ECCO Product Knowledge. From the Raw Hide to the Finished Product.

ECCO’S OWNERSHIP Did you know that less than 1% of shoe companies control the entire manufacturing process? We own all of our production sites in the world. These sites are located in: Denmark, Portugal, Slovakia, Indonesia, Thailand and China. We are one of the few shoe companies in the world that control the whole process!

ECCO AND THE ENVIROMENT ECCO has the upmost respect for the environment. We have our own chemical treatment plants in each factory and tannery. We make sure that the air and water quality leaving our facilities is as good as, or better than when it came in to the factories and tanneries.

LEATHERS Holland, Indonesia, Thailand, and shortly in China. Tanning of leathers is done by ECCO in our tanneries in: Holland, Indonesia, Thailand, and shortly in China. There are many quality control steps in each area of the tanning process to guarantee ECCO’s quality.

LEATHERS ECCO uses two major types of dye: Vegetable, and Chromium ECCO is one of the few companies to use Vegetable tanning. This help to reduce the burning sensation, and creates a great environment inside the shoes.

HYDROMAX LEATHER Ensures the leather absorbs very little water. Shoes and boots stay lighter in wet conditions. The leather is not damaged by water and remains soft and supple when it dries. The leather maintains natural breathability as the water resistant treatment is actually tanned into the leather rather than being in the form of a surface treatment. The leathers are colourfast.

ECCO’S LEATHER ADVANTAGE Each hide is carefully selected by hand and tested for: Durability Colorfastness Water repellency Breathability We are more environmentally friendly in tanning by: Reducing the amount of power used our tanneries Using Vegetable tanning Recycling of many tanning materials (chemicals) Our quality is so high that companies like Wilson, and Coach (among others) use our leather for their products.

Tanning Process Tanning of leathers is done by ECCO in our tanneries in: Holland, Portugal, Indonesia, Thailand, and shortly in China. Prior to any coloring, the hides must be made into wetblue. There are many quality control steps in each areas of the tanning process.

Hides Hides are packed in salt to preserve them. When stored, they can last up-to six months (depending on weather) All breeds of cows are used for hides in tanning.

Hides

Start of the tanning process Hides are put into a highly alkaline solution to have fur etc. removed. As well water is added to have the hide swell, and gain more surface area.

Tanning Tanning drums are made exclusively of wood. The reason is to reduce noise and keep internal temperatures consistent.

Tanning

Tanning Hides are then removed from the drum, and sent to a splitting machine. The top half is the full grain leather, the bottom is split grain (Suede) As well the gelatin is removed from the underside of the hide and used for human consumption (Jelly beans etc)

Tanning

Tanning Hides are then added to a new drum with a chromium dye solution to make wetblue. They are then emptied and moved to the selection process.

Shaving and storage The hides (after being graded) are then shaved down to 1 consistent thickness. They are then put into a machine to wring out excess moisture, and transferred to the wetblue warehouse.

Wetblue warehouse and selection All wetblue is stored on wrapped pallets awaiting the selection process. The wetblue hides are then graded once again depending on: Size, cuts, and other visually noticeable markings.

Final tanning (color) ECCO uses two major types of dye: Vegetable, and Chromium Vegetable tanning takes twice as long as chromium, the internal temperature of vegetable tanning can not exceed 40 degrees celsius.

Final tanning (color) The hides are deposited into smaller drums. Tanning will take approximately 24 hours to complete. Vegetable tanning will take about 48 hours.

Finishing The leathers are now transported to the finishing department. The Proper sheen and texture is adjusted in this department.

LEATHER UPPERS Each upper is cut from the same hide, and travel together throughout the production process. ensuring an exact match. All stitching is done by hand. Notice the cleanliness in the department!

LEATHER UPPERS Picture of a last ECCO has many lasts depending on style, function and purpose. Uppers are steamed to loosen pores of the leather and take shape to the last (offering a pre-stretch).

SLIP LASTING The upper is physically stretched onto the last. The image of each shoe is projected on to the screen, to ensure a 100% match This process helps to give minimal break-in time, and they fit like a glove right from the box.

OUTSOLES We use Direct Injection moulding to adhere the PU Soles to the upper. This is when the sole is injected onto the upper creating a watertight seal, and the strongest bond.

OUTSOLES After direct injection molding has taken place. You will always see a line on the front and the back of the shoes where the mold clamps together.

FINISHED PRODUCT Here shoes are inspected, polished and have laces added. On average, shoes will be inspected for quality and to make sure they are an exact match a minimum of 5 times.

Thank-you very much Happy trails!