Mephisto

Shoe company founded in Bolzano in 1965. It is one of the most important in the world, producing 11,000 pairs of shoes a day, with 1,700 employees, 220 “concept stores” in Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada, 12,000 retailers, and a turnover of 300 billion lire in 1997, of which 80% came from exports across 40 different countries. Quality (a choice of leathers treated with natural methods, a careful selection process even down to the laces) and comfort (special padding in specific areas, a heel with a double softening effect, an air-jet system for air circulation) are the secrets to the company’s long-lasting success. Together with some of the most famous reflexologists in the world, the firm has invented the Mobil Reflex with special “partitions,” comprising a system of small, soft pads, which continuously massage the reflex points of the foot in order to improve blood circulation and stimulate the back muscles.