Patagonia's reason for being: Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire, and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. Patagonia grew out of a small company that made tools for climbers, as a result Alpinism remains at the heart of a worldwide business that still makes clothing and shoes for climbing--as well as for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling and trail running. In each of these sports, the reward comes in the form of hard-won grace and moments of connection between the athlete and nature. Patagonia's values reflect those of a business started by a band of climbers and surfers, and the minimalist style they promoted; the approach they take towards product design demonstrates a bias for simplicity and utility. At Patagonia, a love of wild and beautiful places demands participation in the fight to save them, and to help reverse the steep decline in the overall environmental health of the planet. Patagonia donates their time, services and at least 1% of sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups all over the world who work to help reverse the tide, and they work steadily to reduce any pollution and harms caused by their business activity. They use recycled polyester in many of their clothes and only organic, rather than pesticide-intensive, cotton. Staying true to their core values during thirty-plus years in business has helped create a company the employees are proud to run and work for, and their focus on making the best products possible has brought success in the marketplace.
