From Wallonia, Skechers is expanding across Europe

For over 20 years, the American company Skechers has been sending sport and casual footwear throughout Europe from Wallonia. As one of Wallonia’s largest employers, the site comprises over 1,200 staff.

“We had investment opportunities in other European countries, but we chose Wallonia due to its location and the availability of land,” says Sophie Houtmeyers, Managing Director of Skechers EDC. “We also benefited from strong support and guidance from the authorities.”

This convinced the parent company in the United States to go ahead with the venture in Wallonia. A construction project for new infrastructure at the Liège Airport site is currently underway. “Keeping jobs here was a decisive factor. Having stability for the teams is a key performance factor.” This is especially true as the teams remain loyal to the company, sometimes spanning several generations. At the same time, multimodality, proximity to European transport routes and social stability also weighed heavily in the decision.

In the meantime, the Milmort site has become a European logistics hub for the group. It handles large volumes and operates 24/7. The site secures thousands of jobs that cannot be relocated, in stable industrial environment, all while integrating both local partners and training providers.

WAB Magazine