Page 27 - Top Cover Issue 9

TOP COVER ISSUE 9 27

PROMOTION

PFOA WEARS

WRITTEN BY MARK WILLIAMS

For some years now Haix, the German shoe manufacturer, has ABOUT HAIX
supported the PFOA through advertising in TOP COVER Innovations, High-Tech Production, and
magazine. I first ‘discovered’ Haix whilst at the Emergency Shoemaker Know-How
Services show in 2012 and was really impressed with their What do the legendary New York Firefighters,
quality and durability. This led to myself and other PFOA the fire fighters in Mexico City, Hamburg,
members testing some boots and writing about them in the Moscow, and Cape Town as well as the German
magazine. I wear my Haix boots or trainers most days, whether GSG 9 Counter-Terrorist Unit, military units
at work, walking the dog or washing the car. They are a first in Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and
class product, extremely comfortable and hardwearing. In July Afghanistan have in common with aid workers
this year whilst on a weekend trip to Munich with Mrs. Williams in worldwide emergency response operations
we took the opportunity (well I did, not sure this was what Mrs. after earthquakes or tsunamis? They all wear
W thought the weekend would be about!) to visit the Haix shoes produced by HAIX.
factory in Mainburg and met up with the owner Ewald Haimerl
and Simon Ash the UK Sales Manager. Over lunch we discussed When HAIX CEO Ewald Haimerl took over
the possibility of the PFOA becoming a Haix retailer in the UK. his parents’ shoe making business in 1992,
There were a number of reasons for this, which I will elaborate he had a vision. The shoe specialist from the
on later, but I am glad to say that they agreed that the PFOA Bavarian town of Mainburg wanted to see the
could sell Haix products. HAIX brand compete in the global market.
Less than twenty years later, this vision has
We have looked at the range that Haix offer and have carefully come to life. HAIX is considered a top brand
selected ‘shoes’ that reflect the work police officers carry out and of functional shoes for fire fighters, police,
what you might want to wear off duty or whilst engaged in plain and task forces worldwide. With numerous
clothes work. Why Haix? I have seen first hand the manufacturing patents and new product developments, the
process, the materials used and the quality of workmanship. global player from Bavaria is ready to set new
All Haix products are supremely comfortable from day 1. The standards with regards to functionality and
products we have selected are Gore-Tex and therefore suitable innovation.
for all aspects of police work as well as leisure activities. Haix also
design their footwear to improve the wearers posture which in OUR PRODUCTS
return lessons the risk of back and feet problems. Whenever HAIX develops a new shoe,
the highest priority is to ensure complete
The products we have selected are not cheap, but as they suitability for the intended area of deployment.
say, ‘you get what you pay for’. However we recognize that Conformity and stress tests in state-of-the-
spending over £100 on trainers or boots is a considered art laboratories are carried out as a matter
purchase. With this in mind we have set up an ‘easy pay’ of course. Theory is one thing. Practice,
facility for PFOA members and their families. Orders can be however, is quite another. HAIX developers
made through the PFOA Office where you can take advantage speak of “proximity to the end user”. No
of paying for your boots, shoes or trainers over three months specialist footwear is launched until mastery of
by credit or debit card payment. Your purchase will be sent the conditions of everyday use has been fully
out by courier to your home address immediately after the demonstrated.
first payment is received. We will then arrange with you a
convenient date for the two further payments to be made, this
could coincide with your pay day.