Youtube star Fynn Kliemann is in the pillory because of dubious mask deals – and partly blames his business partner from the textile company “Global Tactics”. What does he say about that?
The scandal surrounding the allegations of fraud against musician Fynn Kliemann continues to have an impact. After Jan Böhmermann and his “ZDF Magazine Royale” Kliemann’s questionable business practices related to mask deals in the Corona crisis, many questions remain unanswered. Above all: Who lied and cheated when and how badly?
Although Kliemann himself admitted to mistakes in various interviews, he also pretended to be clueless in parts – and blamed his business partner “Global Tactics” passed on. This company organized the procurement of the masks on Kliemann’s behalf, which allegedly “fair” and all should be produced in Europe. Which was not true, as we now know. Because in the About You online shop, Kliemann masks that actually came from Asia were sold on a large scale. And inferior masks from Asian production are also said to have ended up in a refugee camp.
Kliemann said that star In addition, he knew about the productions in Bangladesh and helped arrange the deal. “However, these masks were intended solely for distribution by and through ‘Global Tactics’.” Only masks from Europe were sold in his own online shop. “I have not been involved in the sale of just one mask from Bangladesh or Vietnam, nor have I made any money from any of those masks. I didn’t cheat.”
It’s just stupid that the Bangladesh masks are under Kliemann’s label “OR SO.” were sold in the About You online shop. He have there “didn’t look any further”says Kliemann today, but emphasizes: “The deal was only between ‘About You’ and ‘Global Tactics’, the mask production company, which I was not involved with at the time.”
Global Tactics and the sustainability promise
The Postscript “at this time” is important because Kliemann actually got involved after the lucrative mask business, which personally brought him half a million euros “Global Tactics” involved. Or more precisely: “Tom Illbruck, the head of Global Tactics, and I have formed a new company with a similar name and purpose”, as Kliemann says. Formally a new company, but then as now it is called Global Tactics and makes sustainable textiles.
Global Tactics founder Illbruck had last year in the star himself about “green washing” and emphasizes how important it is to pay attention to the country of origin of textiles. Now he had to admit that major customers were offered masks made in Asia, “without explicitly saying where the masks come from”, as he put it to DPA. This is how he explains the Bangladesh masks for About You. “According to the documents we have, there is no agreement with About You that the masks came explicitly from Portugal and this has not been assured in writing anywhere.”
There, however, it was apparently firmly assumed that: “To this day, we were not aware that some of the masks were not produced in Europe,” wrote About You boss Tarek Müller on Friday evening. The ZDF research also suggests that Global Tactics deliberately concealed the origin of the Asian masks.
Reputation severely damaged
At the request of star Global Tactics founder Illbruck said on Monday about the mask gate: “I regret that we didn’t communicate more clearly.” Illbruck did not want to answer specific questions about the deal with About You or the story in the refugee camp, but announced a detailed statement for the next few days. He doesn’t feel that way about the fact that Kliemann pushed the buck over to him. In private, they are still good friends.
Regarding the business of Global Tactics as a whole, Illbruck asserts: “We have never had anything made in Bangladesh other than masks in spring 2020.” And: “We produce our clothes exclusively in Europe.” But there seem to be small exceptions, as Illbruck admits. “At the customer’s request, side products such as flip-flops, sunglasses or headgear are manufactured outside of Europe, for example in China.”
Global Tactics’ reputation has been badly damaged. But on the homepage there is no reference to the scandal so far. The company continues to proudly call itself there “Textile manufacture for fair and sustainable clothing – made in Europe”. Artists, musicians and fashion labels can commission their own collections here, clubs can have their sportswear made, everything is produced “in our own production facilities in Portugal and Serbia”. You can “Ensure social standards that guarantee fair working conditions and a fair income for everyone involved”.
Who is supposed to believe that now? The German Sustainability Award was given to Fynn Kliemann and his team “green washing” denied again. And a prominent customer has already pulled the ripcord: FC St. Pauli has stopped a planned joint project with Global Tactics. If the allegations prove true, the football club announced that legal consequences would be examined.
There remains one saying that jumps out at you in several places on the Global Tactics website and now appears in a completely new light: “We’re not perfect yet, but we work every day on a completely transparent and overly sustainable product.” So still a lot of work.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
