Birkenstock

In 1774, records list Johann Adam Birkenstock as a cobbler in Langen-Bergheim, Germany. Konrad Birkenstock began producing flexible footbed insoles in 1896. In 1902, Konrad developed the first contoured arch support for footwear. Beginning in 1925, products such as the "blue footbed" were produced at a new facility in Friedberg, Germany.

Carl Birkenstock initiated training courses on foot health in 1932, and the Carl Birkenstock System was later endorsed by physicians and podiatrists. In 1964, Karl Birkenstock introduced the Madrid model, which used a deep and flexible footbed. By 1966, Birkenstock sandals entered the United States market.

Starting in 1988, the company adopted the use of environmentally friendly adhesives. In 1990, updates to production methods reduced energy consumption by more than 90 percent. Production of footbeds expanded again in 2009, when a new facility opened in Görlitz, Germany.

Birkenstock was restructured in 2013, forming the Birkenstock Group from 38 separate companies. In 2021, investment firm L Catterton, together with Financière Agache, acquired a majority stake. The company invested €100 million in 2023 to build a new factory in Pasewalk, Germany.

Birkenstock employs a vertically integrated manufacturing process. The company produces footbeds in Germany and assembles more than 95 percent of its products in the country. The company sources more than 90 percent of its materials and components from European suppliers.

The Görlitz facility is the company's largest site. Staff at this site process about 2,700 kilograms of cork and 12,000 liters of latex per day, yielding up to 80,000 pairs of footbeds. In Bernstadt, workers manufacture over 100,000 pairs of uppers and more than 30,000 footbed linings each workday. Since 2020, the Bernstadt site has housed a chemical laboratory for quality testing.

Birkenstock footbeds use a multi-layer construction. Layers consist of a shock-absorbent sole, jute fibers, a firm cork footbed, a second layer of jute, and a suede lining.

The company uses materials such as full-grain leather, oiled leather, and nubuck leather, along with synthetic options like Birko-Flor. Synthetic materials are designed to be skin-friendly and durable. Natural cork for the footbeds is harvested from cork oak trees every seven to nine years. Natural latex, obtained from rubber trees, serves as a binding agent, and jute fibers add structure. The manufacturing process uses water-based, solvent-free adhesives.

Birkenstock produces a variety of footbed-based products. Signature designs include the Madrid, Arizona, Boston, Gizeh, and Mayari sandals. The company maintains an archive of more than 700 silhouettes and regularly introduces new styles and materials.

The EVA line, launched in 2015, features sandals made from ethylene-vinyl acetate for lightweight and waterproof footwear. The company has collaborated with brands such as Dior, Valentino, and Manolo Blahnik to produce limited-edition models.

Birkenstock also manufactures sleep systems and creates natural cosmetics. These offerings are produced at company facilities in Germany.