Formthotics

What Formthotics does

Formthotics is a New Zealand-based medical device and consumer orthotics manufacturer, founded in Christchurch in 1981 and operated under parent Foot Science International Limited. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes custom thermoformable orthotic insoles built from its proprietary Formax foam — a plant-based, chemically cross-linked closed-cell polyethylene material — using a 3D milling process from foam block (as opposed to compression or injection moulding) that the company claims yields even density across each orthotic. Its product portfolio comprises a Medical Range of 23 Class 1 medical device-certified models available to registered clinicians, a Sports Range spanning cycling, skiing, snowsports, hiking, running, football/work footwear, and youth categories (each in Single minimalist and Dual cushioned variants), proprietary fitting equipment (the V20 Heating Machine capable of custom moulding an orthotic in three minutes, plus a ski/sealed-footwear Boot Extension), and an evidence-based clinical methodology, the Formthotics Medical System, which combines six clinical tests and six treatment steps.

Formthotics monetises through four revenue streams: one-time sales of medical and sports orthotic SKUs, hardware sales of fitting equipment, provider/reseller registration-based exclusive pricing for clinicians and sports retailers, and training and education (with a forthcoming Formthotics Academy platform for clinician certification). The Medical Range is sold exclusively to registered providers (podiatrists, physiotherapists, chiropractors) via direct order from Christchurch headquarters; the Sports Range flows through a global network of regional distributors and sports retailers in more than 50 countries, including 27+ named country-level partners. Fit occurs in-clinic or in-store using the V20 Heating Machine, producing a custom-fitted orthotic in roughly three minutes.

The business operates as a privately held, founder-influenced company under 50 employees, holding ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certifications, FernMark (NZ origin) licensing, Class 1 Medical Device status on the medical SKUs, and Climate Positive certification (via Toitū Envirocare) since 2022/2023. Distributors receive exclusive pricing, training, and marketing support; end customers include professional athletes, performing-arts professionals, and a 10-15 million cumulative-patient installed base across medical and sports use cases.

Name

Formthotics

Legal name

Foot Science International Limited

Website

https://formthotics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Formthotics is a New Zealand-based manufacturer of custom thermoformable orthotic insoles using proprietary Formax foam and 3D milling, distributing to medical clinicians and sports retailers across 50+ countries with a three-minute in-clinic fitting process.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Orthotic Insoles

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (3162)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthotics & Bracing (AFO/KAFO, Spinal, Soft Goods Supports) (HLAHAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Orthotics & Bracing (Spinal/Lower/Upper Extremity Orthoses) (HLAHAEAI), Footwear Components & Materials (Uppers, Soles, Laces, Insoles) (CRAAACAK), Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear (CRAAACAG)

Keywords

• Custom orthotic insoles
• Thermoformable foot orthotics
• Medical orthotic devices
• Sports performance insoles
• Plant-based EVA foam

Headquarters

HQ city

Christchurch

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Medical Orthotic Products: Sale of custom thermoformable orthotic insoles to medical professionals (podiatrists, physiotherapists, chiropractors) who provide them to patients. Medical range includes 23 models certified as Class 1 medical devices.
2. Sports Orthotic Products: Sale of sport-specific orthotics through sports retailers and resellers. Includes cycling, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, running, football, work/walking, and youth products.
3. Equipment Sales: Sale of V20 Heating Machine and Boot Extension for in-store custom moulding of orthotics.
4. Training and Education: Professional training materials and resources for clinicians including webinars, how-to videos, and expert-led training events. Formthotics Academy coming soon for exclusive training modules and certifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Formthotics designs, manufactures and distributes custom thermoformable orthotic insoles built from proprietary Formax plant-based closed-cell polyethylene foam. Products are 3D-milled (not compressed or injection-moulded) and heat-moulded to the patient's foot in about three minutes using a purpose-built V20 Heating Machine. The company sells a 23-model Medical Range exclusively to registered healthcare providers (podiatrists, physiotherapists, chiropractors) and a sports/wellness Range through authorized sports retailers and resellers worldwide.

Product overview

Formthotics is a global leader in custom thermoformable orthotic insoles, offering two primary product lines: the Medical Range (with 23 clinically-proven models) for healthcare professionals, and the Sports Range for athletes and active individuals. Both ranges use proprietary Formax™ foam technology—a plant-based, heat-mouldable closed-cell polyethylene material that can be customised in just 3 minutes using the V20 Heating Machine for a perfect fit to each individual's foot and footwear. The product portfolio spans cycling, skiing, snow sports, field sports (football, hockey, rugby), hiking, running, work/wear safety, and youth categories, with each category offering Single (minimalist) and Dual (extra cushioning) density variants. Supporting equipment includes the V20 Heating Machine and Boot Extension for sealed footwear. The Medical System provides clinicians with a structured 6 Tests and 6 Steps methodology for assessment and customisation, backed by over 40 years of foot science research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Formthotics Medical: Clinically proven medical orthotic solutions for podiatrists, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Formthotics Sport
• Formthotics Youth
• Workfit

Products and services

• Formthotics Medical Range A clinically-proven line of custom thermoformable medical orthotics comprising 23 models tailored to different shoe types and foot conditions (plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, flat feet, knee pain, diabetic foot issues, etc.). Available only to registered medical providers and certified as Class 1 medical devices.
• Formthotics Medical System A structured patient assessment and management framework for clinicians that combines 6 objective clinical tests with 6 progressive steps for prescription, modification and ongoing patient care, providing a systematic approach to prescribing Formthotics medical orthotics.
• Formthotics Sport Cycle Single

Quantifiable outcome

• Heat moulding process takes only 3 minutes, enabling one-visit custom fitting solution
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered regional, minor and core.

• Italomed Productos SrlregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Argentina located at Ricardo Gutierrez 1226, B1636FXH Olivos, Province of Buenos Aires. Contact: +54 11 4897-1048/ 4711-0958, [email protected]
• Briggate Medical CompanyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Australia located at 23-25 Lakewood Blvd, Braeside Vic 3195. Contact: (03) 8586 7800, [email protected]
• Riegler Sport and Medical e.UregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Austria and Switzerland at Neualmerstrasse 33, 5400 Hallein. Contact: +43 (0)650 680 9331, [email protected]
• IMPEC Importacao E ExportacaoregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Brazil at Avenida Magistrado Renato Salles de Abreu, 1232 Prolongamento Jardim Aeroporto I - Franca - SP CEP: 14404-090. Contact: [email protected], (16) 3713-7444
• Dinamic Comfort Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Bulgaria at 6 Konstantin Irechek str. Ruse 7000. Contact: +359 884 149 182, [email protected]
• Ortho Active Appliances LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Canada at #103-250 Schoolhouse St, Coquitlam, BC, V3K-6V7. Contact: 604-520-3414, [email protected]
• Health Action EEregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Cyprus and Greece at Karaoli Dimtriou 105, 18345 Moschato, Greece. Contact: 31 2104829303, [email protected]
• G.P.S. Ofa s.r.o.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Czech Republic and Slovakia at Fügnerova 1244 252 28, Černošice. Contact: +420 251 642 165, [email protected]
• Sports PharmaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Denmark and Finland at Niels Bohrs Vej 7, 7100 Vejle, Denmark. Contact: +45 7584 0533, [email protected]
• ME&Friends AGregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Germany at Rudolf-Diesel-Ring 11, 83607 Holzkirchen. Contact: 49 (0)8024 60898-17, [email protected]
• Douglas Horne Podiatry ServicesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Hong Kong at Suite F, 24th Floor Greenmont Court Discovery Bay Lantau. Contact: +852 9387 9019, [email protected]
• ACUS btregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Hungary at 1114, Budapest Bocskai út 20. Contact: +36 1 209 4146, [email protected]
• Abiilty Group srlregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Italy at Via Torricelli 17, 31021 Mogliano Veneto, Treviso. Contact: 39 0415 906636, [email protected]
• Foot Medical LLCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Japan at 3-1100-12-M4914 Shinmaruko Higashi, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan 211-0004. Contact: +81 902 762 1895, [email protected]
• SpaMedica LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Montenegro at Ul. 8 mart 74 81000 Podgorica. Contact: +38267662198, [email protected]
• DT SplintregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Poland at Centrum Medyczne Dynasplint Ul. Starowiejska 5 61-664 Poznan. Contact: 48 61821 6539, [email protected]
• Speed Car S.R.L.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Romania at Tg. Jiu, str. Alexandru Vlahuta bl.3 sc.1 ap.30 CP 210163, jud. Gorj. Contact: 0040 722 326 504, [email protected]
• L2S Sports & Health Marketing Pte LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Singapore at 302 Sims Avenue #05-18 Smart Suites Singapore 387516. Contact: +65 627 48641, [email protected]
• Medis (Pty) LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for South Africa at Unit 7 Svs Business Park Fourie Street Brackenfell Cape Town 7560. Contact: +27 21 982 8211, [email protected]
• SAYAGO PHYSIOTHERAPY & SPORTCARE, SLregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Spain at Plaza de Sevilla 17, Cantillana 41320, Seville. Contact: +34 600783360, [email protected]
• Maximus-PlusregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Ukraine at ул. Котика, 4, Львов, Львовская область, 79000. Contact: [email protected]
• Podium Medical LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for United Kingdom at 28 Cheetham Hill Road, Stalybridge, United Kingdom, SK15 1TU. Contact: 0161 714 7468, [email protected]
• Department of Conservation (DOC)minorOthersNew Zealand government department partnered with Formthotics for conservation efforts to protect endangered birds including Rock Wren and Kea on Resolution Island
• Leslie Hutchins Conservation FoundationminorOthersConservation foundation partnered with Formthotics to support efforts protecting endangered New Zealand native birds including Rock Wren and Kea
• Toitū EnvirocarecoreOthersEnvironmental certification organisation that certified Formthotics as Climate Positive in 2022. Formthotics offsets 125% of emissions through this partnership and sets science-based targets aligned with global climate goals

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bauerfeind: German medical device manufacturer with broad orthopedic bracing, compression, and insoles business. Comparable in clinical orthotic category and ISO medical device quality, but operates a much wider portfolio of orthopedic products.
• DonJoy (Enovis / DJO): Large orthopedic device company offering braces, supports, and foot/ankle orthotics sold through clinicians and hospitals. Comparable medical-device positioning with broader musculoskeletal product breadth.

Direct peers

• Spenco Medical: Specialty foot care and orthotic insole maker with both medical and sport ranges sold through healthcare providers and retailers. Comparable in dual medical/consumer channel strategy and product technology.
• Powerstep: Manufactures podiatrist-recommended orthotic insoles and arch supports sold through pharmacies, retailers, and clinicians. Directly comparable in medical-grade orthotic positioning and channel overlap.
• Superfeet Worldwide: Premium off-the-shelf and custom-mold insoles sold globally through retail and clinician channels. Most direct competitor to Formthotics in thermoformable custom-fit orthotics and sport/medical positioning.
• Currex (Zephyr International): Sport-specific dynamic insoles sold through running and cycling retailers. Directly comparable in sport-category SKU strategy and biomechanical profiling claims.
• Aetrex Worldwide: Orthopedic footwear, custom orthotics, and foot scanning technology. Comparable in medical-grade orthotic positioning, clinician channel, and emphasis on foot measurement/diagnostic assessment.
• Footbalance Medical: Finnish custom-molded foot orthotics maker with 3D scanning-based fitting sold through clinicians and sports retailers. Closely comparable in custom-fitting workflow and medical/sport dual channel.
• Sole Custom Footbeds: Custom-molded footbeds sold through retailers with heat-mouldable technology and sport-specific SKUs. Closely comparable to Formthotics Sport in fitting workflow and target athlete customer.

Others

• HOKA (Deckers Brands): Premium athletic footwear brand with built-in maximalist cushioning platforms that compete at the intersection of running footwear and orthotic-grade support. Tangentially related through end-user athletic injury prevention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Formthotics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/formthoticsnz
• Instagraminstagram.com/formthotics
• Xx.com/formthotics

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Formthotics