How Melanie Ensures Sustainable Quality Throughout the Entire Lifecycle
Sustainability and quality do not emerge on paper – they are born from experience, precision, and people who take responsibility.
Melanie Deppe's connection to textiles began long before she took responsibility for product quality at CWS Workwear.
“I practically grew up on the cutting table,” she says with a smile.
She studied Clothing Engineering in Mönchengladbach and wrote her diploma thesis in the field of quality assurance for a clothing manufacturer. Her first job in quality assurance at a clothing importer was a real leap into the deep end – after just four months, she took over as department head.
Craftsmanship, precision, and a high standard of quality have shaped her path to this day.
Quality as an Attitude – Shaped by Craftsmanship
Melanie found inspiration early in her family environment. Her grandfather ran a bespoke and alteration tailoring business, which was later taken over by her uncle. As a teenager, she worked there part-time – and learned what quality truly means in everyday life.
“Precision and care were second nature to me,” she explains. “At the same time, I learned to think pragmatically and find solutions when something didn’t work right away.”
This combination of quality awareness and solution orientation continues to shape her work today. And she remains loyal to craftsmanship in her personal life: she still sews herself – including the dress from the last kick-off – using a sewing machine that is over 75 years old.
The Perfect Match
After the birth of her two children, Melanie sought a new professional challenge. Through her husband’s textile cleaning business, she was already privately connected to laundry and care processes.
“When I saw the job posting, I immediately thought: Perfect Match,” she recalls. “For the first time, I could accompany textiles not only during their creation but throughout their entire lifecycle.”
This perspective continues to fascinate her to this day.
From Test Center to Holistic Product Responsibility
Melanie started ten years ago at CWS Workwear as head of the test center, responsible for wash tests. Her role quickly evolved. Today, she holds overall responsibility for the product quality of CWS Workwear.
One of the most significant projects was the establishment of an international product quality organization.
“Five years ago, this structure didn’t exist in this form,” she explains. “Our goal was to consolidate all quality-related topics, create clear responsibilities, and advance topics more effectively.”
For Melanie, it’s clear: product quality is not a completed project. Regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and sustainability issues are constantly evolving. That’s why her team understands quality as a continuous improvement process.
Where Quality and Sustainability Come Together
For Melanie and her team, quality and sustainability are inseparably linked.
“Through high quality, good repair measures, and good washability, we extend the lifespan of our products,” she says. “Every item that doesn’t need to be newly produced saves significant resources.”
The focus is on durable materials, repair concepts, and optimized care properties – so that clothing remains in use for as long as possible. This benefits the environment, companies, and especially the customers.
“Our work ensures that wearers can focus on their actual tasks – without having to worry about their clothing,” explains Melanie.
Leadership with Trust and Responsibility
In working with her team, Melanie relies on transparency, trust, and personal responsibility. She provides space for individual solutions and sees herself as a sparring partner and supporter.
She describes the corporate culture as trusting and friendly – characterized by openness, motivation, and many ideas.
“I have experienced a lot of trust here,” she says. “Under the motto: ‘Melanie, you can do it.’ This enables real development.”
Looking Ahead
Being part of a company with over 125 years of history means one thing to Melanie above all: learning and evolving.
“Success is based on the ability to adapt again and again,” she says. “Customer proximity, quality, and willingness to change have carried us through many phases.”
For the future, she sees great potential – especially in the areas of sustainability, circular economy, and holistic product responsibility.
Her advice to new colleagues at CWS Workwear aligns with her own journey:
“Be open, ask questions, and take advantage of the opportunities to develop yourself. Especially here, there are many opportunities to take responsibility and truly make a difference.”
Because sustainable quality doesn’t happen by chance – it’s created through experience, craftsmanship, and people who take responsibility.