company history

Over 160 years of expertise in the footwear trade – over 60 years of innovation in occupational safety

The roots of STEITZ SECURA date back to 1863, when Louis Steitz founded a shoe factory in Marnheim – the beginning of a long and proud tradition in the footwear trade. What began with the production of children’s shoes, street shoes and hiking boots has, over generations, evolved into an internationally active specialist in safety footwear.
For more than 60 years, STEITZ SECURA has focused on the development and production of high-quality safety and occupational footwear. As a fourth-generation family business, we combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, innovative materials and ergonomic research – delivering maximum protection, comfort and design. Whether it’s pioneering cushioning systems, customised fit solutions or multiple award-winning models: Steitz Secura stands for safety footwear made in Germany, with a clear mission – to protect and support people in their everyday working lives.

1863 Steitz Secura Luftbild
1863

Foundation of the Louis Steitz shoe factory in Marnheim. Production of children’s, street and hiking shoes begins.

1899/1900

Shoe deliveries expand to all parts of the German Empire.

1903

Louis Steitz’s sons, Louis Jr and Jakob Steitz, join the company. The company is renamed "Louis Steitz Söhne" (Louis Steitz & Sons). Shoe exports extend throughout Europe and into Africa.

1923

Louis Jr and Jakob Steitz part ways. Jakob founds the company ISTMA, while Louis Jr retains the original company name..

louis steitz logo schuhfabrik
1928

Jakob Huth, father of today’s senior manager Walter Huth, takes over the company. It is renamed "Louis Steitz + Co".

1946

As part of post-war reparations, the factory’s machinery is confiscated and dismantled. Lina Huth, Jakob’s wife, keeps the company alive through shoe repairs.

1947

Production resumes.

1954

Acquisition of the factory building in Kirchheimbolanden.

1963 Steitz Secura Spezialisierung Sicherheitsschuhe
1963

Start of specialisation in safety and occupational footwear. Continued production of sandals, winter boots, and men’s and women’s shoes – each with two seasonal collections per year.

1970

Occupational safety regulations gain importance; the DIN 4843 standard is introduced.

1975

Launch of the first PU system (polyurethane) for foamed soles. Enables PU midsoles to be combined with rubber outsoles.

1976 Steitz Secura
1976

Company renamed STEITZ SECURA, with a focus on safety footwear.

1981

Walter Huth becomes sole shareholder.

1982 Louis Steitz und co Buchhaltung Erwerb des heutigen Verwaltungsgebäudes.
1982

Acquisition of the current administrative headquarters.

1986

STEITZ SECURA safety footwear produced under licence for Adidas until 1996.

1988 Einführung des Vier-Weiten-Schuhsystems.
1988

Introduction of the multi-width system.

1989 Steitz Secura Pirmasens
1989

Commissioning of a new production facility in Pirmasens.

1990

Integration of the Mondopoint multi-width system into production.

1991 Zentrallager Kirchheimbolanden
1991

Commissioning of the new central warehouse in Kirchheimbolanden

1994 STEITZ SECURA VARIO®-Systems
1994

Development of weight-adapted heel cushioning as part of the Steitz Secura VARIO® system.

Steitz Secura AGR geprüft
1997

Recognition of the VARIO® system’s unique, weight-adapted heel cushioning by the organisation Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR).

1998

Introduction of the first TPU outsole (thermoplastic polyurethane).

2002 Steitz Secura Logo
2002

Launch of the current logo: a stylised sole with four widths represented as pillars.

2006

Development of the multi-zone cushioning system VARIO Vitality®.

2008

Michael Huth, current managing director, takes office.

2009

Expansion of the Kirchheimbolanden site through purchase of neighbouring property.

2011

Production capacity increased by 30%.

2012 Neue Direktbesohlungs-Anlage.
2012

Launch of the new direct soling system.

Universitätsklinikum Jena Logo
2013

A study conducted by the University Hospital Jena confirms: The SECURA VARIO® system relieves the musculoskeletal system, allowing the body to remain operational for longer.

2016 Einführung des VARIO REBOUND Systems.
2016

Introduction of the VARIO REBOUND system.

2017

Launch of STEITZ CARE.

2018 STEITZ SECURA gewinnt den German Brand Award
2018

STEITZ SECURA wins the German Brand Award. The model “Black Beast” wins the Red Dot Award.

2020 Das Schuhmodell CP 4360 ESD gewinnt den iF DESIGN AWARD
2020

The CP 4360 ESD model, flagship of the Competition series, wins the iF Design Award.

2021 NORA gewinnt GERMAN DESIGN AWARD.
2021

The Nora model wins the German Design Award.

2023 CP 4480 ESD gewinnt iF Design Award
2023

The CP 4480 ESD model from the COMPETITION series wins the iF Design Award. The Officer 51 model wins the German Design Award.

2024 ROBINIA gewinnt GERMAN DESIGN AWARD
2024

The Robinia model wins the German Design Award.