Press Release: Thirty Years Of Standing Up For South Africa’s Workforce

As they approach 10 million pairs, Lemaitre celebrates 30 years of Maxeco by asking the question – is this South Africa’s most beautiful shoe?

For 30 years, Maxeco has helped build a nation with the world's toughest workforce. Across construction sites, mines, farms and factories, almost 10 million pairs have helped realise the dream of a stronger South Africa by protecting the millions of workers who built it. Now that’s a beautiful thing!

Lemaitre and Maxeco’s stories began with a series of firsts and a fair degree of risk taking. In the late 80s Bagshaw footwear purchased an 18-station direct injection molding machine, capable of injecting dual density PU, at an auction in Babelegi.

Through market research and various consultations, it was agreed to extend their footwear offering from largely military styles into safety footwear by introducing the first ever direct injection dual density PU safety footwear style to be made locally. At the time the safety footwear market utilised single density PU styles; the benefit of dual density PU allows for a denser, harder outer sole for durability and a less dense, softer midsole for comfort and cushioning.

A licensing agreement was struck between Bagshaw and Lemaitre Safety France, which allowed Bagshaw to tap into global expertise while introducing a safety footwear style designed for the South African market. And hence the Lemaitre Maxeco was introduced towards the end of 1990 – the first ever locally produced direct injection dual density PU sole on a safety footwear style. From such humble beginnings the Maxeco has since become the number one sold safety footwear style in the history of our country. It ushered in the era of dual density safety footwear, and is still the most popular style of sole in the safety footwear industry today. That’s no small feat.

Lemaitre’s new campaign celebrates the widespread effect of 30 years and millions of pairs of Maxeco serving South Africans. It’s been there to help build the country and its people. It’s created jobs through local sourcing and manufacturing. It’s contributed to an inclusive economy for all our people. And it has been on the frontlines of the nation’s industries, protecting those who are strengthening South Africa. Has any boot done more to build our country?

From the hardworking people who make our safety footwear, to the hardworking people who wear it, Maxeco is a celebration of the kinship between workers. As a tried and trusted icon for so many industries, it has continually stepped up to deliver protection from one worker to another. Now that’s a beautiful thing!

For the full story visit www.lemaitre.co.za/maxeco

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