ECCO
ECCO Sko A/S (Toosbuy family) · Denmark
ECCO is a Danish footwear company founded in Bredebro in 1963 by Karl and Birte Toosbuy and still owned by the Toosbuy family. It is unusual in controlling almost its entire value chain, from tanneries and factories to wholesale and retail. ECCO is one of the largest comfort shoe brands in the world.
| Founded | 1963, Bredebro |
|---|---|
| Founders | Karl and Birte Toosbuy |
| Ownership | Toosbuy family |
| Headquarters | Bredebro, Denmark |
| Chief executive | Thomas Gøgsig |
| Chair | Hanni Toosbuy |
| Website | ecco.com |
What is ECCO?
ECCO is a Danish maker of shoes, leather goods and accessories. The group, legally ECCO Sko A/S, describes itself as "a global family of shoemakers" and says it is the only major shoe company to own and operate its own production and retail facilities. Its chief executive is Thomas Gøgsig, and Hanni Toosbuy chairs the board.
History
Trained shoemaker Karl Toosbuy and his wife Birte moved to Bredebro in south-west Denmark and founded the company in 1963, originally as A/S Bredebro Skofabrik. ECCO opened its Futura design centre in Denmark in 1996 and its first flagship store, on London's Oxford Street, in 1998. By 2000 it controlled every stage from design and leather production to retail.
In 2022 ECCO drew criticism for continuing to operate in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, and it lost its status as a supplier to the Danish royal court.
Products and positioning
ECCO sits in the premium comfort segment. Its range includes:
- Casual and formal shoes for men and women
- Children's shoes
- Bags and small leather goods
Business model and distribution
ECCO's model is vertically integrated. It runs tanneries in the Netherlands, Thailand, Indonesia and China, and Wikipedia reports that about 98 per cent of its shoes come from its own factories in Portugal, Slovakia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and China. Its leather business also supplies the fashion, sports and automotive industries. ECCO sells in around 100 countries through its own and partner-run mono-brand stores, independent retailers and online.
Why it matters
In an industry that mostly outsources production, ECCO's ownership of tanneries and factories is a distinctive strategic choice. It gives the company control over quality, materials and lead times, and makes it a reference case for vertical integration in footwear.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns ECCO?
ECCO is a family-owned Danish company. It was founded by Karl and Birte Toosbuy in 1963, and Hanni Toosbuy of the founding family chairs the board.
Where are ECCO shoes made?
ECCO makes most of its shoes in its own factories in Portugal, Slovakia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and China, using leather from its own tanneries.