The safety shoe manufacturer Haix, based in Mainburg, Bavaria, is also monitoring developments in industry and especially in the automotive sector. “At the moment, however, most of our customers are not from industry, so the effects are not yet noticeable. “However, you have to expect that such changes will ultimately have wider implications,” the company said in response to a schuhcourier query. However, Haix emphasizes that the share of sales from large-scale industrial companies is very low. There is currently no sign of falling demand – also due to the company’s international activities. “Even though Germany is a very important market for Haix, we are well positioned internationally and serve different customer groups with our product range. In addition to the workwear environment with industry, crafts, gardening and landscaping and other specialist areas, Haix also offers a wide range of shoes and boots for forestry workers, nursing staff, fire departments, rescue services, police and military. This broad spectrum means that demand is more diverse, so we continue to plan for growth,” explains the company. Smaller craft businesses are also very important for the company, because “this environment traditionally places particular emphasis on comfort and places high demands on the quality of work shoes, which is why many craftsmen and women wear our products.” Haix manufactures 100% in Europe, “This is the only way we can meet our customers’ high demands for first-class work shoes and clothing and enforce the highest standards.”
“Stay flexible”
What expectations does the Lower Rhine safety shoe manufacturer Elten start the new year with? Heiner van Elten, managing director of the company founded 114 years ago, says he prefers to talk about hopes instead of expectations. “I hope that 2025 will be a year of positive news. I hope that we will get a strong new federal government. I hope that the global political situation calms down and I hope that no or as few jobs as possible will be lost in industry. Unfortunately, I assume that there will continue to be major uncertainties at a global and national level that could impact our industry.” The biggest challenge for the company from Uedem in the Lower Rhine is “that we are currently in very difficult times predictable times. This makes it more difficult to plan long-term and we have to remain flexible as a company and constantly adapt our strategies.” However, Heiner van Elten sees an opportunity in the new elections in February, “which will hopefully produce a stable government that ensures economic growth and social optimism .”
