ECCO is a company with a passion: Pleasant walking. ECCO shoes strive to produce the world's most comfortable and modern footwear for work and leisure. Footwear for work, leisure and festive occasions must be designed and constructed with uncompromising attention to the comfort of the users. What is smart and elegant is naturally important, but usability will always be ECCO's highest design priority.
The ECCO philosophy: A perfect fit - a simple idea.
History:
In 1960 Karl Toosbuy founded ECCO in rural Denmark.
In 1960 the Ecco Shoe was born. The company places an emphasis on wearability in every detail. By 1966 Ecco shoes are exported to Finland, Norway, and Sweeden. With the Ecco philosophy gaining notice throughout Europe, over 12,500 pairs of Ecco Shoes are shipped to Russia. During the Early 70's Ecco enjoys tremendous growth, and by 1974 Ecco's first step towards globalization occurs, as Ecco begins to produce uppers in Brazil.
The company continues to experience significant growth, and in 1978 the first best selling Ecco shoe is introduced. The shoe is called "Joke", and 8 million pairs are eventually sold. This success will continue with the introduction of other top selling Ecco shoes throughout the 1980's.
In 1981 Ecco's expansion continues, as production begins in Japan, and a landmark shoe is introduced called "Soft". By 1982 3 million pairs of Ecco Shoes are produced annually. In 1983 the first Ecco shop opens in Denmark. With expansion in Portuagal a success, Ecco continues to expand globally, opening offices in Sweeden. By 1986 5 million pairs of Ecco shoes are being produced.
Success and growth would continue into the 1990's. In 1990 a sales subsidiary would emerge in the United States. With the introduction of popular shoes such as "Shaker", and "Track" expansion continues into Indonesia, and Thailand. In 1994 the highly popular Ecco Sandal is introduced. In 1997 production begins in China and Poland. In 1999 The revolutionary "City Classic" dress shoes is introduced, combining elegance and comfort.
Today, Not counting the employees of more than 3,000 shops worldwide ECCO today employs approximately 9,000 people around the world producing 12 million pairs of shoes every year. That makes ECCO the 7th largest shoe brand in the world. It is still owned by the Toosbuy family. ECCO stays extremely focused on comfort, quality, design and a perfect fitting shoe in order to succeed in their goal of constantly developing pleasant walking.