Mephisto, Inc.
Line
- Martin Michaeli, founder, owner, chairman
Mephisto is an internationally known shoe manufacturer who produces under the same label brand shoes in the mid to upper genre ( self-assessment by the manufacturer) for the city and for certain outdoor and fitness areas and markets on all continents. It is offered a fairly wide range of shoes and sandals for men and women under the brand names MEPHISTO, MOBILS, SANO, and ALLROUNDER.
Foundation
The MEPHISTO S. A. was founded in 1965 by Martin Michaeli, a German, who was very young began his career in the U.S. and wanted to build his own company in Europe on his return after several years. As the site he chose for the border region of Eastern France (Alsace / Lorraine ), a region that offered excellent conditions and benefits for starting a company. In addition, it was a great way to edit the nearby German potential market. The bi- cultural population made possible in all areas of the company recruiting multilingual staff for an international sales activities. Martin Michaeli in 1972 invented the world has become a cult shoe Mephisto Shoe RAINBOW, which had been temporarily copied over 187 times by other companies.
Mephisto today
MEPHISTO has a rapid and continuous development of the company behind it, which is characterized by an international expansion policy. The initial objective of the founder to make the world the best shoes, Mephisto treated as realized, in North America the advertising message " MEPHISTO - World's finest footwear" was widespread. However, comparative advertising in the U.S. has no consequences and is common. Of course so far is advertising, which is a good part of the reality in the U.S., the company sees a self - prophecy. MEPHISTO actually emphasizes quality, comfort and style. Reference is made to technologies, functions, an optimized ( for mass production ) fit of the shoes as well as a constant update of the collection.
The production plants in France and Portugal put together about 20,000 pairs of shoes and sandals a day ago. The production of a single pair makes almost 160 different artisanal operations necessary. MEPHISTO offers each season a range of about 600 models, and these in turn in several materials and colors in order to adapt to the tastes of consumers around the world in various cultures. Approximately 18,000 shoe store sell MEPHISTO today in more than 80 countries. Sales outside France make from 85%. A total of 2,800 people work at home and abroad for the manufacture and distribution of MEPHISTO products.
The headquarters of the Group is the Lorraine city Sarrebourg where the overall management of the company as well as all technical, commercial and financial activities of the company are centralized. Subsidiary there in the USA ( Nashville ), Canada ( Montreal), Japan ( Tokyo ) and Portugal ( Viana do Castelo ).
Just as MEPHISTO the only European shoe manufacturers is that Italy, the land of shoe production, can be described as one of his first export markets, it is also the only European company that has its own sales office in Tokyo for its sale to retailers in Japan.
Several designers teams each season at the launch of the new collections for the four brands MEPHISTO, MOBILS, SANO and ALLROUNDER. The investment is obviously continuously to provide the " MEPHISTO quality " and to simultaneously connect to the latest fashion trends in materials, styles and colors.
Materials / functions / comfort criteria
All leathers are full grain, natural, aniline dyed and free of PCP or other harmful additives. A leather set of two football fields is processed per day. More natural products ( soft leather, cork and rubber ), and Gore -Tex form a shoe that is produced according to European tradition. Around 160 work steps are necessary for the production of a pair of shoes. The production facilities are in France and Portugal.
Due to the quality requirements of MEPHISTO, especially when it comes to the full-grain natural leather or the soles made of natural rubber, cover and midsoles, removable foot beds, sewing, specialty adhesives, etc., all materials are of superior quality, which is reflected in the price. They have their origin mostly in Europe and are subjected to detailed laboratory tests as well as wear tests prior to their use in the production of series shoes.
A number of functions are to lead to the advertised " MEPHISTO comfort". One of the main criteria is advertised comfort - not visible from the outside - the addition of a soft foam midsole between the shank and outsole ( SOFT -AIR ) to dampen any appearance when walking.
Marketing
Worldwide, the company employs more than 2,800 people. In Europe, more than 2 million pairs of shoes are sold annually. In more than 80 countries of the shoe can be found on the shelves of 18,000 retail outlets and 800 Mephisto stores.
On the basis of a specifically tailored to MEPHISTO " intercultural marketing" sales- technical procedures as well as the products in terms of national or even regional needs to be adapted. This product adaptation accounted for by the production and establishment of corresponding strips the foot anatomy of culturally diverse populations (Asia / North America / Europe ), but also, through the use of different materials, the taste differences in style, materials and colors.
The shoe collection will be completed by care and various licensed products, such as apparel, leather goods, socks, etc. in sales. This generate especially the Mephisto - Shop Partner substantial additional revenue. Since opening its first concept store 25 years ago in Germany, MEPHISTO has entered into a variety of Mephisto - Shop partnerships with shoe retailers. The result today are 800 Mephisto stores, their locations are scattered over nearly all continents. The partners, who often have multiple Mephisto stores at home and abroad, are by their success as, in the eyes of the company, to become ambassadors for the brand MEPHISTO.
MEPHISTO is represented in all major national and international shoe fairs, such as at GDS in Dusseldorf, MICAM in Milan, the MOSSHOES in Moscow, etc.
VIPs as Mephisto carrier
A variety of well-known personalities from film and television, politics and economy as well as royal families buy according to the manufacturer MEPHISTO shoes.
Awards
- President Mitterrand gave Martin Michaeli in 1995 the title of " Chevalier dans l' Ordre National du Mérite " (Ritter dignity and national Order of Merit of the French Republic ).
- President Chirac appointed in 2000, Martin Michaeli Knight of the Legion of Honour. The " Légion d' Honneur ", the highest distinction that has to forgive France.