Safety footwear in

Germany
This CBI fact sheet aims to introduce safety footwear suppliers from
developing countries (DCs) to the German safety footwear market. It
is the largest market in the EU with a value of 212 million in 2009.
Imports from DCs totalled 33 million in the same year. The growing
number of employees in the market segments of hotels and
restaurants, construction and healthcare means that there are
opportunities for DC suppliers. Important market drivers in Germany
are innovation, fashion and comfort.
Market characteristics
Germany is the largest market for safety footwear in the EU, ahead of France and the
UK. Apparent demand in 2009 totalled 212 million, after an annual growth of 1.2% in
the period 2005-2009. In terms of volume, Germany is also the largest market for
safety footwear in the EU. Apparent demand in 2009 totalled 8.2 million pairs, after an
annual decline of 1.2%.
The number of employees in the construction industry is growing; the same is visible
in the hotels and restaurants and health and social care sectors, particularly the
number of women. DC suppliers can focus on those market segments with sector
specific products. Also refer to Table 1.
Germany is the largest producer of safety footwear in the EU, ahead of Italy and
Romania. Production in 2009 totalled 169 million, after an annual growth of 2.8% in
the period 2005-2009. In terms of volume, Germany is a large producer of safety
footwear in the EU. Production totalled 3.7 million pairs in 2009, after an annual
growth of 0.1%.
Production is often carried out by means of subcontracting. Favourite destinations for
German safety footwear producers in terms of subcontracting are Central and Eastern
European countries.
As a rough indication, the price per pair (based on apparent market value and volume)
in 2009 totalled 26, after an annual growth of 2.4% in the period 2005-2009. This
price level is relatively high compared to the price level in the EU on average. It is
fourth highest in the EU, behind Denmark and Sweden, but ahead of Austria and the
Czech Republic.
Safety footwear in Germany

As a result of a large drop in imports in 2009 (-25%), imports declined by 0.9% in the
period 2005-2009, which was contrary to the development in the EU on average.
Imports amounted to 115 million in 2009. Imports from DCs totalled 33 million in

Table 1 Employees in major safety footwear market segments in Germany, 2009, in thousands

total male female

2009 CAGR share CAGR share CAGR
Total 22,079 0.4% 56% 0.1% 44% 0.8%
Manufacturing 7,817 -0.5% 73% -0.1% 27% -1.5%
Wholesale and retail 5,142 -0.3% 46% -0.9% 54% 0.3%
Health and social care 4,527 2.6% 23% 2.6% 77% 2.6%
Construction 2,536 1.7% 87% 1.8% 13% 0.9%
Hotels, restaurants 1,466 3.6% 41% 2.8% 59% 4.1%
Agriculture 591 -7.6% 66% -7.9% 34% -6.9%
Source: Eurostat (2010)

2009. Contrary to total imports, DC imports kept growing, thus their share grew (from
21 to 29%).
China accounted for 51% of all imports coming from DCs. China was followed by
Croatia (24%), India (12%), Moldova (9.2%), Vietnam (2.3%), Brazil (0.7%) and Turkey
(0.4%). Of the main DC suppliers, Brazil experienced the highest growth (+87% per
year), followed by Vietnam (+72%), Indonesia (+21%), China (+15%), Croatia (+9.9%)
and Moldova (+9.3%).
Innovations are one of the key drivers on the Germany safety footwear market. Some
producers protect their new innovative technologies as trademarks such as: puncture
resistant midsole without steel (Atlas), aluminium protective toecap (Atlas), the
intelligent bumper (Runnex), electrostatic protection (Runnex), individual protection
fit system (Steitez Secura), climate technologies (Steitez Secura) and gel shock
absorbing system (Uvex). DC suppliers can improve their competitiveness by following
innovative trends.
For more information on buyer requirements, trends, trade structure and prices, please
refer to the modules concerning the safety footwear market in general.

Trade channels and finding trade partners

The intermediary channel is by far the most important trade channel for the DC supplier.
Other channels are German manufacturers and retail chains. The best way to approach
prospects is by attending trade fairs in Germany or leading EU trade fairs in other EU
countries. Furthermore, the Internet is a highly valuable source to find potential trading
partners. Relevant country-specific sources to find prospects are:
A + A - http://www.aplusa-online.de the leading EU trade fair in the personal
protective equipment (PPE) sector, annually in October, Dusseldorf.
AGKI - http://www.agki.de/en_home.html - association of importers for personal
protection, click on 'Members' to get a member list.
Arbeitsschutz Aktuell - http://www.arbeitsschutz-aktuell.de biennial PPE trade fair,
October, in even years, Leipzig.
E-trade Center - http://www.e-trade-center.com - portal for finding trading partners.
German Trade Portal - http://www.handelsvertreter.de - choose the English version
and click on Agents to search in the directory.
IVPS - http://www.ivps.de - PPE producers association, select language and select
'Members of the IVPS'.
Safety footwear in Germany

Sicherheit und Automation - http://www.messe-stuttgart.de/cms/index - annual PPE

trade fair, March, Stuttgart.
Wer liefert was? - http://www.wlw.de - database of German companies.

Interesting players
Germany hosts many interesting players. The profile of a possible trade partner is very
important, since each one is unique and has its own customers, market segments and
products. Decision factors can also vary between different companies. For example, new
innovative products that follow current market trends in order to improve their position on
the local market could be the decision factor for some importers. On the other hand, when
subcontracting for workwear manufacturers, the ability to work according to their
specifications can be the key decision factor. Examples of interesting players are:
Abeba - http://www.abeba.de - producer of safety footwear.
Asatex - http://www.asatex.de - producer of PPE.
Baak - http://www.baak.de - producer of safety footwear.
Baltes - http://www.baltes-schuh.de - producer of safety footwear, also for public
services.
EWS - http://www.ew-schuh.de - producer of safety footwear.
Fitzner - http://www.fitzner.de - distributor of PPE.
Helmut Feldtmann - http://www.feldtmann.de - distributor of PPE.
Kninger - http://www.koeninger.de - producer of PPE for public services.
Leipold & Dhle - http://leipold-doehle.com - distributor of PPE.
Leopard - http://www.leopard-schuhe.de - producer of safety footwear.
Meier & Nussbeck - http://www.mni-gmbh.de - distributor of PPE.
Otter - http://www.otter-schutz.de - producer of safety footwear.
Sperian Protection - http://www.sperian.com/DE - multinational producer of PPE.
Teamdress Stein - http://www.teamdress.de - distributor of PPE.
Trebes & Henning - http://www.trebeshenning.de - distributor of PPE.

Other useful sources

Deutsches Institut fr Normung (DIN) - http://www.din.de - national standards
institute.
Doing business in Germany - http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-
etiquette/germany-country-profile.html.
Eurostat - http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home -
official statistical office of the EU.
Preis roboter - http://www.preisroboter.de/ergebnis19815545.html - retail prices
portal.
Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland - http://www.destatis.de - national statistical
office.
Textil Mitteilungen (TM) - http://www.tm-fashion-portal.de - PPE trade magazine.
Textil Wirtschaft (TW) - http://www.twnetwork.de - PPE trade magazine.
Textile Network - http://www.meisenbach.de - PPE trade magazine.