Halftime: What do you expect for the second half of the year?
Heiner van Elten: Despite the overall economic situation, we are satisfied with the first half of the year. The second half of the year is all about occupational safety and occupational safety, the A+A, which will take place again in Düsseldorf in early November. In addition, we hope for political course that strengthen commercial and industrial jobs. Because a healthy trade and a healthy industry continue to mean demand for high -quality occupational safety solutions.
Which technical and material -side innovations are you currently launching the market?
Of course, we only present our innovations on A+A in November. However, we always have the aim of further developing the comfort and safety of our shoes through innovative ideas. We have recently had a model with the Knick protection system BetterGuards on the market. This is a kind of buckling belt for the foot. An intelligent mini piston is integrated in shoe shaft. The associated belt system is invisibly hidden in the shoe. Only the system belt of the system, which is pulled across the shoe from the outside, is visible. With normal movements, the system offers full freedom of movement and only activates itself in kinking situations. We also strive to offer shoes with the most perfect fit as possible and to ensure optimal wearing comfort with a wide variety of foot shapes. That is why we continue to develop our multi -wide system continuously.
Where do you see a lot of potential for your market segment?
The construction industry is the locomotive of our economy ”, the new Federal Minister of Living, Urban Development and Building, Verena Hubertz, recently said in the Bundestag. If this locomotive gets pressure back in the boiler, it also affects us – because every construction worker and craftsman is a safety shoe carrier. I also see potential in the area of vocational shoes, especially for nursing and service professions, where comfort and weight play an increasingly important role. If you are on your feet for many hours every day, you need a shoe that is designed for keeping your feet healthy. A reasonably steamed sole is essential in these areas. Among other things, we work with the damping material Infinergy from BASF. This has a feathering effect that makes the feet tire more slowly and thus protects the joints and back. In times of the ever greater shortage of skilled workers, it is important to do everything for the health of the employees. And it starts on the feet.
In the area of safety shoes, it is constantly being developed. Which areas are particularly interesting for you?
Currently, the topics of lightness and modern design are exciting – i.e. models that combine the wearing comfort of a sneaker with the protective requirements of a safety shoe. User behavior changes noticeably, especially among the younger providers. There is much more emphasis on style and flexibility. And let’s be honest – a shoe that I don’t like at all will certainly press somewhere. However, if the shoe likes, the acceptance is to wear it in many times higher. This is an essential factor, especially in the area of safety shoes.
Name three keywords for which your company stands.
Reliability, innovative strength and a clear future orientation. These values shape the work in our family company for 115 years now and will continue to do so in the future in the fifth generation.
