“The Time Is Right for Our Product”

As Chairman of Meyer Hosen AG, Sven Wandres also drives MMX forward.

MMX’s casual trousers, which are fashionable as well as sustainable, are semi-sartorially processed. The brand also impresses with a focal price of 179 Euros and a 3.0 mark-up.

MMX

“THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR OUR PRODUCT”

A rare convergence: MMX, a premium trouser specialist, has gained a clear advantage in a competitive market by combining fashion and sustainability. Yet MMX has even more to offer, says Chairman Sven Wandres.

Interview: Nicoletta Schaper. Photos: MMX

Consumption has become much more important. Is MMX the right product for this era?

Yes, there is much to be said for that. Consumers have become more demanding and expect quality fashion, both in terms of fit and merchandising, in a carefully curated retail environment. In addition, sustainability has become more important to them, and with it brands that act sincerely instead of engaging in greenwashing. This is a development that greatly benefits MMX as a brand.

What is sustainable about your brand?

We are the only supplier in this segment to have switched exclusively to 100 percent organic cotton, a move we initiated three years ago. Organic cotton is produced with 40 percent less water, which is good for the environment and the customers, as it is grown without using any chemical pesticides, artificial fertilisers, or genetically modified seeds. This is particularly important to the increasing number of people suffering from allergies. We have been manufacturing in our own facility in Transylvania for 30 years, and we also attach great importance to social standards.

What else predestines MMX as a partner for retailers?

Our 3.0 mark-up, as well as an extensive, fashionable stock programme, which is fairly rare in our segment. Standard beige and blue are no longer sufficient. Modern customers desire something more exciting, for example consistently sustainable high-performance jersey joggers and special designs ranging from checks to pepita. Moreover, retailers have realised how important it is to have a supplier who produces in Europe. As a small, dedicated team, we deliver reliably and react flexibly to fashion trends at short notice.

Speaking of sales…

With 1,000 points of sale, we are internationally represented beyond the German-speaking market. Now we want to explore these markets in more depth. To this end, we take trends in the respective markets into account, which is why we coordinate closely with our local sales agency partners. In France and Italy, where we supply 200 points of sale, customers particularly appreciate innovative designs and details, while fashion can be more colourful in the Netherlands. Overall, the significantly increased interest in sustainable fashion is helpful to us. Both retailers and their customers want to understand to what extent MMX is environmentally conscious and how we achieve 100 percent climate-neutral production. Because our trousers are Fairtrade and Made in Green certified, the entire supply chain can be traced via QR code. I myself was very positively surprised at how often this feature is accessed. For me, this is a clear indication that we can still achieve more by resolutely continuing on the path we have chosen.