Lowa

Established in the heart of Oberbayern, Jetzendorf, in 1923, Lowa Sportschuhe GmbH (known as LOWA) is a trusted German manufacturer of hiking and mountaineering boots. The company was founded by Lorenz Wagner, a shoemaker's son who took over his family's business and launched Lowa, cleverly named after his initials (Lo renz Wa gner). Over the years, Lowa has been firmly rooted in its birthplace, becoming synonymous with quality footwear loved by outdoor enthusiasts​​.

The company's journey was not without its challenges, but it managed to pivot and adapt. After Lorenz Wagner's death, the former apprentice and son-in-law, Sepp Lederer, took over in 1953 and successfully steered Lowa towards becoming a renowned ski boot manufacturer in the 70s and 80s​​. In 1993, facing financial difficulties and succession issues, 90% of the company's shares were sold to the Italian Tecnica Group, which also owns other significant brands like Nordica, Blizzard, Moon Boot, and Rollerblade​​.

The leadership torch was passed to Werner Riethmann in 1992, previously affiliated with the Swiss shoe company Raichle. He became a co-owner in 1993 and currently owns 20% of Lowa, with the Tecnica Group holding the remaining 80% stake​​. Under Riethmann's leadership, Lowa has continued to grow and innovate, reaching a milestone of selling over two million pairs of shoes in 2010.

Lowa's research and development hub is nestled in Giavera del Montello, Italy, while most of the production takes place in Jetzendorf, Slovakia, and, until 2010, also in Giavera del Montello. In addition to long-standing distribution partnerships in Austria and the Netherlands, Lowa maintains its own distribution subsidiaries in the USA and Switzerland, reinforcing its global reach​.

Strengthening its commitment to outdoor enthusiasts, Lowa entered into a joint venture with Schöffel, a manufacturer of outdoor clothing, in 2003. The Schöffel-Lowa Sportartikel GmbH & Co. KG operates 33 stores, primarily run by franchise partners, across Germany, Austria, and Italy​. In 2019, Lowa expanded further by acquiring the sports shoe manufacturer Riko Sport, which employs about 2,000 people in Italy and Slovakia​​.

Lowa's reputation for excellence extends beyond civilian wear, as it's one of the suppliers for the new combat boots for the German Armed Forces​​. Despite a dip in sales due to the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, Lowa bounced back in 2021, reaching a revenue of 229 million euros​​.

Lowa remains a beloved brand for outdoor enthusiasts, known for its craftsmanship, innovation, and resilience. It has a rich history and a promising future, continuing to create high-quality footwear for those who love to explore the great outdoors.