Dansko

Last updated
Dansko
Type Private/Employee Owned [1]
IndustryFootwear
FoundersPeter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot
Headquarters
West Grove, Pennsylvania
,
United States
Area served
 North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand [2]
Key people
Mandy Cabot, CEO
Products Clogs and other footwear
Number of employees
185 [3]
Website dansko.com

Dansko is a comfort footwear company based in West Grove, Pennsylvania. [4] [5] [6] Dansko was founded in 1990 by husband and wife team, Peter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot. [5] Most well known for its clogs, Dansko also makes dress and casual shoes, sandals, and boots. [7] [6] [8]

Contents

History

On a trip to Denmark in the late 1980s, Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup came across clogs that worked well for their equestrian needs. [5] [9] The couple operated a farm where they worked as horse trainers and dressage instructors. [5] After bringing back clogs for their farm staff on several trips to Denmark, Cabot and Kjellerup decided to establish Dansko in 1990. [4] [5] Dansko has since added several shoe styles, including sandals, boots, heels, flats, and more types of clogs. [7] Inc. Magazine named Dansko in its list of 500 fastest-growing private companies in 1999 and 2000. [10] [11]

In 2012, 80% of Dansko's shoes were made in China; 20% in Italy. In early years, the company worked with a Danish partner and manufactured shoes in Europe (including Poland). Beginning in 1995, the company attempted to manufacture some product in the US but challenges related to lack of expertise in the labor force were deemed insurmountable and much manufacturing was shifted to China. [12] In an effort to increase operational efficiency, Dansko opened a new, larger facility with 46 Kiva robots to assist with processing order fulfillment needs in November 2012. [3] [6] [9] Also, at the new facility, distance walked by employees during a workday decreased.

The Dansko Foundation, a non-profit run by employees, was founded in 2003. [13] In 2005, Dansko launched its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which fosters employee ownership. [6] [7] The company was able to buy back all previously-issued stock and operate as a completely employee owned company by 2012. [6] [7] In 2007, Dansko started selling beyond North America, with vendors in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. [2] Dansko is sold at 2,500 retailers which include department stores, shoe stores, and online retailers. [14]

In July 2014, Dansko clogs were featured in a photo displaying the Normcore fashion trend alongside Dolce & Gabbana. [15] Today Style featured Dansko's Trista clog as one of the most comfy shoes. [16] In September 2014, Dansko was recognized on B Corp's "Best for Workers" list. [17]

Shoe features

Dansko clogs feature anatomically contoured arch support, a rocker-bottom sole and a slightly raised heel. [5] [18] These features are meant to offer increased shock absorbency, extra stability and ease leg and back muscles of wearers who stand or walk for many hours a day. [5] [9] Dansko shoes are particularly popular with occupational professionals who spend most of the day on their feet, like teachers, chefs, and those in the medical field, but are also worn by others for comfort and support. [5] Most Dansko shoes have the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and many styles are slip-resistant. [18] [19] [20] Footwear Plus Magazine has awarded Dansko with the "Plus Award" in the Women's Comfort category eight times. [21] [22]

Dansko Foundation

The Dansko Foundation is a nonprofit corporation founded in 2003 to benefit philanthropy, voluntarism, and grant making foundations. [13] [23] The Dansko Foundation is staffed by Dansko employees, who are given 20 hours of paid time off a year with which to volunteer. [7] [24] Dansko also makes a charitable donation equal to the employee's salary for hours an employee volunteered. [24] [25]

Certifications

The Delaware Valley Green Building Council and the American Sustainable Business Council have recognized Dansko's environmental efforts. [4] [7] Both Dansko's headquarters and distribution center are LEED certified buildings. [26] [27] Dansko has been a B-Corporation certified company since December 2007. [28] [29] The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has awarded many Dansko shoe styles its Seal of Acceptance, which recognizes products that promote quality foot health. [19] [30]

Related Research Articles

Shoe Durable type of footwear worn in most cultures

A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration and fashion. The design of shoes has varied enormously through time and from culture to culture, with form originally being tied to function. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is still vulnerable to environmental hazards such as sharp rocks and temperature extremes, which shoes protect against. Some shoes are worn as safety equipment, such as steel-toe boots which are required footwear at industrial worksites.

Footwear Garments worn on feet

Footwear refers to garments worn on the feet, which typically serves the purpose of protection against adversities of the environment such as wear from ground textures and temperature. Footwear in the manner of shoes therefore primarily serves the purpose to ease locomotion and prevent injuries. Footwear can also be used for fashion and adornment as well as to indicate the status or rank of the person within a social structure. Socks and other hosiery are typically worn additionally between the feet and other footwear for further comfort and relief. Cultures have different customs regarding footwear. These include not using any in some situations, usually bearing a symbolic meaning. This can however also be imposed on specific individuals to place them at a practical disadvantage against shod people, if they are excluded from having footwear available or are prohibited from using any. This usually takes place in situations of captivity, such as imprisonment or slavery, where the groups are among other things distinctly divided by whether or whether not footwear is being worn.

Converse (shoe company) American shoe company

Converse is an American shoe company that designs, distributes, and licenses sneakers, skating shoes, lifestyle brand footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1908, it has been a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. since 2003.

Clog Footwear made in part or completely of wood

Clogs are a type of footwear made in part or completely from wood. Used worldwide, their forms can vary by culture, but often remained unchanged for centuries within a culture.

Flip-flops Type of sandal

Flip-flops are a type of light sandal, typically worn as a form of casual footwear. They consist of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap known as a toe thong that passes between the first and second toes and around both sides of the foot or can be a hard base with a strap across all the toes.

Sneakers Sport and casual shoes

Sneakers are shoes primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise, but which are now also widely used for everyday casual wear.

Podiatry Medicine branch focusing on human lower extremities

Podiatry or podiatric medicine is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. The term podiatry came into use in the early 20th century in the United States and is now used worldwide, including in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Sandal Type of footwear with an open upper

Sandals are an open type of footwear, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps going over the instep and around the ankle. Sandals can also have a heel. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can sometimes be blurry, the common understanding is that a sandal leaves all or most of the foot exposed. People may choose to wear sandals for several reasons, among them comfort in warm weather, economy, and as a fashion choice.

Brooks Sports, Inc., also known as Brooks Running, is an American sports equipment company that designs and markets high-performance men's and women's sneakers, clothing, and accessories. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Brooks products are available in 60 countries worldwide. It is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

Birkenstock Group B.V. & Co. KG is a German shoe manufacturer known for its production of Birkenstocks, a German brand of sandals and other shoes notable for their contoured cork footbeds (soles) made with layers of suede and jute, which conform somewhat to the shape of their wearers' feet.

William Scholl

William M. Scholl was a pioneer of foot care and the founder of Dr. Scholl's, a brand of foot care products.

Crocs, Inc. is an American company based in Broomfield, Colorado that manufactures and markets the Crocs brand of foam clogs.

Rockport (company) Manufacturer of shoes

The Rockport Group is an American shoe manufacturer based in Newton, Massachusetts. Brands include Aravon, Dunham and Rockport, and the Rockport Cobb Hill Collection.

Susan Bennis/Warren Edwards was a successful New York-based shoe company founded in 1972 by Susan Bennis and Warren Edwards. It dissolved in 1997.

Rocky Brands

Rocky Brands, Inc., formerly known as Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc., designs, develops, manufactures and markets outdoor, work, western and military footwear, and other outdoor and work apparel and accessories. The company was founded in 1932 in Nelsonville, Ohio and still maintains its corporate headquarters there.

Flipsters

Flipsters (flɪp-stərs) are folding shoes, designed in Australia by L&M Designs. The footwear is produced in two styles: flip-flops and ballet flats. Flipsters footwear fold into a pouch which can be fit into a handbag and act as an alternative to standard shoes. The product is designed to "fit into a small handbag to give stiletto-shoed feet a break" The flip-flops are made with a 3-part rubber sole and fabric heel guard that allows the shoe to collapse flat, and while expanded provides support and structure similar to a standard flip flop. Flipsters come in a pouch designed to keep the product protected and clean. The product was designed with a triangle fold designed to mimic the motion of natural walking. Matt Schmidt, Editor at "My Life News", described the innovative flipflop as "stylish and comfy".

Barefoot Common term for the state of not wearing any footwear

Barefoot is the most common term for the state of not wearing any footwear.

Allbirds Footwear company

Allbirds, Inc. is a New Zealand-American company that sells footwear and apparel. Allbirds' first shoe was the Wool Runner, which is made from New Zealand superfine Merino wool. The company claims to keep its products as eco-friendly as possible and is a certified B Corporation. Allbirds uses a direct-to-consumer model, selling its products exclusively through its website and retail stores, in order to avoid the low margins commonly-associated with the wholesale selling model.

The Samuel Hubbard Shoe Company is an American footwear brand founded in 2013 by Bruce R. Katz. A co-founder of the Rockport Shoe Company, Katz founded Samuel Hubbard in Mill Valley, CA to continue his family’s legacy designing and marketing premium footwear.

References

  1. ↑ "Policy Points: Business Policies For a Sustainable Economy". Triple Pundit. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "The Little Clogs That Could". The Hunt Magazine. December 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Dansko Puts Robots to Work In Its Distribution Center". Multi Channel Merchant. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Dansko". Delaware Valley Green Building Council. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Discovering a Danish Shoe: How Dansko Brought Clogs to Work". Made To Measure. 15 August 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dansko: Distinctive distribution". Modern Materials Handling. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Dansko". American Sustainable Business Council. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Why Dansko's Mandy Cabot Turned Down A $100m Offer from Timberland and Sold to Her Employees Instead". Forbes .
  9. 1 2 3 "Dansko – Interesting Facts About The Popular Shoe Company". Aesf. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Dansko". Inc. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Some Serious Footwear". Notre Dame Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  12. ↑ "U.S.-based Dansko struggles to produce shoes at home | National and International Business | heraldextra.com". Archived from the original on 2017-02-11.
  13. 1 2 "Dansko Foundation". National Center for Charitable Statistics. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Dansko". Walking on a Cloud. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Banal Plus". W Magazine. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Kate (10 July 2014). "Cute shoes that won't kill your feet? We found 12 super-comfy styles". Today Style. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  17. ↑ Chhabra, Esha (16 September 2014). "B Corp's Best Places To Work For A Paycheck With A Higher Purpose". Forbes . Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Dansko Pro XP". About. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Dansko". American Podiatric Medical Association. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Why Dansko Clogs Are Pretty Much The Best Shoes In Existence". Huffington Post. 7 January 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Winners". Footwear Plus Magazine. 4 March 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  22. ↑ "The Plus Awards". Footwear Plus Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Dansko Shoes Review". Wandering Educators. 5 January 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  24. 1 2 "Dansko co-founder receives award". Chester County Press. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  25. ↑ "The Complete Sole". Shoes on Solano. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Dansko". U.S. Green Building Council. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Dansko 796 Warehouse". U.S. Green Building Council. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Emmy's Organics Shares Their Green Impact from Sri Lanka". International Business & News. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Dansko". B Corporation. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Seal of Acceptance/Approval Program". American Podiatric Medical Association. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
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