Arklyz Steps Up: Swiss Firm Acquires German Shoe Giant Gabor
Swiss investment firm Arklyz has completed the acquisition of German shoe brand Gabor, a deal finalized after securing all necessary regulatory approvals. The financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed by Arklyz, which is based in Stans, Switzerland.
Gabor, historically owned by its founding family, is a prominent manufacturer of women’s footwear and operates from its headquarters in Rosenheim, Germany. The acquisition results in Gabor becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arklyz, though the established Gabor brand name will be maintained. Importantly, the existing management team will continue to lead the company following the change in ownership.
This acquisition marks Arklyz’s second investment in the German footwear market within the past year. In 2023, the investment holding company, founded in 2018, also acquired Lloyd Shoes, based in Sulingen, Lower Saxony. Arklyz focuses its investments primarily within the sports, clothing, and footwear industries.
The roots of Gabor Shoes trace back to 1919, beginning as a small shoe workshop in Upper Silesia, now part of Poland. The company relocated its base of operations to Rosenheim in 1966 and has since grown to become one of Europe’s largest shoe manufacturers, according to its official website.
In 2023, Gabor employed a workforce of nearly 2,630 individuals. While the company maintains a presence in Germany with 366 employees, the majority of its production takes place in its two manufacturing facilities located in Slovakia and Portugal. Financial reports indicate a strong performance in 2023, with Gabor reporting a net profit of 13.4 million euros on a total revenue of 282 million euros.
