INVENTOR OF THE FOOTBED
01
We manufacture our sandals in Germany under the best conditions for our brand in our own production facilities with an extensive amount of handwork. Depending on the model, a sandal undergoes up to 17 steps. It takes well over 100 highly skilled hand movements to make our finished closed-toe BIRKENSTOCK models. Our closed-toe shoes are made in workshops in Portugal in accordance with the principles of a centuries-old tradition of hand craftsmanship.
Whether they are produced by hand or using industrial methods – all BIRKENSTOCK products meet the highest quality standards in the shoe industry anywhere in the world. We make just as few compromises when we source our materials (cork, natural latex, copper, brass, wool felt and the best leather) as we do when we process them. Our raw materials come from sustainable natural resources. Where possible, we source these materials in Europe.
CORPORATE MANAGEMENT
Since the formation of the BIRKENSTOCK Group at the end of 2012, Oliver Reichert has been the first CEO from outside the family to head the long-standing company. At first, he represented the Group together with Markus Bensberg, since 01 May 2021 as the sole CEO. Oliver Reichert is the engine and the driving force behind BIRKENSTOCK’s transition to become a global lifestyle brand, thereby laying the foundation for the company’s strong global growth.
THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR BRAND – TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES OF EXPERIENCE
02
As a family company in the sixth generation, we see things differently. We focus on what matters in everything we do. Every satisfied customer will come back and happily recommend us. We don’t even have to do that much – apart from looking after our products and the needs of our customers with tremendous passion and belief, of course. In this way, our company has grown healthily from one year to the next, maturing into one of the world’s best-known shoe brands. We’ve got nothing against smart advertising, but successful marketing always starts with a good product. This is something that is all too often forgotten these days.
WELL-BEING AS A PRINCIPLE
03
BIRKENSTOCK products do what they promise. They are functional, well made, and durable. If cared for properly, they will last for years. The high level of quality is the result of carefully selected, high-quality materials from sustainable sources that are processed under what are for our brand typically demanding conditions. Our products promote well-being. They literally do good.