
with handiwork.
That‘s why we produce with 100% precision in Germany.
What drives us:
Led by the sixth generation. It sometimes takes up to 25 production steps until we have crafted the perfect needle.
Those who wish to create something unique
with their own hands place high standards upon
themselves and their tools. We wish to offer
our customers handicrafts needles that meet
these standards and provide fun and enjoyment
with handiwork.
That‘s why we produce with 100% precision in Germany.
"And not only likeable in the film, but also live. You can just tell how much heart is in it!"
malamue (Instagram)
Family for generations.
"We are family", we don't assume that Sister Sledge sang this song for addi, but it fits us 100%. At addi, generations of a family often work together. Grandmother, daughter, granddaughter or even sisters and father and son or spouse can be found on a tour of the company.
This used to be normal, but today it is a rarity and we are therefore proud that our employees feel so connected to addi that they continue to pass on their attachment to the next generation.
This also applies to the owners at addi. Thomas Selter has recently transferred the management of the company to his wife, Claudia Malcus. And behind him, his daughter Pauline Dörr is already waiting in the wings to learn the company and the craft from the ground up and continue to run it as a family business. "We are family".
Family for generations.
"We are family", we don't assume that Sister Sledge sang this song for addi, but it fits us 100%. At addi, generations of a family often work together. Grandmother, daughter, granddaughter or even sisters and father and son or spouse can be found on a tour of the company.
This used to be normal, but today it is a rarity and we are therefore proud that our employees feel so connected to addi that they continue to pass on their attachment to the next generation.
This also applies to the owners at addi. Thomas Selter has recently transferred the management of the company to his wife, Claudia Malcus. And behind him, his daughter Pauline Dörr is already waiting in the wings to learn the company and the craft from the ground up and continue to run it as a family business. "We are family".
Regional materials.
More and more people consider it very important that the products they buy are produced fairly. We have been living this concept since 1829. For us at addi, this means that we source most of our raw materials from our region if at all possible, with long-standing partnerships with our suppliers.
And supplier partners from other regions, for example for our bamboo or olive wood, are often known to us personally because we have visited them on site.
Regional materials.
More and more people consider it very important that the products they buy are produced fairly. We have been living this concept since 1829. For us at addi, this means that we source most of our raw materials from our region if at all possible, with long-standing partnerships with our suppliers.
And supplier partners from other regions, for example for our bamboo or olive wood, are often known to us personally because we have visited them on site.
Quality and goodwill.
At addi, we produce millions of knitting needles and crochet hooks every year. Our employees do their best every day to produce perfect needles.
However, it can always happen that a needle fails and is delivered anyway. If this happens, the recipient is welcome to contact us. We trust that the complaint is "genuine" and therefore we usually exchange needles at short notice, even without much evidence such as proof of purchase or a photo. This is because we feel responsible as the manufacturer.
Quality and goodwill.
At addi, we produce millions of knitting needles and crochet hooks every year. Our employees do their best every day to produce perfect needles.
However, it can always happen that a needle fails and is delivered anyway. If this happens, the recipient is welcome to contact us. We trust that the complaint is "genuine" and therefore we usually exchange needles at short notice, even without much evidence such as proof of purchase or a photo. This is because we feel responsible as the manufacturer.
‘I simply have to say that they have great employees. You realise that the customer is king. Superb service. Thank you very much for that!’
alex.d. (Instagram)
Sustainable and future-proof.
Anyone who has been successfully producing needles since 1829 knows that you have to think about tomorrow today. The future brings great opportunities as well as challenges, and addi is committed to the environment – this is simply part of our corporate culture.
A family business, we are acutely aware of our responsibility towards future generations. That responsibility is always in our minds as we continue to develop our products and materials.
In 2020, we received the recognised and proven proof of practised environmental and climate protection in companies - the certification of the company in the ‘Ökoprofit’ project.
We invest continuously:
- Environmentally friendly technologies, e.g. in the use of materials and transport of raw materials
- e.g. transport of bamboo is optimised to conserve resources
- We source many of our raw materials from the region
- We use reusable packaging, reduce its size and weight and switch to recycled paper and cardboard
- A company's energy consumption should also not be underestimated:
- We have been using green electricity since 2022
- Investing in new technical equipment such as electroplating, waste water treatment and compressed air systems
- Reduce the consumption of electricity and the production of waste
Sustainable and future-proof.
Anyone who has been successfully producing needles since 1829 knows that you have to think about tomorrow today. The future brings great opportunities as well as challenges, and addi is committed to the environment – this is simply part of our corporate culture.
A family business, we are acutely aware of our responsibility towards future generations. That responsibility is always in our minds as we continue to develop our products and materials.
In 2020, we received the recognised and proven proof of practised environmental and climate protection in companies - the certification of the company in the ‘Ökoprofit’ project.
We invest continuously:
- Environmentally friendly technologies, e.g. in the use of materials and transport of raw materials
- e.g. transport of bamboo is optimised to conserve resources
- We source many of our raw materials from the region
- We use reusable packaging, reduce its size and weight and switch to recycled paper and cardboard
- A company's energy consumption should also not be underestimated:
- We have been using green electricity since 2022
- Investing in new technical equipment such as electroplating, waste water treatment and compressed air systems
- Reduce the consumption of electricity and the production of waste
Success together.
Working together is the basis for our joint success in both good and less good times. We greatly appreciate the fact that our employees, customers and suppliers are true partners and that we can rely on each other.
Long-term business relationships are an asset to everyone, particularly in today’s fast-moving world. That is why we support our customers – and their customers – wherever we can. For example, complaints are dealt with quickly, delivery times cut where possible thanks to our Lean Lift warehouse and customers kept up to date (through our website and newsletter and by our office staff).
Success together.
Working together is the basis for our joint success in both good and less good times. We greatly appreciate the fact that our employees, customers and suppliers are true partners and that we can rely on each other.
Long-term business relationships are an asset to everyone, particularly in today’s fast-moving world. That is why we support our customers – and their customers – wherever we can. For example, complaints are dealt with quickly, delivery times cut where possible thanks to our Lean Lift warehouse and customers kept up to date (through our website and newsletter and by our office staff).
Our home town.
Our popular addi knitting needles and crochet hooks have been manufactured in the small town of Altena in the Märkischer Kreis district of Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia since 1829.
The town emerged in the shadow of the 12th century Altena Castle, where Richard Schirmann set up the world’s first youth hostel in 1914.
Iron ore and an abundance of water and timber led to the development of a strong local wire production industry. Today, you will probably find Altena wire in every country in the world: the town exports several thousand tonnes of wire each month.
It was this wire that the company’s founder, Peter Heinrich Selter, used to launch production of the very first crochet hooks nearly 200 years ago.
Our home town.
Our popular addi knitting needles and crochet hooks have been manufactured in the small town of Altena in the Märkischer Kreis district of Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia since 1829.
The town emerged in the shadow of the 12th century Altena Castle, where Richard Schirmann set up the world’s first youth hostel in 1914.
Iron ore and an abundance of water and timber led to the development of a strong local wire production industry. Today, you will probably find Altena wire in every country in the world: the town exports several thousand tonnes of wire each month.
It was this wire that the company’s founder, Peter Heinrich Selter, used to launch production of the very first crochet hooks nearly 200 years ago.
Altena has a number of tourist attractions and great leisure opportunities, and is a popular destination for day trips. The highlight is, of course, Altena Castle, but there’s also the first German Wire Museum, the River Lenne and the “Lenne terraces”, and the Adventure Lift, which takes you through the castle hill. Add in hiking trails, sports and cultural facilities and historic churches, and you have a flavour of just what the town has to offer.
People in Altena have strong roots, and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Just like at addi. We know each other, we respect each other and we help each other. In the green heart of North Rhine-Westphalia – right here in the Sauerland.
Altena has a number of tourist attractions and great leisure opportunities, and is a popular destination for day trips. The highlight is, of course, Altena Castle, but there’s also the first German Wire Museum, the River Lenne and the “Lenne terraces”, and the Adventure Lift, which takes you through the castle hill. Add in hiking trails, sports and cultural facilities and historic churches, and you have a flavour of just what the town has to offer.
People in Altena have strong roots, and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Just like at addi. We know each other, we respect each other and we help each other. In the green heart of North Rhine-Westphalia – right here in the Sauerland.
Engagement für die Region
We have always been a reliable and attractive employer in Altena, committed to fostering strong links to the local community. Supporting public institutions such as schools has always been a privilege and never a duty for us. In our position as a well-established family business, it is a pleasure to be able to give something back.
Engagement für die Region
We have always been a reliable and attractive employer in Altena, committed to fostering strong links to the local community. Supporting public institutions such as schools has always been a privilege and never a duty for us. In our position as a well-established family business, it is a pleasure to be able to give something back.
Mission statement of Selter company
- Selter has been around since 1829 as a family business producing in Germany with the addi brand. This will not change in the future.
- We live through our customers. For this we deliver high quality brand products MADE IN GERMANY, which offer a special handwork experience.
- Our customers are inspired by constant innovations. This results in an extraordinary remuneration of the products.
We cannot produce and sell without our employees. - Employees enjoy doing what they do. They enjoy coming to their workplace. The prerequisite for this is an appreciative, social and motivating management style.
We will only work with the best employees.
Mission statement of Selter company
- Selter has been around since 1829 as a family business producing in Germany with the addi brand. This will not change in the future.
- We live through our customers. For this we deliver high quality brand products MADE IN GERMANY, which offer a special handwork experience.
- Our customers are inspired by constant innovations. This results in an extraordinary remuneration of the products.
We cannot produce and sell without our employees. - Employees enjoy doing what they do. They enjoy coming to their workplace. The prerequisite for this is an appreciative, social and motivating management style.
We will only work with the best employees.
- Our suppliers are our partners. We deal with each other fairly and openly and are interested in long-term business relationships that enable both sides to enable both sides to move forward.
- Thinking about tomorrow today. We are aware of the need to use existing resources consciously and carefully. It is our responsibility to future generations. To this end, we constantly develop products and processes.
- We constantly and consciously take risks. In doing so, we trust in our abilities. Our work includes controlled growth. We rejoice in successes together.
- The continuation of the social market economy is the prerequisite for the realization of our mission statement.
