Frost & Sullivan Honours Arbesko AB for Pioneering Novel Concepts and Technologies to Manufacture Protective Footwear
Arbesko is the only company in Sweden to have an in-house manufacturing facility for protective footwear
LONDON, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the protective footwear market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Arbesko AB with the 2014 Europe Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Leadership. Arbesko AB, a Swedish company, manufactures different types of shoes and boots with several additional specifications, depending on the application. Arbesko AB has secured a strong position in the European protective footwear market with its premium-quality products that employ cutting-edge technologies.
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Climate protection is an important criterion in the Nordic region, where temperatures range from +30 degrees Celsius in summer to -30 degrees Celsius in winter. Arbesko differentiates its products based on their temperature resistance, so users can choose their best fits. The company is especially known for its winter protective footwear. It caters to a variety of sectors including heavy industry, construction, service, light industry, and healthcare.
The company has leveraged its 170 years of experience in the market to introduce several innovative concepts such as the Energy Gel® Cushion in the heel of shoes. Arbesko discovered that the elasticity coefficient of the natural calcaneus heel cushion varies by more than 50 percent among individuals, and hence, incorporated elastic gel cushions in footwear. While a plastic heel cushion locks out the electricity caused by an impact, an elastic heel complements the natural calcaneal heel pad and helps restore the electricity to normal in case of a weak heel pad.
Arbesko also stands out for using the superior Super 8 leather, which is imported from Brazil. While traditional impregnated leather used in safety footwear withstands water for an hour, the Super 8 leather remains waterproof for a whole working shift of 8 hours.
"While inlay soles have become a common feature in most safety shoes, Arbesko was the first in Europe to introduce this concept of shoe inserts in 1992," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Aparna Balasubramanian. "Its significant improvements on this feature lead to the launch of the X-40 insert from Ortholite®, which offers high shock absorption and 40 percent better resilience than competing products."
The company has already released second generations of the Energy Gel® Cushion and the X-40 Ortholite® insert. Energy Gel® 2.0 consists of additional inner material positioned at the heel cushion to double the elasticity coefficient, while the upgraded X-40 Duo has an improved mix of polyurethane foam and rubber material, making the insert 70 percent more resilient.
"While most shoe manufacturers have resorted to simpler methods of shoemaking to remain price competitive, Arbesko continues to use a precision stability method called the STSY Stability System," noted Balasubramanian. "Footwear made based on this system provides many advantages such as easier climbing support, better heel grip, and lesser flexibility on the sides for better torsion."
Arbesko pioneered the concept of occupational footwear in Sweden and held a 98 percent market share in 1983. The company has managed to secure its market positioning over the years of increasing competition and ranks among the top three competitors in the Scandinavian protective footwear market. With increasing safety consciousness and an emphasis on ergonomics, the company is poised for further growth in the European market.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated uniqueness in developing and leveraging new technologies, which significantly impacts both the functionality and the customer value of the new products and applications. The award lauds the high R&D spend towards innovation, its relevance to the industry and the positive impact on brand perception.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
About Arbesko AB
Arbesko is a Swedish family business, with our own development and production of safety and occupational shoes for professional users. Our products are available through resellers across Sweden, as well as Europe. It was in 1952 that we decided to specialize in safety and occupational footwear, and they have been a trademark for quality, ergonomics and comfort ever since. We have a long term focus on how the feet affect the wellbeing of the rest of the body – and how important the shoes you work in are, to make sure you have energy left over for the rest of your daily life.
- No. of Employees: approx. 130 • Turnover: approx. 25 million euros
- Quality and environmental certification ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004
- Distribution Centre in Kumla, Sweden
- CE-approved products
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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
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