Birkenstock Mayari sandals

Birkenstock is a storied German footwear brand that traces its roots back to 1774, when Johann Adam Birkenstock was registered as a cobbler. For over two centuries, the Birkenstock family refined their craft, eventually specializing in orthopedic-inspired footwear. Their most famous innovation, the flexible cork footbed, was developed by Konrad Birkenstock in 1896 and has since become the hallmark of the brand's commitment to podiatric health and comfort.

Historically a family-owned dynasty, Birkenstock entered a new era in early 2021 when the private equity firm L Catterton and the family office Financière Agache (backed by LVMH's Bernard Arnault) acquired a majority stake. The company subsequently went public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BIRK) in 2023. Despite its global expansion and modern corporate structure, Birkenstock maintains a vertically integrated production model. All of its signature cork-latex footbeds are exclusively manufactured in Germany, and over 95% of its final product assembly takes place at the company's dedicated sites within Germany, primarily in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Saxony. Some specialized components and closed-toe models are crafted in Portugal.