There are 40 fulltime employees, 35 employees who work from home and 35 seasonal workers for Nijhuis in Beltrum. There are also production facilities in China. Klompenfabriek Nijhuis currently operates in four markets. Please see information on these facilities here below.
Wooden shoes
Klompenfabriek Nijhuis is primarily a wooden shoe factory, even the biggest wooden shoe factory in the world. Nevertheless, it is clear that this market will diminish in the coming years. There will be less and less traditional users, such as old-time farmers. Construction workers, street layers and gardeners are not wearing wooden shoes like they used to. This is mainly due to the younger generation not wearing wooden shoes as much and due to the fact that there are cheaper shoes to choose from. However, Klompenfabriek Nijhuis is still producing 400,000 pairs of wooden shoes each year.
Souvenirs
The next logical step was for Nijhuis to enter the souvenirs market. Tourists wanted an authentic Dutch keepsake to take home and what is more authentic than a wooden shoe? Klompenfabriek Nijhuis is currently producing and selling almost two million souvenir wooden shoes. They are categorized into different products, such as key chains, wooden shoe brushes, wooden shoe magnets and wooden shoe piggy banks. In addition to the wooden shoe souvenirs, Nijhuis also sells the famous wooden shoe slippers.
Business gifts
The souvenir products that Nijhuis has designed over the years are also especially well suited for the business gift market. Think about wooden shoe key chains with a logo or a website address. Or wooden shoes with a logo of an association. But also the caps, wooden shoe slippers and other products with customized print are possible. This is clearly a growing market.
Shoes
As a wooden shoe maker, Nijhuis has gained a wealth of experience in orthopedics. Logically, a wooden shoe must fit correctly since the wood is not flexible. This knowledge is very useful when developing a different type of shoe besides a wooden one. The wooden shoe slipper is an example. Paul Nijhuis is currently working on the development of a completely new type of innovative shoe, to be worn both inside and outside. This market could prove to be very important for Nijhuis.