HKS® is a leading international company that develops and produces first-class safety footwear and is one of the pioneers of the safety shoe industry.
Heinrich Klumpen Söhne (HKS®) was founded in 1908 in Germany and is managed in the fourth generation by the brothers Dr. Christoph Klumpen and Dr. Fabian Klumpen together with their father Johannes Klumpen. Highest quality, innovative design and excellent comfort distinguish HKS®.
Under the slogan “Fit For Work”, they have succeeded in developing safety shoes for the highest demands on quality and comfort, putting (foot) health at the center and significantly improving the quality of life and work.
Interview with Dr. Fabian Klumpen, Managing Director at Heinrich Klumpen Söhne GmbH & Co. KG.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Fabian Klumpen: We develop and produce our safety shoes in Germany according to the highest social and ecological standards, directly in our factories in Nettetal and Brüggen. For over 100 years, we have been actively shaping the development and progress of personal protective equipment with our own innovative and functional safety footwear.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
F.K: We have recently launched our new models of the Challenger Power On (CP0 10, CPO 50, etc.) collection which was a great success for us. The safety shoes are characterized by their universal usability and excellent fit. Furthermore, we have launched our new models of our Barefoot-Feeling collection (BFS 50, BFS 70, BFS 70 BOA and BFS 80 BOA). Finally we have brought the safety shoes of our BOLD collection onto the market in a new design.
We will be launching our new Crossmax series in spring 2024. In summer our new ENERGY series will follow.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
F.K: We have the right type of shoe for every need (safety sandals, safety loafers, safety shoes, safety half boots, safety boots and many more). We offer technical features for every use (e.g.: metal-free, membrane, ESD, overcap, midfoot protection, hygiene areas, rubber sole, vegan, and much more)
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
F.K: The safety shoe market has the advantage that we are allowed to sell products whose use is mandatory. However, the safety footwear market is highly competitive and is constantly shaped by new regulations and requirements.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
F.K: End customers and corporations increasingly focus on quality when purchasing products. Companies want to offer their employees high-quality footwear in order to retain their employees in the long term and maintain their health. High-quality shoes, such as the safety shoes from HKS, support the (foot) health of employees and lead to greater acceptance. We select our materials carefully and test them thoroughly. In terms of quality, functionality and design, our safety shoes set the standard. Safety shoes made from high-quality materials also pay off economically.
In addition to the protection and health of people, the preservation of the environment is increasingly becoming a focus in the development and production of safety footwear, which is why we use as much natural and recycled material as possible in our HKS® safety shoes.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
F.K: HKS is characterized by the fact that we equip all our shoes with the most technically innovative and latest features. The high-quality workmanship and the quality of the materials make the shoes super comfortable and robust for every use. If I had to name a series, it would be the Barefoot Feeling series. We have designed our HKS® safety shoes with Barefoot-Feeling to simulate as closely as possible the natural feeling of walking. Compared to ordinary safety shoes, HKS® safety shoes with Barefoot-Feeling not only guarantee a maximum of safety with incomparable comfort, but also contribute to health and quality of life.
In terms of service, our offer to develop and produce shoes according to the individual needs of a company is very popular, i.e. we are prepared to develop and customize models that are tailored to your particular requirement profile.
We also offer the option of personalizing safety shoes for the respective company, i.e. we offer the possibility to put your company logo on our shoes to increase the team spirit and motivation of your employees.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2024?
F.K: We are confident that we will be able to impress our customers with our new products and continue to grow in the future.