Berkemann
Berkemann GmbH & Co. KG, founded 1885 in Zeulenroda, Germany, is a privately held manufacturer of comfort and orthopaedic footwear serving consumers with everyday foot-health needs, patients with conditions such as Hallux Valgus, rheumatism, and diabetes, and professional buyers, via a dual B2B specialist retailer network and D2C online shop.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1885
- HeadquartersZeulenroda, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Berkemann does
Berkemann GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German comfort footwear manufacturer founded in 1885 and headquartered in Zeulenroda, Thuringia. The company designs footwear in Germany and manufactures in Europe, employing 251–500 staff across its product, operations, and distribution functions. Its offering spans eight branded sub-lines — Berkina, Stretch, Berkoflex, 3D Airknit, Filz, Washable, Originals, and Work — plus accessories such as exchangeable footbeds (Wechselfußbetten) and orthopaedic aids (Spreizfuß-Bandage). Core proprietary technologies include the Berkemann Original 5-Phasen-Fußbett (five-phase footbed with shell-shaped heel cup) and the 3D AIRKNIT knit upper using high-tech polyamide filaments. It also operates the Heinrich Berkemann sub-brand for traditional wooden clogs.
The business operates a dual-channel go-to-market: a B2B eShop (eshop.berkemann.com) serves a network of approximately 255 specialist retailers (Fachhändler) across Germany and regional Europe, while a B2C online shop (shop.berkemann.com) is operated by affiliated entity MARC Shoes & Fashion GmbH at the same Zeulenroda address, handling direct-to-consumer sales, fulfillment, and customer service. Pricing on main comfort sneakers ranges from €112 to €175 per pair, with installment payment options of 2–12 monthly installments and free domestic shipping via DPD/DHL. Consumer segments include adults seeking everyday comfort footwear with preventive foot-health benefits, patients with orthopaedic conditions (Hallux Valgus, hammertoes, diabetes-related issues, rheumatism), and professional buyers in healthcare, hospitality, and service industries. Marketing is built around foot-health education content, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest), email newsletters offering a 10% welcome discount, and seasonal collection campaigns.
The company is structured as a German limited partnership under private ownership with no disclosed institutional investors, no fundraising activity, no M&A history, and no public listing. Product launches follow a biannual cadence (Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer) with new model introductions; current activity includes the Spring/Summer 2026 collection. There is no disclosed use of artificial intelligence, no API exposure, and no proprietary software platform beyond standard e-commerce tooling. Scale commentary emphasizes 140+ years of brand heritage, Hungarian craftspeople, a 4.7-of-237 customer rating, and European-manufactured sourcing under stated social and environmental standards.
Berkemann firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Berkemann
- Legal name
- Berkemann GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://berkemann.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1885
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Berkemann GmbH & Co. KG, founded 1885 in Zeulenroda, Germany, is a privately held manufacturer of comfort and orthopaedic footwear serving consumers with everyday foot-health needs, patients with conditions such as Hallux Valgus, rheumatism, and diabetes, and professional buyers, via a dual B2B specialist retailer network and D2C online shop.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Berkemann industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Comfort Footwear
- NAICS
- Footwear Manufacturing (3162), Shoe Retailers (45821), Footwear Merchant Wholesalers (424340)
- SIC
- Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear (CRAAACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty & Orthopedic Footwear Manufacturing (Medical/Diabetic/Custom) (IMAOAIAI), Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear Retail (CRAAADAG), Footwear Components & Materials (Uppers, Soles, Laces, Insoles) (CRAAACAK)
Keywords
Where Berkemann is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zeulenroda
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Berkemann business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales (B2C): Direct-to-consumer sales of comfort shoes and accessories through the online shop (shop.berkemann.com), including sneakers, sandals, clogs, slippers, and professional/work shoes for men and women. Prices range from approximately €112 to €175 for main sneaker models.
- B2B Wholesale: Wholesale distribution to specialist retailers (Fachhändler) through the dedicated B2B eShop (eshop.berkemann.com/bkb2b/). Retailers can place orders directly through the B2B portal.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pinar Sneaker - ComfortKnit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lexi Sneaker - ComfortKnit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pinar Sneaker Bundle - ECO-Cotton |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Alenia Sneaker - ComfortKnit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Columbia/Marbella Wechselfußbett |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kirana Sneaker - ComfortKnit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Berkemann product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Berkemann manufactures and sells comfort footwear for men and women, including sneakers, sandals, clogs, slippers, and professional work shoes, built around proprietary technologies such as the Berkemann Original 5-Phasen-Fußbett and 3D AIRKNIT knit uppers. The company sells through its own B2C online shop as well as a B2B wholesale channel to specialist shoe retailers across Germany and Europe, with products designed in Germany and handcrafted in Europe.
Product overview
Berkemann is a German comfort shoe company founded in 1885, offering a comprehensive portfolio of health-focused footwear and foot comfort products. The main Berkemann brand encompasses multiple product lines: Berkina (5-phase footbed shoes), Stretch (pressure-relieving stretch material), Berkoflex (washable footbed models), 3D Airknit (innovative knit technology), Filz (felt slippers), Washable (washable leather shoes), Originals (wooden sole sandals), and Work (professional occupational shoes). Individual models include Pinar, Alenia, Kirana, and Lexi sneakers, alongside Mila, Andrea, Heliane, Susanna, Markus, Max, Larena, Donata, Teresa, and Mirko across various categories. The product ecosystem is supported by exchangeable footbeds (Wechselfußbetten), orthopaedic aids like the Spreizfuß-Bandage, and accessories. The company also operates a separate sub-brand, Heinrich Berkemann, for traditional wooden clogs. Foot health solutions address Hallux Valgus, hammer/claw toes, splay foot, fallen arches, corns, blisters, calluses, rheumatism, diabetes, and prophylaxis.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Berkemann Original 5-Phasen-Fußbett: Proprietary five-phase insole technology that supports natural foot anatomy and gait pattern.
- Berkemann ComfortKnit / 3D Airknit
- Berkemann Stretch
- Berkemann Originals
- Berkemann Work
- Berkemann Washable
- Berkemann Berkina
- Berkemann Berkoflex
- Berkemann Filz
- Berkemann 3D Airknit
- Heinrich Berkemann
Products and services
- Berkemann Berkina Premium women's comfort shoes featuring the Berkemann Original 5-Phase footbed with anatomically shaped heel cup, multiple adjustment options, and high-quality genuine leather. Targeted at women seeking foot-health-focused everyday footwear.
- Berkemann Stretch Comfort shoes with pressure-relieving stretch inserts and exchangeable footbeds, targeted at people with sensitive feet, Hallux Valgus, rheumatism, or mild diabetes.
- Berkemann Berkoflex Comfort shoes featuring washable exchangeable footbeds ideal for individual orthopaedic insoles and a dynamic rolling sole for light stepping. Targeted at orthopaedic-insole users.
- Berkemann 3D Airknit
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% of feet are born healthy - Berkemann helps maintain foot health throughout life
Companies that use Berkemann
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Berkemann technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Berkemann partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MARC Shoes & Fashion GmbHcoreMARC Shoes & Fashion GmbH operates the Berkemann online shop (shop.berkemann.com). This company handles B2C e-commerce operations, fulfillment, and customer service for Berkemann's online sales channel.
- Novalnet AGminorNovalnet AG provides payment processing services for the Berkemann online shop, handling purchase on account, credit card payments, and other transaction methods.
- SVEA GmbH (IP InfinitePay)minorSVEA GmbH (operating as IP InfinitePay) handles payment processing for purchase on account and direct debit payment methods for the online shop.
- PayPalminorPayPal is offered as a payment method for online purchases through the Berkemann shop.
- DPDminorDPD is the primary shipping carrier for domestic German deliveries from the online shop.
- DHLminorDHL is used as a shipping method for deliveries from the online shop.
- BequemschuhsymposiumminorBerkemann participates in the Bequemschuhsymposium (Comfort Shoe Symposium), a biannual industry event that serves as the meeting point for the comfort footwear industry.
- Intersoft consulting services AGminorIntersoft consulting services AG provides external data protection officer services for Berkemann as required by GDPR.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Berkemann competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Birkenstock: Global German comfort footwear brand with proprietary footbed technology, serving similar medical and comfort use cases as Berkemann. Birkenstock is the dominant direct peer in the orthopedic/comfort footwear category and shares the German manufacturing heritage and foot health positioning.
- Rieker: European comfort and casual footwear manufacturer with strong presence in German-speaking markets. Rieker competes across similar price points and channels (specialty retailers, online) with comparable lightweight comfort technology positioning.
- Hassia: German comfort footwear manufacturer with comparable orthopedic and wellness positioning. Hassia competes in similar German specialty retail channels with comfort-focused product lines addressing foot health concerns.
- Mephisto: French-German premium comfort footwear brand emphasizing handcrafted construction and foot health. Mephisto overlaps with Berkemann on therapeutic positioning, removable footbed technology, and European specialist retail distribution.
- Finn Comfort: German comfort and orthopedic footwear brand with removable footbed systems addressing similar medical conditions. Finn Comfort serves an overlapping customer base to Berkemann including diabetes, Hallux Valgus, and arthritis patients.
- Gabor: German comfort footwear manufacturer serving women and men with similar price points and retail channels. Gabor competes directly with Berkemann in the European comfort footwear segment, including specialty retailer distribution and orthotic-friendly designs.
- Caprice: German comfort footwear brand offering lightweight and orthotic-friendly designs through similar European retail channels. Caprice competes in the comfort category with comparable price points and customer demographics to Berkemann.
- Ara Shoes: German comfort footwear brand specializing in women's comfort shoes with similar removable footbed and orthopedic-friendly features. Ara addresses overlapping use cases (Hallux Valgus, sensitive feet) through comparable German specialist retail channels.
- Josef Seibel: German comfort footwear brand with comparable European craftsmanship heritage and specialist retail distribution. Josef Seibel targets similar mid-market comfort and walking segments as Berkemann with overlapping product positioning.
- Waldläufer: German comfort footwear brand focused on walking shoes and orthopedic-friendly designs. Waldläufer shares Berkemann's specialist retail (Fachhändler) distribution model and therapeutic footwear positioning in the German market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Berkemann social profiles
Digital presenceBerkemann financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Berkemann leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Berkemann funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Berkemann M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Berkemann
What does Berkemann do?
Berkemann manufactures and sells comfort footwear for men and women, including sneakers, sandals, clogs, slippers, and professional work shoes, built around proprietary technologies such as the Berkemann Original 5-Phasen-Fußbett and 3D AIRKNIT knit uppers. The company sells through its own B2C online shop as well as a B2B wholesale channel to specialist shoe retailers across Germany and Europe, with products designed in Germany and handcrafted in Europe.
Is Berkemann a public or private company?
Berkemann is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Berkemann founded?
Berkemann was founded in 1885. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Berkemann based?
Berkemann is headquartered in Zeulenroda, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Berkemann make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales (B2C) is the primary driver. The others are B2B Wholesale.
Who are Berkemann's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Birkenstock, Rieker, Hassia, Mephisto, Finn Comfort, Gabor, Caprice, Ara Shoes, Josef Seibel and Waldläufer.
Does Berkemann have an API?
No public API is recorded for Berkemann.
What industry is Berkemann in?
Berkemann's product category is Comfort Footwear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAACAG, Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear, with a secondary code of IMAOAIAI, Specialty & Orthopedic Footwear Manufacturing (Medical/Diabetic/Custom). Its NAICS code is 3162 and its SIC code is 3140.