Italian-Japanese collaboration for technology and product innovation in safety footwear

The Italian-French JAL Group is a leading European industrial manufacturer in the sector of safety footwear with its brands Jallatte®, Lupos® and Aimont®. Apart from these three brands, that account for 3/4 of its business, the firm also produces private label footwear for specialized dealers and distributors operating on the continental safety shoes market.

Now JAL Group has signed an agreement with Simon Corporation Japan, a major Asian player in the safety sector with factories in Japan, China, Thailand and Indonesia, for reciprocal technical cooperation aimed at exchanging know-how in products, new technology and manufacturing processes.

The project is part of a wider process of reorganization planned by the CEO of JAL Group Daniele Ondeggia, head of the Italian-French company since June 2012. Back in 1986 Simon Corporation and Jallatte Sas (now part of JAL Group) signed a contract for technical cooperation that enabled the Japanese firm to launch innovative safety footwear on the Asian market, thanks to expertise provided by Jallatte. This project was suspended in 2005 because of a corporate operation that brought a momentary revision of the strategy of both groups.

The renewed agreement is based on the fundamental values pursued by the two firms, which emerged right from the preliminary meetings. JAL Group and Simon Corporation, in fact, have as their uncompromising priorities protection, wellbeing and health of people, as well as respecting and safeguarding the environment.

Therefore, exchange of information and know-how in order to create quality footwear, with the added value of hi-tech content and integration of avant-garde technology, is the objective shared by both parties.

This agreement emphasizes our leading position in Europe for innovation and know-how, responding to the fundamental objectives of our industrial plan: great commitment to Research & Development, rationalized production and business growth in new commercial areas

declared Daniele Ondeggia CEO of JAL Group