Van Lier Heritage Since 1815

Heritage

The roots of Van Lier can be found in Loon op Zand (Brabant), on the "Langstraat", the centre of the former Dutch shoe industry. In 1815 the Van Lier family started the manufacture of high quality men's shoes.

These shoes, handmade from local naturally tanned leather, soon became popular with the well-to-do Dutch gentlemen. The Van Lier family continued to innovate and was open to new developments in shoe manufacturing techniques. The production became partially industrialised with the onset of steam machines.

Goodyear shoes

Mid-20th century Van Lier started manufacturing shoes with the Goodyear production method, invented by the Englishman Charles Goodyear. This includes stitching the soles to the body with an edge. The traditional process which used very advanced machines at the time, produces the most beautiful shoes, which are very durable too.

Only a few Goodyear shoe factories remain in Europe today. Goodyear machines are rare, and they reach astronomical prices. Van Lier owns several own Goodyear production lines consisting of machines which are often more than 50 years old. The machines are still in perfect condition - thanks to intensive maintenance - and are still used every day.

Tradition in leather

The Van Lier family always enjoyed travelling and visited leather tanning workshops all over the world. They bought from the best tanneries: fine calf's leather from Le Puy in France, sturdy and intensively processed leather from Horween in Chicago, strong sole leather in England and elegant stamped leather in Italy.

Van Lier has always maintained the relationship with these tanneries, and therefore always gets the best quality ("triple A") from the tanneries as an historical customer. A good name and reputation is very important to be able to working with the best leather and materials for centuries.

Innovate

Van Lier also established its reputation as an innovating shoe manufacturer. The company constantly searches for possibilities to increase the comfort, the fitting and the durability of the shoes.

The application of innovations such as Goodyear, Drylex © linings, VanLierFlex; PPT memory foam, +Cooling System © and Poliyou © inners demonstrate this continuous striving for perfection.

Design

Van Lier has always aimed for exclusivity and perfection. This also applies to the shoes' design. The men who wear Van Lier want to be well dressed and look modern, but also show a personal interest in tradition and quality. That's how it was at the beginning of Van Lier and it still applies almost two hundred years later.

Van Lier is a Dutch company that makes Dutch shoes. This means that Van Lier shoes represent Dutch design. Dutch design is characterised by an eye for international trends translated into practical designs of timeless modern-classic simplicity. The same design principle has been applied by Van Lier for two centuries. That's why every pair of Van Lier shoes is a timeless possession you will enjoy for many years to come.