COMPANY PROFILE
Cheryl Taylor talks to Chris Gorrod, Managing Director of Rieker
Tell us about your company history. What’s the story behind the brand? Rieker has an enviable history and provenance. Founded in the Black Forest Region of Southern Germany in 1874, the brand originally produced shoes for affluent Italians. After five generations in footwear Rieker is still a family business with a passion for designing and creating shoes for men and women that are comfortable, stylish and durable. In the 70’s after nearly a century in the shoe business, Rieker moved to new custom built premises in Switzerland. Today the firm is flourishing and employs over 15,000 people worldwide, in a sophisticated network spanning the globe. There are 5 production units, 3 design hubs and 15 wholesale facilities. This enables Rieker to supply shoes and accessories to over 8,000 independent retailers worldwide, seamlessly.
Rieker timeline:
Henri Rieker starts exporting leather
Founding of Rieker and Seitz in Germany
Re-named Rieker and Company
Rieker HQ in Switzerland established
Rieker's state-of-the-art UK HQ established in Market Harborough
Chris Gorrod Managing Director
1845
1874
1905
Do you have a brand philosophy? The brand philosophy is really simple – to create shoes that exude style, comfort and longevity and that year on year provide an excellent sell- through for our customers. Rieker antistress footwear is unique and has prided itself on maintaining integrity and formulating its own construction methods, whilst responding quickly to evolving trends. These are some of the main reasons why Rieker remains one of the world’s leading footwear brands.
What sets your products apart from the rest? Every shoe Rieker manufactures incorporates a unique selling proposition. The construction of each shoe uses lightweight, flexible components to achieve their famous antistress features. The footwear is made and designed to a minimum weight with optimum shock absorption on varied terrain. There is also maximum flexibility to give wearers that barefoot feeling and the construction devotes space to areas where the foot expands whilst walking or running.
Where are you based and where do you manufacture? In the UK, Rieker is based in a custom built office and warehouse suite in Market Harborough on the Northamptonshire/Leicestershire border, making us ideally placed to cover the whole of the UK. Rieker shoes are manufactured globally in our 5 bespoke production sites.
How many people do you have working for you? Do you have a high turnover of staff? Within the UK Rieker employs 60+ people, over all its departments. Turnover of staff is remarkably low.
30 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • FEBRUARY 2012
1970’s
2008
How do you market your products? Rieker supports the trade press and trade awards which we deem to be highly important to our business. As a brand we also exhibit at the major footwear shows such as MODA. For the past two years Rieker has had a strong consumer advertising presence in both men’s and women’s press, enforcing the brands’ credentials to the consumer market. Rieker knows that to sell shoes its relationship with retailers is of paramount importance. Rieker offers efficient service and fast moving lines, achieved through great team work with its customers.
And, the next step? Any plans for the future, new lines, technologies etc? One of our objectives, going forward, is to continue to drive the brand, improving its exposure to the public as well as the trade.
How does the trade contact you? The trade can contact us through our Head Office in Market Harborough – 01858 414141. Potential trade customers will then be directed towards the relevant area manager for additional information.
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