In human surroundings, trees appear as an allegory of life. They endow us in many respects. The sight of them delights us; they give us shade, fresh air worth breathing and an abundance of fruits. Wood characterizes our everyday life as a vital material for building houses and furniture. In winter, it supplies us with warmth and light.
Another wonderful gift that trees present to us is the possibility to make wooden toys. Treated gently, wood retains its naturalness and energy which will benefit children. They can experience the purity of nature with all their senses.
Wood - Our Natural, Lively Material
At Ostheimer, we appreciate wood and this is expressed in the way we treat this lively material throughout production stage. Starting with the conscious purchase of wood from sustainable forestry, continuing with efficient utilization and ending with the use of residual wood for the heating our buildings. Each step is dedicated to the protection of our environment.
Every piece of wood tells its own story. You can experience these stories through our toys. The surfaces are not sealed by paints or varnishes. The careful treatment with paints and organic oils gives children the possibility to experience the vitality of the wood with all their senses.
Work as Social Life
Made by People for People - Thus, Toys Are Created in Highest Quality
It has always been a founding idea of our toy company that the cooperative work between people with and without disabilities is an important part of a healthy work process.
The interaction of both creates an important basis for everything we do. This is what gives our toys a special human presence. The frame of mind of the people involved in the process will always show in the products they make.
Making New Things Possible
When Margarete Ostheimer converted the company from private ownership into a foundation in the year 2001, it was her desire to support forward-looking initiatives and projects. It has always been her conviction, not to accumulate profits, but to return them back into community. This is still a notably important part of the Ostheimer’s corporate philosophy. The same is true for Ostheimer’s belief that through our toys children are granted that which is essential for their healthy development.
Awareness of Real Quality
If we use the term „quality“ for something, we usually speak of aspects like its nature, material, high class workmanship, safety, healthiness or stability. These values, these kinds of „qualities“ are usually seen and evaluated in products. They can be tested, measured and examined. They are „obvious“, perceivable with our senses. All these aspects are taken into consideration, if we speak of the high quality of Ostheimer products.
We are convinced, however, that for real quality in a product you need to look even beyond these physical aspects. All things surrounding us, make an impact on us, not only in respect to what we can see or detect physically. This is all the more true for children who are still developing. Everything that a child encounters has an influence on its development. As toy manufacturers we therefore bear a special responsibility. We feel, it is an important aspect of our work to gain extensive insight in and awareness of all qualities that are effective in products and thus make an impact on children.
It is important to us to further deepen our awareness of quality in this way.
