History of Lupriflex from 1798 until today
Innovation from tradition
In Germany, our family business – the company L. Priebs GmbH & Co. KG – belongs to the manufacturers of safety footwear having a long tradition and great experience. It was founded in 1798.
We are deeply rooted in the Ruhr Area with its mining history. In the 1930s, we manufactured miner’s boots that can be seen today in the Ruhr Museum in Essen, Germany.
It was the first first safety boot against twist injuries called “anti-twist” that we developed in the 1980s.
Today, waterproof safety footwear and chainsaw boots are the heart of our work. We would like to produce them with the lowest emissions as possible, environmentally friendly and socially compatible.
2021
First sustainable
Lupriflex model
The first climate-friendly Lupriflex safety shoe is born: PETer, made from recycled plastic bottles. He wins the 1st prize at the German Award for Sustainability Projects 2021 and is one of the finalists of the German Sustainability Award Design 2022.
2018
Forest boots
rethought
The lowest forest boot is launched:
It is a safety and cut protection boot two in one.
2018
New position:
sustainability manager
We have a sustainability manager! Our employee Kilian Hornig is trained at the International Shoe Competence Center Pirmasens gGmbH i.L., Germany.
2012
Outdoor design
at LX Allround series
The first model series in a mountain sports-based design is developed:
LX Allround Aqua Low/Mid – to date, these Lupriflex safety shoes are among the most popular and best-selling models.2008
Carbon footprint calculated for the first time
The first study on the company’s carbon footprint and Lupriflex safety shoes is carried out.
Since then we have been working climate-neutrally and supporting climate protection projects to offset emissions; it is currently a forest protection project in Brazil.2004
Eco-Hunter
cut protection boots
The first mainstream cut protection boot – Eco-Hunter Basic – is sold.
It is developing into a pan-European bestseller.2001
Relocation of production
New design impulses
Production is relocated abroad due to a lack of production capacities. A collaboration with leading European shoe manufacturers from Italy begins. The design of the Lupriflex safety shoes is changing and becoming increasingly sporty.
2000
Markus Nelke becomes managing director
Markus Nelke takes over the management in the seventh generation. His professional basis: an apprenticeship as shoe maker at the ara shoes AG shoe factory in Lünen, Germany and a degree as state-certified shoe technician with focus on industrial engineering at the German College of Footwear Design and Technology in Pirmasens.
1997
New Lupriflex
company building
Inauguration of the new company building for warehouse and administration in Haltern am See, Germany.
1990
Robots
in production
The production in Haltern is equipped with state-of-the-art technology: a DESMA machine for direct soling as well as a roughing and release agent robot for the production of soles made of rubber and polyurethane. 600 to 800 pairs of safety shoes are produced by 60 employees every day. The steel industry, including Thyssen, is one of the most important customers besides the mining industry.
1988
First safety boot
with twist protection
The very first safety boot called “anti-twist” is developed. The model are boots for paragliding. Many injuries in the ankle area such as sprains, ligament or ankle injuries can be avoided by wearing these safety boots.
1985
New
dual management
Helene Priebs conducts the operative business of L. Priebs GmbH & Co. KG together with her brother-in-law Hermann Nelke (1930 – 2004). She heads production, he takes over sales.
The leather and uppers (tops) originate from Brazil and Colombia. The uppers are only partially sewn in Haltern, Germany, the import share is increasing.1971
Helene Priebs
runs the company
Helene Priebs (1926 – 2012), one of the three daughters of Ludwig Priebs, takes on entrepreneurial responsibility. She is a special personality of her time: in the early 1950s, she was one of only a few women to be trained as a shoe maker at the German College of Footwear Design and Technology in Pirmasens.
1965
The brand name
LUPRIFLEX is created
Ludwig Priebs creates the brand name LUPRIFLEX, which still exists today: It consists of the respective first letters of his first and last name and the word flexible. Namely, he developed the first safety shoes with a flexible sole.
1962
New production facility
Production moves from the city center to a new factory building near the train station.
1945
Ludwig Priebs KG
and mining
The company operates under the name of Ludwig Priebs KG. The company’s history is closely linked to the history of mining. The hard coal mines are one of the main customers of Lupriflex safety shoes. The safety shoe called “mining” is exhibited in the Ruhr Museum in Essen, Germany.
1930
The first generation
of working footwear
The family company Priebs produces warm felt boots for railway workers, comfortable “accident preventing shoes” for miners and professional shoes for workers.
1924
Ludwig Priebs takes over company management
Paul’s son Ludwig Priebs (1900 – 1974) takes over the company management. For the mining industry, shoes are made from fabric and later from leather.
1914-1918
Transition phase
The First World War brought everything to a standstill and the workers had to go to the front. After the war things are slowly moving forward. Lighter shoes made from camel hair are replacing felt shoes. The railroad company needs fewer felt boots as many conductors are superfluous along with the introduction of the air pressure brake.
1908
Large fire
destroys factory
A large fire destroys the felt factory. Work continues temporarily in the storage rooms of the company Still (coking plant). A new factory building is being built at the old location.
1890
Paul Priebs takes over the management
Joan Henrich’s grandson Louis Wiesmann is looking for skilled workers. Among them he also finds Paul Priebs from Bad Lausick, Saxony. In 1898 Paul Priebs (1874 – 1924) married Louis‘ daughter Maria Wiesmann and took over the management, the company is now called Louis Wiesmann Nachf. Paul Priebs. Many citizens work in the first mines, and hats for miners are also made.
1798
Joan Henrich Wiesmann is founding the company
Foundation: The hat maker Joan Henrich Wiesmann from Bocholt, Germany, buys a piece of land in Haltern, Germany. He makes hats and slippers out of felt. His son Josef Wiesmann continues the business, selling on the weekly markets in Münster and Bocholt, Germany.