The Gobi Story
Gobi was created in 2010, a long time ago when water bottles were not fashionable! Initially created by three partners to eliminate disposable bottles in offices, Gobi has become the first eco-design brand made in France .
Gobi is now run by its two co-founders, Florence Baitinger and Samuel Degrémont.
They were perplexed and worried by the invasion of disposable plastic bottles and tumblers. They understand that this is a major problem and the challenge of changing habits is not an easy one.
Our mission at Gobi is to break new ground in how we drink water. The first reusable and customisable water bottle saw the light of day, the result of a passionate collaboration between a sociologist, eco-designers, a design studio, a material scientist in the healthcare sector and an industrial partner. Against all odds, the decision was made to manufacture entirely in France.
More than a product, it's a use that's been invented. And a whole community called on to grow with Gobi. They set out to conquer offices, major corporations and international summits, even producing all the water bottles for COP21. To bring things full circle, Gobi has even created an app that lets you find water points everywhere: FreeTaps.
In the mess of emergency messages and false good solutions, Gobi is forging a soothing yet always active personality. The driving force is the desire to invent desirable alternatives to existing products or services, those whose environmental impact is too heavy or which do not offer enough added value for society.
15 years before everyone else: the choice of made in France
Choosing to work with factories, screen printers, printers... in France. This is the choice that Gobi made since its inception by creating its own manufacturing model. A relocation choice before its time required investing in industrial tools and gaining partners' trust.
Today, Gobi directly and indirectly creates over 70 jobs, including 30 solidarity jobs at the ESAT de Rosebrie in Mandres-les-Roses.
Made in France also means zero long-distance travel. Between 10 and 20% of greenhouse gas emissions are avoided compared to products manufactured far away! That's what commitment is all about.
... and the choice ofeco-design
Gourds, cutlery, lunch boxes: all Gobi products are made-to-measure in France by designer Laurent Vermeglio, with an obsession for beauty and details that make life easier.
They have been designed using preventive eco-design with the Mu cooperative (environmental assessment and impact reduction), applying the precautionary principle (health guarantees that exceed regulations, tested and validated in independent laboratories).
This means that all manufacturing choices have been made taking into account the product's life cycle: from manufacture to use, including the choice of materials. To minimize their environmental impact, while encouraging their adoption and use.
