11 Jun 2019

Three HAIX shops throughout Germany are solely dedicated to selling HAIX® footwear, clothing, and accessories. Last month, the newest and biggest store yet opened its doors to customers for the first time.

More than 8,000 HAIX Bootstore fans from around Germany and Europe came out to the new location in Mainburg to check out the large-scale festivities.

HAIX® World

The new facility extends over an area of more than 10,000 square feet and encompasses a huge retail store, high-tech production processes along with interactive displays of the latest developments in footwear, from the machines and tools used to create the very first HAIX® boots, to a display of the evolution of our structural firefighting boots. 

GORE-TEX® water wall is where visitors got the chance to test out the weather resistance of their shoe

There are also tours around the manufacturing facility and logistics center to give visitors an up-close and personal look into how the boots are made, exclusively in Europe! Another highlight of the new HAIX® World is the GORE-TEX® water wall, where visitors got the chance to test out the weather resistance of their shoes and clothing inside the “Climate Cube.”

Opening with attractions

The company marked the opening with numerous attractions and a spectacularly orchestrated key handover. A helicopter landed right in the middle of the event and out stepped Ewald Haimerl, Managing Director of HAIX®. Accompanied by bodyguards in full SWAT Team uniforms, he crossed the road and headed for the stage.

In his hand, he carried a black bag, containing the key for the new HAIX® World to officially open its doors. Once the key was handed over, the activities got started! Outside, a stuntman who once doubled for Brad Pitt in the movie “Inglorious Basterds”, was on hand with his team to stage several spectacular stunts, including setting themselves on fire!

Onlookers held their breath as performers leaped from heights of more than 50 feet with lit torches. Then, fans and employees got in on the action by doing their fire jumps!  

Rescue demonstrations and displays

Various vintage fire brigade and police vehicles were on display and proved to be a big hit

A firm that specializes in fall protection and rescues offered demonstrations, giving fans the chance to run through a themed obstacle course and scale a rock-climbing wall. Attendees also had the chance to win sightseeing helicopter flights throughout the day.

Various vintage fire brigade and police vehicles were on display and proved to be a big hit. The U.S. “Snorkel” fire engine, which boasts an impressive 75-feet turntable ladder, was a popular setting for photo ops.

A Volunteer Fire Brigade Association supported the event by organizing a raffle. All of the proceeds, totaling more than $28,000, were donated to charity.