Leder und Schuh
Encyclopedia
The Leder & Schuh Group, one of the largest shoe companies in Europe
, employs over 3,500 people in more than 330 locations and gains total revenue of 475.9 million Euros. (2008)
The corporation
is not listed on the stock exchange
. According to its account Leder & Schuh is the market leader in Austria
and Slovenia
and number two in Hungary
and Slovakia
.
The main business areas are Corti, Dominici, Humanic
, Jello
and Shoe 4 You.
The Executive Board consists of Peter Horvath, Rainer Kundörfer, Heinzpeter Mandl and Gottfried Maresch as chairman of the board
.(2009)
and lays the foundation for today's holding company "Leder & Schuh International AG" with its headquarters still at the same premises. Soon "D.H. Pollak & Co" manages numerous factories and stores and produces 20,000 pairs per week, thus becoming the biggest producer of shoes in Central Europe. The company opens stores in Prague
, Budapest
, Zagreb
, Ljubljana
, Trieste
, Meran, and Temesvar and even exports its shoes to Africa
, America
, Australia
and India
. “D.H. Pollak & Co” are global players, which also manifests itself in the new name: "Goodyear Welt-Schuhfabrik — D.H. Pollak & Co" (“Goodyear World Shoe Factory — D.H. Pollak & Co”).
(Istanbul), Philippople (Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Sofia
and Berlin
. Due to the take-over of the American company "Humanic", the company changes its name again: In 1907, the “American Shoe House Humanic" opens its first two stores in Vienna
, on Kärntnerring 6, opposite the famous Hotel Bristol, and in Mariahilferstraße 92, opposite Hotel Palace.
The company takes off quickly and in 1930 the Humanic sales network already encompasses 60 branches again.
into Greater Germany imply dramatic difficulties and the end of expansion for the company. Finally World War II causes the total collapse. Due to its location near the central station of Graz the factory is almost completely destroyed by air strikes at the end of the war.
EFTA is the starting point for more intensive trade connections with Scandinavia
and Switzerland
; exports to Germany
, Norway
, the Benelux countries, the Far East, and the USSR bring continuous growth. Thus, more than 3,000 shoe stores throughout Europe are supplied with goods from the company-owned production and wholesale business. At the same time, new production sites are opened in Austria
(Deutschlandsberg, Radkersburg, Eibiswald, and Feldbach) and other European countries, such as Switzerland
and Spain
.
In 1990 Leder & Schuh AG — as we know it today — was founded. As a holding company, it takes over leadership and service functions as well as coordination of all activities at home and abroad.
, Leder & Schuh AG continues the internationalisation that was started in 1904. Finally, Humanic and its shoe stores manage to take over market leadership in Hungary
.
In 1992, Humanic enters the Czech Republic
with the opening of a store in Brno
.
1994 marks the birth of Shoe 4 You. The first store is opened in Germany
, it also marks our debut on this neighbouring market. In the same year, Leder & Schuh International AG withdraws from shoe production and wholesale activities, thus making an important decision regarding the reorientation of the company towards retail business.
In 2000 the company moves on to Slovenia
, where it opens Jello and Humanic stores.
and increases its international expansion.
In spring 2002 Humanic opens its first store in Regensburg
, Germany
, and, in the same year, the first two stores in Bratislava
, Slovakia
. In 2005 Humanic enters the Polish market. At the end of 2007 the strategic decision is taken to withdraw Top Schuh from the market.
and Switzerland
. In 2009 the first Humanic store launches in Croatia
.
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Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, employs over 3,500 people in more than 330 locations and gains total revenue of 475.9 million Euros. (2008)
The corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
is not listed on the stock exchange
Stock exchange
A stock exchange is an entity that provides services for stock brokers and traders to trade stocks, bonds, and other securities. Stock exchanges also provide facilities for issue and redemption of securities and other financial instruments, and capital events including the payment of income and...
. According to its account Leder & Schuh is the market leader in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and number two in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
.
The main business areas are Corti, Dominici, Humanic
Humanic
Humanic is a subsidiary of Leder und Schuh with its headquarters in Graz. In 1907, the “American Shoe House Humanic" opened its first two stores in Vienna, on Kärntnerring 6, opposite the famous Hotel Bristol, and in Mariahilferstraße 92, opposite Hotel Palace.Today Humanic is trading in shoes and...
, Jello
Jello
Jello may refer to:* Jello Shoecompany, an Austrian shoe retailer* Jell-O, a brand name for gelatin desserts* A genericized brand for gelatin desserts in general* Sphyraena jello the pickhandle barracuda-People:...
and Shoe 4 You.
The Executive Board consists of Peter Horvath, Rainer Kundörfer, Heinzpeter Mandl and Gottfried Maresch as chairman of the board
Chairman of the Board
The Chairman of the Board is a seat of office in an organization, especially of corporations.Chairman of the Board may also refer to:*Chairman of the Board , a 1998 film*Chairmen of the Board , a 1970s American soul music group...
.(2009)
1872
The history of Humanic begins with a shoe factory. In 1872 "D.H. Pollak & Co" settles in GrazGraz
The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
and lays the foundation for today's holding company "Leder & Schuh International AG" with its headquarters still at the same premises. Soon "D.H. Pollak & Co" manages numerous factories and stores and produces 20,000 pairs per week, thus becoming the biggest producer of shoes in Central Europe. The company opens stores in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
, Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, Meran, and Temesvar and even exports its shoes to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, America
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. “D.H. Pollak & Co” are global players, which also manifests itself in the new name: "Goodyear Welt-Schuhfabrik — D.H. Pollak & Co" (“Goodyear World Shoe Factory — D.H. Pollak & Co”).
1904
In 1904 shoe production and trade are further expanded, and stores are set up as far afield as ConstantinopleConstantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
(Istanbul), Philippople (Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. Due to the take-over of the American company "Humanic", the company changes its name again: In 1907, the “American Shoe House Humanic" opens its first two stores in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, on Kärntnerring 6, opposite the famous Hotel Bristol, and in Mariahilferstraße 92, opposite Hotel Palace.
1914-1918
Due to World War I the company loses almost its entire branch network, consisting of more than 100 branches. Despite the tense economic situation several shoe factories are acquired, amongst others the "Allgemeine Österreichische Schuh-Aktien-Gesellschaft".1920
Serious damages caused by World War I require a new start for the company. Meeting a similar fate as the Austro-Hungarian-Empire the organisation is broken up into several independent distribution and manufacturing companies. These companies, in turn, get lost in the economic and political post-war confusion. By founding the Austrian "Humanic Leder und Schuh AG, Vienna-Graz" a strong sign of life is sent out once again and all efforts are concentrated on a restart in a now "shrunk" Austria.The company takes off quickly and in 1930 the Humanic sales network already encompasses 60 branches again.
1938-1945
The consequences of the worldwide economic crisis and incorporation of AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
into Greater Germany imply dramatic difficulties and the end of expansion for the company. Finally World War II causes the total collapse. Due to its location near the central station of Graz the factory is almost completely destroyed by air strikes at the end of the war.
1950
The reconstruction after World War II is concentrated on the relatively small Austrian market and is finished by 1950. International cooperation with renowned companies like "Calzaturificio di Varese" or "Charles Jourdan" is launched accompanied by the reorganisation of Europe. This is when the foundation for the fashion leadership of Humanic is laid.1960-1970
The foundation of the European Free Trade AssociationEuropean Free Trade Association
The European Free Trade Association or EFTA is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates parallel to, and is linked to, the European Union . EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable to, or chose not to,...
EFTA is the starting point for more intensive trade connections with Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
; exports to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, the Benelux countries, the Far East, and the USSR bring continuous growth. Thus, more than 3,000 shoe stores throughout Europe are supplied with goods from the company-owned production and wholesale business. At the same time, new production sites are opened in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(Deutschlandsberg, Radkersburg, Eibiswald, and Feldbach) and other European countries, such as Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
1977-1990
Up until 1977, all trading activities are exclusively carried out under the brand name Humanic. From then on, however, the company starts to diversify its trading activities. 1977 First Top Schuh stores are opened. In 1988 the first Dominici store opened (designer labels). In 1989 Jello Schuhpark is founded (price aggressive concept for retail parks).In 1990 Leder & Schuh AG — as we know it today — was founded. As a holding company, it takes over leadership and service functions as well as coordination of all activities at home and abroad.
1991-2000
By acquiring the majority interest of the Hungarian commercial company SZIVÁRVÁNY Rt. with its headquarters in BudapestBudapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Leder & Schuh AG continues the internationalisation that was started in 1904. Finally, Humanic and its shoe stores manage to take over market leadership in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
.
In 1992, Humanic enters the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
with the opening of a store in Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
.
1994 marks the birth of Shoe 4 You. The first store is opened in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, it also marks our debut on this neighbouring market. In the same year, Leder & Schuh International AG withdraws from shoe production and wholesale activities, thus making an important decision regarding the reorientation of the company towards retail business.
In 2000 the company moves on to Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, where it opens Jello and Humanic stores.
2001-2007
Leder & Schuh International AG is able to strengthen its leading market position in AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and increases its international expansion.
In spring 2002 Humanic opens its first store in Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and, in the same year, the first two stores in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. In 2005 Humanic enters the Polish market. At the end of 2007 the strategic decision is taken to withdraw Top Schuh from the market.
Now
By opening the first stores in spring 2008 Humanic enters the market in RomaniaRomania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. In 2009 the first Humanic store launches in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
Literature
- Franz Mathis: Big Business in Österreich. Österreichische Großunternehmen in Kurzdarstellungen. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag, 1987, S. 156 ff.; ISBN 9783486537710.
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