APU KUNTUR

In Love with Alpaca: The Story of APU KUNTUR

Founder Nelly Gutknecht-Amachi takes you on a journey into the world of APU KUNTUR.
Discover our inspiring story – what drives us, and what we envision for the future.

Between the Andes and the Alps: Fair Trade Production in Peru

Our Production in Cusco, Peru

Join us on a short documentary journey through the making of an alpaca sweater. Our factory in Cusco opens its doors and offers you a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship and care that goes into every single piece.

We warmly invite you: Like many of our customers before you, feel free to contact us if you’d like to personally visit our production site in Cusco – we’ll be happy to arrange a guided tour for you.

Our Social Projects

Discover how APU KUNTUR goes beyond fashion to actively support the community in Cusco through a variety of social initiatives.

Our production facility is continuously expanding and being modernized. In addition to bright, sunlit workspaces, state-of-the-art European knitting machines, and a shared cafeteria, we offer our employees on-site childcare.
Since 2020, we have also launched our own training program for hearing-impaired employees – a project that is especially close to our hearts.

Finest Alpaca Fashion

Since its founding in 1989, APU KUNTUR has stood for the highest quality and sustainable production.

In our own manufacturing facility in Cusco, Peru, we transform the finest Peruvian natural fibers – including luxurious alpaca and organically grown Pima cotton – into textile masterpieces you’ll love.

Today, our ever-expanding range includes more than 300 items: from cardigans, gloves, and alpaca socks to thermal underwear and irresistibly soft alpaca toys.

Our Commitment to Diospi Suyana:
Healthcare for Peru’s Indigenous Communities

Most indigenous communities in Peru have only limited access to medical care. Diospi Suyana is dedicated to changing this – a mission that we feel deeply connected to and are proud to support.

With its hospital funded entirely by donations, Diospi Suyana provides medical care to those in need – especially children and underprivileged families – regardless of their financial situation. Highly qualified doctors and medical staff offer dedicated care to ensure the best possible treatment for people in crisis. In addition to medical care, the organization also focuses on education and pastoral support to create long-term opportunities.

Our support for Diospi Suyana reflects our strong connection to Peru and our belief that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. We are grateful to be part of this meaningful mission. Learn more about Diospi Suyana on their website.

Diospi Suyana

Sustainable Alpaca Fashion with Respect for People and Nature

At APU KUNTUR, we are passionate about sustainable alpaca fashion.
We work closely with partners who share our values and our commitment to responsible practices.
Our collaborations are built on fairness and quality – at the heart of everything we do.
It is important to us that our partners also take responsibility for upholding ethical and moral standards.

Social Responsibility and Fair Conditions
Fair working conditions are a top priority in all our business relationships. At our family-run production facility in Cusco, Peru, we follow Fair Trade principles. In addition to fair wages and above-average social benefits, our employees also enjoy shared meals and a respectful work environment. Come visit us and see for yourself. We also maintain strong, long-standing partnerships with our many retailers across Europe – allowing us to grow together and offer our customers the very best.
Excellence in Every Detail
We are equally committed to the highest product quality. Only items that meet our strict quality standards become part of our collection. For our designs, we exclusively use the finest and most luxurious alpaca fibers and organically grown Pima cotton. All further processing is done using high-grade materials from Peru. As Europe’s largest full-range supplier of alpaca fashion, we’ve been offering a continually evolving and expanding product range since 1989.

Sustainability and Connection to Nature
Alpacas are shorn once a year in a gentle, animal-friendly process that causes no harm. They graze at high altitudes in Peru where few other forms of agriculture are possible. As herbivores, alpacas nibble grass without uprooting it, preserving the natural growth cycle. And thanks to their soft, padded feet, they do not damage the soil. This harmony with nature helps protect and preserve the ancient legacy of the Incas – for generations to come.
Customer Focus and Excellent Service
Our dedicated customer service team takes the time to truly understand your needs. We listen carefully and respond personally – because your satisfaction is a core part of our company philosophy.

Would you like to learn more about our values?
You’ll find further information in our image brochure.

A Family Business – From the Andes to the Alps

Nelly Gutknecht-Amachi

Founder & Managing Director
Design, Production, and Sales at the Christmas Market, Zurich

Matthias Gutknecht

Founder & Managing Director
Development and Sales in Switzerland and Europe

Juvenal Amachi- Gil

Managing Director
Production in Peru

Juan Pfuno- Amachi

Managing Director
Production in Peru

Danna Hartmann

Design & Concept
Boutique Winterthur

Prisila Cécile

Design & Concept
Atelier Winterthur

Have you ever wondered what the name APU KUNTUR means? The name has its roots deep in Andean culture: “APU” stands for the spiritual essence of the mountains – a revered term that reflects a deep bond with nature. “KUNTUR” is the Quechua word for condor, the majestic bird that soars high above the Andes. Together, the name APU KUNTUR represents a powerful bond with the spiritual and natural world of the Andes, symbolized by the grandeur of the mountains and the freedom of the condor.

Nelly Gutknecht-Amachi founded her own knitting business in Cusco, Peru, as a single mother of three children – with the goal of providing other mothers and families with secure jobs and stable income. Today, the production site employs over 100 people and is managed by her brother Juvenal and her cousin Juan.

Managing Director Matthias Gutknecht sees team spirit as an essential part of the company philosophy: “All employees are part of our family. We place great importance on a positive working environment.”
Our facility in Peru, for example, has its own in-house cafeteria, allowing employees to take a relaxing break and enjoy a warm, free meal. We train young people without prior experience and support them through further education programs. Group excursions and team activities are independently organized by our staff – strengthening team spirit and collaboration.

In Winterthur, Switzerland, new designs are diligently created with the support of daughters Danna and Prisila. If we’ve sparked your curiosity, come visit us at our showroom in Kreuzlingen or our boutique – and experience APU KUNTUR up close and personal.

Contact Us

Head Office | Showroom | Sales

APU KUNTUR GmbH
Hafenstrasse 48
CH-8280 Kreuzlingen
Switzerland

E-Mail

info@apukuntur.com

Phone

+49 7531 369 73 94
+41 52 233 89 80

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

EU Shipping | Warehouse

APU KUNTUR GmbH
Distribution Center
August-Borsig-Str. 9
DE-78467 Konstanz
Germany

In Love with Alpaca: The Story of APU KUNTUR

Between the Andes and the Alps: Fair Trade Production in Peru

Our Production in Cusco, Peru

Our Social Projects

Finest Alpaca Fashion

Our Commitment to Diospi Suyana:
Healthcare for Peru’s Indigenous Communities

Sustainable Alpaca Fashion with Respect for People and Nature

Social Responsibility and Fair Conditions

Excellence in Every Detail

Sustainability and Connection to Nature

Customer Focus and Excellent Service

A Family Business – From the Andes to the Alps

Nelly Gutknecht-Amachi

Matthias Gutknecht

Juvenal Amachi- Gil

Juan Pfuno- Amachi

Danna Hartmann

Prisila Cécile

Contact Us

Head Office | Showroom | Sales

E-Mail

Phone

EU Shipping | Warehouse

What’s New…

Our shops

Headquarters|Showroom|Sales

Warehouse & Shipping|EU

In Love with Alpaca: The Story of APU KUNTUR

Between the Andes and the Alps: Fair Trade Production in Peru

Our Production in Cusco, Peru

Our Social Projects

Finest Alpaca Fashion

Our Commitment to Diospi Suyana: Healthcare for Peru’s Indigenous Communities

Sustainable Alpaca Fashion with Respect for People and Nature

A Family Business – From the Andes to the Alps

Nelly Gutknecht-Amachi

Matthias Gutknecht

Juvenal Amachi- Gil

Juan Pfuno- Amachi

Danna Hartmann

Prisila Cécile

Contact Us

Head Office | Showroom | Sales

E-Mail

Phone

EU Shipping | Warehouse

What’s New…

APU KUNTUR

Our shops

Headquarters|Showroom|Sales

Warehouse & Shipping|EU

Our Commitment to Diospi Suyana:
Healthcare for Peru’s Indigenous Communities