Employees

Some 275 people work at the Jetzendorf headquarters. For a small muni­cipality north of Munich with a bit more than 3,000 residents, this is no small number. Despite the fact that the production oper­ations and central warehouse of course create more traffic, this circum­stance is really of no consequence to the community. More so, the focus is on the commitment and the connection with each other. Once a year, municipal council members along with the mayor and the LOWA corporate board meet for an information exchange and to keep each other up-to-date. This close working rela­tionship has paid off over the years.

But not only the company is connected to the muni­cipality, employees too want to give something back – almost a quarter of employees them­selves are from the regional area. Many employees are involved with local organ­isations or work in a voluntary capacity with LOWA’s social engagement. Each year, numerous employees have for years been active in the annual tree-planting campaign for refor­estation of the Bavarian mountain forests.

Shoemaker, warehouse clerk or buyer – professions at LOWA are as diverse as the people who fill them. At the same time, it is above all the talent, the crafts­manship, and the commitment of employees that has made the company such a success.

For this reason, the heritage shoemaker tries to create the best possible working envir­onment, as well as to ensure a variety of continuing education and devel­opment possib­ilities aside from an inter­esting workplace. Of course, also good social benefits such as subsidies for meals and travel, a corporate cafeteria, and company retirement benefits speak to the appre­ciation of employees by LOWA. It is thus not a surprise that so many employees work at the Jetzendorf headquarters for so long – employees remain at the company an average of 13.5 years.

Too, in European production facilities, for example in Slovakia or Italy, the company’s own “Code of Conduct” ensures good conditions. Here, for example, is where guidelines for salaries, work hours, holidays and working conditions are set forth. Guar­antees are included for adhering to internal assessments, a.k.a. audits. Furthermore, employees have at their disposal extra benefits such as shift bonuses, free buses, or compli­mentary company cantinas. These benefits are not a given in these regions.

LOWA is not only an employer in the region, but also a training operation. Currently, market-specific business persons, speciality personnel for warehouse logistics, and shoe-making specialists are being trained. A dual study in the area of sports management has also been offered at LOWA since last year. All total, nine trainees or students are currently getting an education at LOWA. In a tough competitive market with an increasing shortage of speciality personnel, this is a number the company is quite proud of. Add to that, in particular, that shoe­makers, who need special training, are these days a rarity among entry-level workers. The goal with this is indeed to have apprentices take over jobs that open up by the company’s own young workers. To succeed at that and to hang on to apprentices, there is a lot of profes­sional continuing education available after completion of training. For example, continuing education to become a shoe tech­nician, shoe modelmaker, or industry master craft­sperson with a shoe­making speciality.

LOWA provides occu­pa­tional training in the following areas: Industrial management, Warehouse logistics specialist and Shoemaker.

LOWA treats all its employees as equals. A company of long tradition, LOWA places a high priority on diversity, equal oppor­tunity and respectful inter­action – regardless of religion, gender or ethnic back­ground.

(LOWA Jetzendorf, as of December, 2021)

LOWA creates a family-like company atmo­sphere with flat hier­archies. Candour, fairness, tolerance and team spirit are the defining qualities of the company’s actions. They also reflect LOWA’s under­standing of its inter­actions – both within the company and with customers and business partners.

LOWA provides its employees with appro­priate, performance-based remu­neration; flexible work schedules; capital-forming benefits and a pension plan. The company also provides meal and trans­portation allowances. Eight small buses transport employees to work and take them back home.

LOWA offers its employees a weekly back course. Further, employees benefit from a number of special oppor­tunities – such as outings to the forest climbing park in Jetzendorf or the climbing gym in Pfaf­fenhofen.

Beyond this, the company fosters a healthy work-life balance as well as health protection at work and ensures the necessary occu­pa­tional safety.