The HAIX team has grown faster than ever before. Today, a total of almost 1,700 employees ensure that heroes around the world are equipped with high-quality shoes "Made in Europe".
Tradition and high-tech - do they go together? Yes, they fit like a glove! Or like HAIX shoes on the feet of heroes. It all started very small. Over 70 years ago, company founder Xaver Haimerl added the X of his first name to the first three letters of his last name and began to manufacture hiking and work boots in the Bavarian town of Mainburg. In 1992, his son, Ewald Haimerl, developed the first leather firefighting boot. The rest is history ...
HAIX has developed from a local shoemaker to a global player. Today the company is one of the most innovative and successful high-tech shoe manufacturers in the world. The basis for this success: our employees! A handful has now grown to almost 1,700. They work for HAIX worldwide, most of them in production in Mala Subotica, Croatia. There, as well as at the main location in Mainburg, qualified specialists produce high-quality shoes "Made in Europe".
At the HAIX North America (HNA) corporate headquarters, established in 2005 in Lexington, KY, the workforce has experienced tremendous growth - from only a handful to over 45 employees. HNA has more than quadrupled its office and warehouse capabilities in order to provide the high level of customer service that HAIX is known for. HAIX has also invested in extensive research and development to meet the specific needs of the U.S. market. HAIX strives to produce the most advanced and innovative products in the market and is continually developing the product lines with newer and more advanced technology.
31 new trainees - record!
HAIX invests in the future. Every year, around 50 young people are trained as industrial and retail merchants, shoe manufacturers and sellers at the locations in Mainburg and Croatia. And because the world is changing - keyword "digitalization" - HAIX now offers training in the digital professions, specifically in the fields of IT and e-commerce. The company is setting the course for the future.
That pays off: In 2019, 31 new trainees finished their training and started their careers at HAIX - more than ever before! The growth in Croatia is also record-breaking: There, the team grew by 230 new employees in the extended shaft production last year. Growth is taking place at a steep rate. For comparison: In 2017, almost 1,400 employees were working at HAIX – while today there are nearly 1,700.
Strong commitment to Europe
At HAIX, “Made in Europe” does not just stand for high-quality footwear that is 100 percent made in Europe. These high standards also apply to the employees, who benefit from HAIX’s strong commitment to quality and service. A code of conduct set in practice for all stakeholders ensures a successful and partnership-based cooperation. "Made in Europe" does not just stand for the high-quality footwear HAIX produces, it also stands for equal opportunities in employment, exceptional training programs, and an appreciation for their workforce.
But if you ask the employees what they value about HAIX, the familial working atmosphere almost always comes up. And here the circle closes. The family company, HAIX, successfully combines tradition and regionality with high-tech and the wider world - for three generations now. Perhaps this is the secret recipe that is attracting more and more employees to HAIX.