OrthoLite – which provides branded, high-performance, comfort footwear solutions – announced an expansion of its OrthoLite Europa (OEU) European hub.
OrthoLite’s increased commitment in Europe furthers the company’s global vertical integration strategy and investment in its owned and operated facilities. The company continues to bolster its manufacturing practices and consistencies throughout its manufacturing regions, which enables OrthoLite to assert near-total control over its supply chain and production.
“Our commitment to invest in our global manufacturing footprint brings agility and reliability for OrthoLite’s brand partners and our T1 factory partners,” said Richard Bevan, VP of global operations, OrthoLite. “Our factory in Spain is a crucial European hub for our EU-based partners. Our production demand continues to grow and we continue to build excellence in capacity, customer service, advancing technologies and unmatched responsiveness as a strategic supply partner.”
OEU’s expansion enhances capacity, innovation and local- for-local insole production solutions for OrthoLite’s European brand partners. Continued investments into the latest technology will support manufacturing innovation, infrastructure, capacity expansions and operational efficiencies. The factory will expand lean line production, add more automation and continually modernize the facility and tooling requirements.
OrthoLite brand partners can expect the highest levels of service and quality, supported by OrthoLite’s ongoing commitment to invest in its European production. A host of new technologies will support brand-ready customization and expand installed capacities within the EU to meet the growing demand for more technical designs and premium quality materials in footwear.
Since 2021, OrthoLite quadrupled capacity for EU footwear production in its facility in Almansa, Spain. The OEU facility provides greater production capacity as well as artisan craftsmanship and specialization in leather-based solutions for the EU-based partners that OrthoLite serves with its insoles. OrthoLite Europa is especially relevant for speed-to-market. From Spain, OrthoLite can deliver to any point in Europe within two to four days.
OrthoLite invested in the team in Almansa for the local talent and technical skill set in leather working, as well as the facility’s proximity to other countries working with leather in Europe. The OEU facility primarily serves “Made in the EU production” targeting the fashion, luxury, dress, work, outdoor, trail, hike, comfort casual and athletic footwear brands, with top quality insoles, leather and other technical insole products, including:
- Leather and textile lamination
- Heel cups, wedges and molded and die cut insoles
- Artisan leather insoles for premium fashion brands
- ESD applications and in-house testing utilizing the SATRA TM240-2001 test protocol
- OrthoLite O-Therm, an aerogel-infused, open-cell PU foam cold and heat block solution that can be applied not only as an insole but also a strobel layer or lining
- GRS and RCS certified products
- Investments in additional lean lines and localized foaming
OrthoLite serves over 550 global footwear brand partners.
