Rohde

Rohde Shoes GmbH, previously known as Erich Rohde GmbH, is an internationally recognized German shoe manufacturer. Based in Schwalmstadt, Hessen, the company has a significant presence across Central Europe​​.

Established as a tannery in Guben, Brandenburg, in 1862, Rohde transitioned into the shoe industry under the leadership of Erich Rohde in 1926. The company's high-quality craftsmanship was recognized early on, with the Gubener Hausschuhfabrik Erich Rohde awarded the Gaudiplom for excellence in 1939​.

In the wake of World War II, Rohde lost two of its shoe factories. Despite these setbacks, the company demonstrated resilience, using leftover materials such as military uniforms, field bed fabric, and car tires to manufacture shoes in 1947​​.

Rohde's post-war reconstruction in Lower Saxony commenced in 1948, marked by the establishment of its first production facility. By the early 1950s, the company had grown to employ approximately 200 people, producing over 1,700 pairs of shoes daily​​.

The 1960s marked a period of expansion for Rohde, with new branches opening across Germany and Austria. The company also embraced technological advancements, integrating computer technologies into its production processes throughout the 1980s​​. In 1996, Rohde broadened its product range by acquiring the license for the shoe collection of the French lifestyle brand Daniel Hechter, a move that positively impacted its own brand​​.

In 2003, under the leadership of Christoph Schmitt and Friedrich O. Schenk, Rohde reported a turnover of approximately 164 million Euros, employing over 3,000 people, with a significant proportion based in Portugal. The company's production capacity peaked in 2005, with a daily output of 38,000 pairs of shoes and an annual production of 8 million pairs​​.

However, in 2007, Rohde faced financial challenges, resulting in insolvency. This led to a series of changes, including new ownership by Square Four Investments and Morgan Stanley in 2008, and a restructuring process that saw almost a third of its workforce let go and several production sites closed​​.

In 2012, Rohde decided to end its 15-year collaboration with Daniel Hechter and shift its focus back to its core brand. That same year, production in Schwalmstadt was fully closed and increasingly outsourced to other countries, particularly in Eastern Europe. The company also opened a new showroom in Hamburg​.

In 2016, another insolvency process was initiated, culminating in Rohde's acquisition by the Italian Inblu Group in 2017​​.

Throughout its long history, Rohde has demonstrated adaptability and resilience in the face of change. Its story is one of innovation, growth, and a continuous commitment to quality shoe manufacturing.