The German outdoor footwear brand Lowa Sportschuhe and the Danish footwear brand Ecco are set to close their factories in Slovakia in the summer of 2025. The decisions raise questions about the future of the country’s footwear industry, which has been hampered in recent years by rising energy prices and declining demand in key markets.
Lowa said in a statement it will cease production at its Handlová plant in the Trenčín region of Slovakia on Aug. 31, citing a broader strategic realignment aimed at optimizing production capacities and expertise. The brand produces over 90 percent of its product in Europe. In addition to Slovakia, Lowa also operates manufacturing facilities at its headquarters in Jetzendorf, Germany, and in Italy.
The full version of this article was originally published by our sister publication The Outdoor Industry Compass.
