From Lenzburg to Aarau: Moving into our TreeHouse
Those who have known us for a while know that NIKIN is a Lenzburg company, that it started there and is deeply rooted in the region. This year, however, we dared to venture out into the wide world, more precisely: to Aarau. A suitable building became available in the heart of the old town, where we set up in March. The big move, the elaborate installation of our tree – which now extends from the 4th floor to the ground floor and can be admired – and finally the festive opening of our TreeHouse cost us more than just a drop of sweat.
But the effort was more than worth it: Since March, the NIKIN TreeHouse has been an integral part of Aarau's cityscape and a place of inspiration, encounters, and for our community to come together. For exactly this community, we created a dedicated space in the TreeHouse, the Community Hub, where events, talks, and gatherings can take place. And we have made extensive use of this in recent months.
By the way: If you haven't made it to our TreeHouse yet, you can get an idea of our new home in our small but excellent documentary film.
With the Community in, around, and on the TreeHouse
With the TreeHouse, we finally have the space to regularly invite our community. We launched our monthly TreeHouse Talks and discussed the future of the textile industry with guests like Patagonia, Muntognard, and We are ZRKL. We also appealed to the sense of taste, with coffee experts who showed us what really good coffee is all about. And in autumn, we ventured into the forest for the first time: Our first joint mushroom excursion was a complete success.
One action, which was actually meant as a joke, particularly surprised us: We offered the TreeHouse as an Airbnb, initially as an April Fool's joke. However, the demand was so great that we quickly set up a tent on our terrace and actually welcomed guests. There was even a marriage proposal! And then there was our homage to Aarau: The Rüebli socks for the Rüeblimärt were sold out within a few hours – over 500 pairs. Incredible!
We look forward to many more conversations, ideas, and events in the TreeHouse and have already planned a lot for 2026.
From Coffee to Mushrooms to Carrots: Product Highlights 2025
In terms of products, we also really stepped on the gas in 2025. We listened to your feedback on new shirts with large prints. That's why there were several of them. Particularly popular was the Crowd Design Shirt by our winner Sophia, which quickly became a clear favorite. Our Mushroom Collection also met with great approval, including a practical mushroom knife made from wood scraps from our TreeHouse tree – perfect for anyone who enjoys mushroom foraging.
In addition to new ideas, we also revised our classics, above all the TreeShirt. The goal: to make them even more comfortable, durable, and sustainable. With our first Puffer Jacket, we launched another highlight. It is windproof, water-repellent, completely PFC-free, and thus ideal for any outdoor adventure. For the first time, we also included wool products in our range. It was particularly important to us to work only with RWS-certified suppliers to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.
Another highlight of the year was our legendary Rüebli socks, which we designed especially for the Rüeblimärt in Aarau. And of course, as every year: For every product sold, a tree was planted in 2025. This brings us closer to our goal of planting 3 million trees, step by step.
300,000 Trees: Our TreePlanting Projects 2025
In 2025, we once again planted thousands of trees together with our partner organizations, thereby generating important ecological, social, and economic impulses – from South America to Asia and Africa. Here's an overview of where your support took root this year:
Brazil: Reforestation in Carla's Homeland
In Sete Lagoas, the home of our CFO Carla, several planting phases were implemented in January, March, and December. The region suffers from deforestation and soil erosion – our reforestation helps protect biodiversity and regenerate nature. Do you want more details? Click here for the blog.
Thailand: Agroforestry & Protection of Hill Tribes
In February, we supported a project with One Tree Planted that protects the habitats of indigenous mountain communities – through reforestation and sustainable agriculture. You can read all about it here.
Senegal: Mangrove and Agroforestry Projects
From May, two projects were implemented with veritree: mangrove reforestation on the coasts and agroforestry inland. The projects not only improve the climate but also the living conditions of the local people. You can find all information in the corresponding blog.
Bhutan: Hazelnut Trees for a Stable Future
In autumn (October & November), we supported a project with hazelnut trees for income generation, erosion control, and long-term greening. In cooperation with small farmers for a stable future. All information here.
Overall, in 2025, we were able to plant over 300,000 trees in four countries – with positive effects on nature, people, and local communities. This result impressively shows what is possible with a committed community.
What's planned for 2026?
As if 2025 wasn't busy enough, we'll continue in 2026 with even more vigor. Because the coming year is a very special one for NIKIN: Our journey began 10 years ago. 10 years full of ideas, creativity, innovations, products, encounters with inspiring people, and of course countless trees. We have planted trees, staged them, put them on products – and they have always accompanied us on our way.
We want to celebrate all these highlights of the last decade in 2026. Our official anniversary is on October 22nd, as every year – but a 10-year celebration only happens once in a lifetime, so we're starting the festivities at the beginning of the year. So get ready for lots of NIKIN history, emotions, events, and surprises.
Without you, it wouldn't be possible, dear Community
Finally, we want to say one thing above all: Thank you, dear Community, for the last 9 years, for your support, your feedback, your questions, and the many visits to the TreeHouse. We are really looking forward to starting the next chapter in NIKIN's history with you in 2026 and to raising a toast to 10 years of NIKIN. So: see you soon!
