Roberto Martullo is acquiring Swiss shoe manufacturer Künzli, which had recently announced its closure due to a lack of succession. His purchase ensures the continuation of the nearly century-old brand and secures jobs for the employees. The previous owner, Barbara Artmann, will assist during the transition. Martullo plans to expand Künzli’s offerings, particularly targeting the sneaker market while maintaining its presence in the orthopedic segment. He feels a personal connection to the brand, having grown up wearing Künzli shoes.
- Roberto Martullo has acquired the Swiss shoe manufacturer Künzli. He is married to Magdalena Martullo-Blocher, a member of the SVP National Council and the head of EMS-Chemie.
- Approximately a month ago, the well-established company announced it would close by year-end due to a lack of a successor.
- Fortunately, the nearly century-long legacy of the Swiss shoe brand continues, and all employees in Windisch, Aargau, will retain their jobs.
The announcement of Künzli’s impending closure stirred significant emotion among footwear enthusiasts. About a month ago, owner Barbara Artmann revealed that the esteemed company from Windisch AG would cease operations at the end of the year.
This would have marked the end of the iconic shoes featuring the five stripes. However, a solution has emerged — Künzli shoes will continue to be produced.
Roberto Martullo, husband of SVP National Councillor Magdalena Martullo-Blocher, has intervened, as confirmed in a press release from Künzli. He is set to purchase the company and will take over its day-to-day operations starting in January.
The transition process will ensure continuity, with Barbara Artmann, the previous owner, staying on board until mid-2025 or as long as needed. This guarantees that production and order fulfillment will remain uninterrupted.
In addition, there is positive news for the workforce: all jobs will be preserved. Employees have been informed that the previously announced layoffs will not occur. “With the exception of one employee currently abroad, everyone has accepted the offer,” stated Barbara Artmann. Production in Albania will also proceed as planned.
Artmann expressed her relief at the positive outcome: “This is the best day of my life — it’s wonderful. Künzli and its nearly 100-year legacy in shoe history will live on.”
This development fulfills a dream: “Of course, going public was also accompanied by the hope that there might still be a way to save the shoe brand.”
Emotional Connection to the Brand
For Roberto Martullo, the acquisition of Künzli is particularly meaningful. “As a teenager, I played a lot of football and was involved in athletics — alongside Puma and Adidas, Künzli was the only reliable alternative,” he shared.
Martullo was deeply moved upon learning of the brand’s potential demise. “I thought to myself: if I can save Künzli, I will,” he remarked.
While he admits he doesn’t possess extensive knowledge of the shoe industry, Martullo has a familial connection, as both his parents worked in the industry for 40 years, creating a natural affinity for the field.
Future Plans and Expansion
Künzli shoes currently have a strong presence in the orthopedic market. Martullo emphasizes the importance of maintaining and enhancing this focus: “The orthopedic sector is vital, but we need to expand our horizons.”
He also plans to rejuvenate the Künzli brand image. “The sneaker market is substantial. I want young people to start considering Künzli again when they think about sneakers.”
Martullo intends to conduct a market analysis to determine the next steps for Künzli shoes as they enter this exciting new chapter.