The company

The company Alois Hickersberger GmbH & Co KG was founded in 1926 as a small shoemaking workshop and has stood for almost 100 years for shoe production with an excellent fit and high quality at a fair price-performance ratio.

To this day, the shoe factory remains 100% family-owned by the descendants of founder Alois Hickersberger and therefore closely connected to traditional craftsmanship. Financial independence and long-term thinking have allowed the company to continuously pursue innovation and combine comfort with fashion. Nearly 40 years ago, this led to the creation of the Hickersberger Herbal Shoes concept, which developed into a successful product line.

To ensure regional access to high-quality footwear fashion, Hickersberger expanded its location in 2012 with a specialist shoe store. Since then, customers have also been offered premium footwear from renowned comfort shoe brands in addition to the company’s own brands.

In 2023, the specialist store was expanded to approximately 300 m² of retail space and transformed into the “Mostviertler Schuhwelt,” featuring a wide selection of comfort shoes, accessories, handbags, and shoe care products.

While trends and fashions change quickly, our feet accompany us throughout our lives. Treat your feet to stylish comfort shoes from the Mostviertler Schuhwelt.

Milestones

• 1926 – Foundation
  Alois Hickersberger founded a shoemaking workshop in Haag Dorf, Winklarn.
• 1960–1970 – Industrial production
  The workshop evolved into an industrial shoe manufacturer specializing in wooden clogs and wooden sandals, mainly supplied to shoe retailers in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
• 1970 – Construction of warehouse facilities
  Production and storage capacities were expanded through the construction of a new warehouse building.
• 1980 – International expansion
  Hickersberger intensified its international activities and exhibited twice a year at the GDS, Europe’s largest shoe fair. The sales representative network was expanded, and Hickersberger shoes soon became available worldwide in quality shoe stores.
• 1986 – Birth of Hickersberger Herbal Shoes
  The idea of Hickersberger Herbal Shoes was born. Starting with only three models, the concept quickly became successful. Herbal footbeds with soft leather insoles or massage-grid insoles were introduced. Today, the range includes slippers, sandals, shoes, and ankle boots.
• 1995 – Company restructuring
  After years of continuous growth, the company was transformed from a limited partnership into a GmbH. Inge Hickersberger became co-owner and played an important role in design, trends, and color development.
• 1999 – Retirement of Inge Hickersberger
  Inge Hickersberger retired after dedicating great passion and commitment to the company, especially in production, purchasing, and employee management.
• 2000 – Generational transition
  Karl Hickersberger handed over the company to his daughter Renate Grabenschweiger, who, together with her husband Harald, led the business into the new millennium.
• 2000–2010 – Expansion of the product range
  The management team expanded the herbal shoe collection from slippers and sandals to include comfortable shoes, ankle boots, and warm felt slippers for winter.
• 2012 – Opening of the shoe store
  A modern specialist shoe store was created within a vacant section of the factory building through the personal commitment of the owner family.
• 2015 – Next generation joins the company
  Kerstin Grabenschweiger joined the company and became responsible for sales and customer service, while also coordinating production with European manufacturing partners.
• 2017 – Redesign of outdoor area
  The outdoor area and parking spaces were redesigned to create a better shopping experience for customers.
• 2022/2023 – Expansion to “Mostviertler Schuhwelt”
  The retail store was expanded and renamed “Mostviertler Schuhwelt.” A new online shop was launched, and the product range was broadened with additional brands and products.

Regional and Responsible Production

We are proud that our shoes are sustainably produced in Europe according to European standards regarding wages, working conditions, and environmental protection. This means our shoes are good not only for your feet, but also for the people involved in their production and for the environment.

We also ensure sustainable and fair production conditions for the additional quality brands in our store, because this is essential for our future — and especially for the future of our children and grandchildren.