2023 marks an important milestone for LOWA - it’s their 100th birthday! That’s a century of leading the production of high quality outdoor footwear, that’s now worn for both professional and leisure purposes across the globe. With 2023 marking such a big anniversary, now seems like the perfect opportunity to reflect back on how LOWA began and where it stands today.
From Humble Beginnings To Global Outdoor Footwear Producer
LOWA began in 1923 with Lorenz Wagner who set up a shoemaker’s workshop in his parent’s home in Jetzendorf, Bavaria. A few years later, Lorenz Wagner established a small factory, where the focus was on manufacturing ski boots. The name ‘LOWA’ came into being when Wagner handed the factory over to his daughter and her husband, Bertie and Josef Lederer in 1952 - They dedicated the name to their founder’s first name and surname (LOrenz WAgner). The Lederer’s branched into new mountaineering and expedition opportunities, creating the trekker mountain boot in 1982 - an important milestone in the field of outdoor footwear.
With the company struggling financially in the late 1980s, the Lederer family decided to sell its shares in order to secure jobs, meaning the company became led by Werner Riethmann and owned by the Tecnica Group throughout the 1990s. With a focus on mountaineering boots, a huge success came in 1997 with the creation of the LOWA Renegade which quickly became a world bestseller, and is still, to this day, one of their most popular boots. Throughout the 2000’s sales increased into the millions as LOWA continued to establish itself as a worldwide footwear manufacturer. In 2019 LOWA acquired a longstanding production partner, with over 2000 employees now working for the company. In the same year, Alexander Nicolai became CEO of the company and now manages the running of the company alongside Werner Riethmann.
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What Does LOWA Stand For Today?
A company steeped in tradition, LOWA boots are still made in Jetzendorf, using only specially selected cowhides from Europe, but with the latest innovations in footwear technology. Let’s take a closer look at the key characteristics of the company in 2023.
Innovation
Since its inception in 1923, LOWA has been daring in its ambition, leading the way in the innovation of outdoor footwear. Today’s LOWA boots feature a number of features designed to enhance durability, comfort and performance. This includes the likes of exclusive monowrap technology, ankle shield technology, rayflect technology and anti-slip technology to name just a few examples. They’re always on the lookout to enhance their products wherever possible.
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Artisanship
All LOWA boots are handcrafted with the utmost care and attention. This is part of what makes them such a reliable choice of footwear. The leather is cut and sewn together using an industrial sewing machine before being attached to the outsole using an exclusive spray on glueing process. A bespoke last (mould) is used to shape the uppers with precision and a rubber rand is mounted separately onto the edges of the boot to enhance durability and protection. The soles are extensively pre-treated before being cemented onto the footwear with a pneumatic press. All finished LOWA boots go through thorough quality control checks before being shipped out.
Corporate Responsibility
LOWA are committed to sustainable growth and this is reflected in their engagement in a range of social and environmental projects, such as planting 500 trees per year for a Bavarian reforestation project. They’re also proud members of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) that helps fund crucial nature preservation projects. Within the LOWA workplace itself, the company takes steps to reduce carbon emissions where possible. This includes using solar power and green hydroelectric power to cover their energy demands.
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Reputation
Over the past 100 years, LOWA has built its reputation as a leading manufacturer of outdoor footwear worldwide. They pride themselves on delivering durable, high performance footwear whilst leading the way with innovations. That’s why their footwear is relied upon by military and emergency services personnel across the globe, as well as individuals who use their boots for outdoor adventures like hiking and mountaineering.
You can buy LOWA boots in the UK from Taskforce Distribution. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for help finding the right boot for your requirements. Feel free to give us a call on +44 (0)1752 344355, or send us an email at [email protected]. In the meantime, why not check out the range of LOWA military boots, police boots and safety boots that we have available?
