Me & Friends Ag

What Me & Friends Ag does

Me & Friends AG is a Holzkirchen, Germany-based private Aktiengesellschaft founded in 2001 that develops and markets functional health footwear under multiple proprietary brands, including CHUNG SHI, DUX/Duxfree, Sensomo, AuBioRiG, Heybrid, and the Oskron smartwatch line. The company's core technical asset is its proprietary DUFLEX thermoelastic material technology, produced via injection molding and extended in 2017 with a double-injection variant used in the DUX Future line; this material underpins claims around cushioning, joint relief, and biomechanical comfort, and has been validated by AGR seals of approval (2010, 2015) and ISPO and PlusX awards. End-user positioning targets professionals who stand for long periods (e.g., midwives, surgeons, teachers), people with foot, joint, or back conditions, and athletes such as skiers, with the latter reinforced through 2019 partnerships with the Bayerischer Skiverband and Deutscher Skiverband.

Name

Me & Friends Ag

Legal name

ME & Friends AG

Website

https://chung-shi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Me & Friends AG is a Holzkirchen-based developer and marketer of functional health footwear under brands such as CHUNG SHI and Duxfree, using proprietary DUFLEX thermoelastic material technology to serve orthopedic retailers, medical supply stores, pharmacies, and end consumers across 15+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Functional Health Footwear

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (3162), Shoe Retailers (45821)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140)

akta.pro primary industry

Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear (CRAAACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Orthopedic Footwear Manufacturing (Medical/Diabetic/Custom) (IMAOAIAI), Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Footwear (CRAAACAH)

Keywords

• Functional health footwear
• Ergonomic clog sandals
• Orthopedic comfort shoes
• Biomechanical walking shoes
• Thermoelastic shoe material

Headquarters

HQ city

Holzkirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - B2C: Direct consumer sales through B2C online shop (b2c.chung-shi-shop.com) and factory outlet store.
2. Product Sales - B2B/Wholesale: Wholesale distribution through specialized trade partners (orthopedic retailers, medical supply stores, pharmacies) in Germany, Austria, and international markets. B2B dealer shop available at b2b.chung-shi-shop.com.
3. International Distribution Partnerships: Distribution through international distribution partners including Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, USA. Also via Amazon marketplace.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ME & Friends AG designs, manufactures, and markets functional health footwear under in-house brands including CHUNG SHI, DUFLEX/DUX, Duxfree, Sensomo, and AuBioRiG. The company's products center on proprietary thermoelastic DUFLEX material technology used in ergonomic clogs, sandals, casual and business shoes, kids' footwear, and orthotic-compatible styles. Distribution combines B2B wholesale through orthopedic and medical specialty retailers in DACH with international distribution partners, plus B2C sales through own online shop, factory outlet, and Amazon marketplace.

Product overview

ME & Friends AG, based in Holzkirchen, Germany, is the quality leader in functional health shoes under the CHUNG SHI brand. The company offers a multi-brand portfolio centered on health and wellness footwear. The core DUFLEX/DUX line comprises ergonomic clogs and sandals described as 'like walking on clouds,' including variants for different needs: DUX Clog (original), DUX Bio (renewable materials), DUX Sensi (butter-soft for sensitive feet), DUX Future (extra stable with double-injection technology), DUX Premium (arch support), DUX Winter (thermal), DUX Ortho/Ortho Clog (orthotic-compatible), and DUX Kids. The Duxfree line covers sporty everyday (Active: Nassau, Trainer, Savannah, Berlin), running (Run: Flow with Run2Balance concept), outdoor (Vancouver, Toronto), and casual footwear (Canberra, Brisbane, Bendigo, Duflerino, Beach/Beach Plus, Aruba). The Sensomo sub-brand offers business and leisure shoes (I through V). The company also distributes AuBioRiG (biomechanically correct walking system), Formthotics orthotic insoles, EveryDay insoles, and Oskron smartwatches. Products emphasize pollutant-free materials, latex-free construction (DUFLEX line), and vegan options, with most manufacturing in Germany. Distribution spans specialty retail in Germany/Austria and distribution partners in 14 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DUFLEX: Clogs and sandals for healthy 'walking like on clouds'
• DUXFREE
• SENSOMO
• AuBioRiG
• Heybrid
• Duxfree Run
• Duxfree Outdoor
• Duxfree Casual
• Duxfree Active
• EveryDay

Products and services

• DUX / DUFLEX Clog Family Core ergonomic clog and sandal family built on proprietary DUFLEX thermoelastic material, including the original Clog ('walking like on clouds'), Bio (renewable materials), Sensi (extra-soft for sensitive feet), Future (double-injection technology, extra stable), Premium (arch support), Winter (thermal insulation), Ortho and Ortho Clog (orthotic-compatible), Zori sandals (massage nubs), Ballerina, Duxilette, and Kids lines. Targeted at consumers and professionals seeking joint, posture, and foot-health benefits.
• Duxfree Line Sporty everyday, running, outdoor, and casual shoe line combining DUFLEX sole technology with leather and other upper materials. Includes Active (Nassau, Trainer, Savannah, Berlin), Run/Flow (Run2Balance), Outdoor (Vancouver, Toronto), and Casual (Canberra, Brisbane, Bendigo, Duflerino, Beach/Beach Plus, Aruba). Targeted at comfort- and style-seeking consumers and athletes.
• Sensomo Business and Leisure Shoes

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,318,462 pairs of Duflex shoes sold to satisfied customers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• Bayerischer Skiverband e.V. (BSV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Official supplier relationship providing high-quality CHUNG SHI products to squad athletes, trainers, officials, and instructors. Cooperation expanded in 2019 to officially include Formthotics insoles and Oskron watches alongside CHUNG SHI footwear. BSV offers these products to its members at preferential arrangements.
• Deutscher SkiverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Official supplier of German Alpine Skiing and Ski Cross National Team since 2019 - Regenerative Footwear category. Equipped with CHUNG SHI products for 3 years. Athletes and coaches receive CHUNG SHI and Oskron products.
• Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (AGR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Medical certification partnership. Since 2010, ME & Friends AG has had products assessed by medical panels commissioned by AGR. Experts attest to health-promoting effects of tested CHUNG SHI shoes. Includes AGR Fachhandelszertifizierung program for retailers. Certifications for AuBioRiG (2010), Anti Step (2010), DUX leisure clogs and Duxfree Trainer (2015).
• ANWR Schuh GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld's leading buying group for shoe retailers. Hans-Jörg Siegers as Product Manager Einkauf has worked with DUX product line since 2006, motivating broad retailer network to distribute CHUNG SHI products. Foundation for successful long-term cooperation.
• Kettler USAregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for USA market. Kettler has appreciated ME & Friends AG's professionalism, fond memories, and support over the years. Relationship valued for long-term cooperation in American market.
• Christine Stranne (Distribution Spain)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Spain since 2007. Started after discovering CHUNG SHI products at Harrods in London. Distributes both AuBioRiG and DUX/Duxfree models for 13 years. Classic Dux remains unbeatable - softness and ability to adapt to foot shape make it unique.
• Formthotics (New Zealand)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorME & Friends AG took over distribution of Formthotics insoles from New Zealand for Germany in 2009. Expanded partnership to include Formthotics medical insoles in Germany through Pschick Group collaboration.
• Pschick Group / Markus PschickregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for Formthotics medical insoles distribution in Germany. Markus Pschick has been selling DUFLEX products since 2007. Business relationship developed into personal friendship. Michael Ertl serves as mentor.
• OPED GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Stefan Geiselbrechtinger had contact with Michael Ertl before ME & Friends AG founding. Companies share local proximity in Upper Bavaria enabling regular exchange of ideas and mutual learning. OPED focuses on rehabilitation and orthopedic solutions.
• Alexander Aichner (Austrian Elite Sports Rehabilitation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for testing and establishing AuBioRiG line for Austrian elite sports in rehab and sensorimotor training. Joint study with physiotherapists on incontinence treatment using AuBioRiG showed significant improvements after 6-week therapy.
• University of Applied Management (HAM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with HAM (University of Applied Management) for staff development since 2019.
• Podowell (France)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTook over distribution of Podowell dressing shoes from France for Germany and Austria in 2017.
• Earth Shoes (USA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTook over distribution of Earth shoes from USA for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 2009.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• FitFlop: Global comfort footwear brand built around proprietary biomechanical midsole technology (Microwobbleboard). Highly comparable to ME & Friends in technology-led comfort positioning, biomechanical/ergonomic claims, and premium health-shoe category targeting.
• Orthofeet: US-based orthopedic footwear brand specializing in diabetic and therapeutic comfort shoes with orthotic-friendly designs. Direct overlap with ME & Friends' DUX Ortho/Ortho Clog line, Formthotics heat-moldable insole distribution, and orthopedic retailer channel strategy.
• Dansko: US-based professional footwear brand with strong positioning among healthcare workers, hospitality staff, and other professionals on their feet all day — exactly ME & Friends' primary persona segment. Comparable product overlap (comfort clogs, professional wear) and channel strategy through specialty footwear retail.
• Aetrex: US comfort and orthopedic footwear brand with integrated foot scanning technology and orthotic insoles. Comparable to ME & Friends on orthopedic positioning, removable footbed product line (Aetrex Orthotics), and emphasis on clinically validated foot health benefits.
• Birkenstock: German heritage brand specializing in contoured, footbed-based comfort and orthopedic footwear with proprietary cork-latex footbed technology. Highly comparable to ME & Friends in category, German origin, health/orthopedic positioning, and use of certified material technology — though Birkenstock operates at vastly greater scale globally.
• Mephisto: European (French) comfort and orthopedic footwear brand with proprietary Soft-Air technology for shock absorption. Direct overlap with ME & Friends on functional health footwear, mid-to-premium price positioning, and presence in orthopedic/medical specialty retail channels.
• Ganter: German comfort and orthopedic footwear manufacturer with strong DACH specialty retail presence. Comparable to ME & Friends in target market (orthopedic retail), geographic focus, and comfort/functional positioning — particularly close given the German heritage and similar go-to-market through medical supply stores.

Emerging players

• Allbirds: Sustainable comfort footwear brand built around natural material innovation (merino wool, eucalyptus fiber) with climate-neutral product positioning. Highly comparable to ME & Friends on climate-neutral certification, sustainability messaging, and comfort-first design — though targeting a more lifestyle/casual consumer.
• KURU Footwear: US direct-to-consumer orthopedic comfort footwear brand focused on plantar fasciitis and heel pain relief with patented heel-hugging technology. Comparable to ME & Friends on foot health claims, D2C e-commerce strategy, and orthopedic positioning, though KURU operates primarily in the US market.

Broad incumbents

• Crocs: Global mass-market comfort footwear brand with proprietary Croslite material technology (closed-cell resin). Overlaps with ME & Friends in comfort footwear positioning, single-material molded construction approach (DUFLEX), and broad healthcare/professional segment. Operates at significantly larger scale with mass-market price points.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/me-friends-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Me & Friends Ag