About woody shoes
Our eventful history
woody - a passionate family business
We say thank you!
We have been able to pursue our passion for over 100 years and we owe this to our customers. Your loyalty and trust in our products has brought us to where we are today and we are proud of that.
A special thank you goes to our extraordinarily committed and reliable employees, who make a valuable contribution to the success of our company and our innovative ideas every day. You are our most important resource. We are very grateful to each individual for this tireless service in our company!
Sustainability has played an important role for us right from the start and will remain a matter close to our hearts in the future. Look forward to many new, exciting projects!
From simple work shoes for agriculture...
...to a comfortable fashion statement for every day!
Over 100 years of quality and craftsmanship
1922
Michael Piroutz founds the company
In the 1920s, Michael Piroutz started to produce wooden rakes, pitchforks, scythe handles and wooden clogs here in Müllnern.
1954
Johann Piroutz takes over the business
Johann Piroutz ran the business together with his wife from 1954 to 1981. Wooden rakes and wooden mules were alternately produced.
1970
Conversion to wooden shoe production
In the 1970s, Johann Piroutz stopped the production of rakes because the demand for the wooden clogs was increasing.
1981
Gerhard Piroutz becomes managing director
There is a repositioning of the
company. The focus is on the production of work shoes.
1995
Introduction of the flexible wooden sole
Since 1996, mainly flexible wooden footbed soles have been produced and further developed for customers in Europe.
1998
woody produces fashion shoes made of wood
The models are now sold in the in-house manufacture outlet as well as by numerous sales partners in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
2012
Awarded the Carinthian coat of arms
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary, the Piroutz family received the certificate for carrying the Carinthian coat of arms from the country of Carinthia.
2015
Reopening of the factory outlet in Müllnern
In 2014 work began on expanding the new sales and office space. Opening in May 2015.
2016
woody webshop goes online
We start with our online shop and from now on open up access to our handmade clogs to an international audience.
2021
Over four generations
Junior boss Sandro Piroutz joins the family business and takes over production management.
2022
woody is 100 years old
We celebrate our 100th company anniversary with you.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
Shoes by people for people! We love shoes - our mission is to combine comfort, fashion and sustainability.
We manufacture high-quality and flexible wooden shoes with passion, which underline the individuality of their wearer.
From the tool to the catwalk
Surrounded by mountains, forests and green fields, the success story of the woody shoe manufacture in Müllnern/Sittersdorf began in the 1920s. In the beginning, wooden rakes, pitchforks, scythe handles and wooden clogs with a rigid sole were made for peasant use. Over the years and thanks to the visionary energy of several generations, we at woody have increasingly focused on the production of the multiply flexible wooden sole.
Demand increased steadily from year to year, which is why we expanded our shop in Müllnern/Sittersdorf and opened it in new splendor in 2015. In the same year, a collaboration with the fashion designer Vivienne Westwood was born, resulting in a unique pair of shoes that conquered the catwalks in London, Paris and Milan and are still available in our local factory outlet today.
Cooperation with designer Vivienne Westwood
2015 was made a highlight by a phone call from Vivienne Westwood. The fashion icon includes woody shoes specially designed for her in her collection and presents them on catwalks around the world.
Pope Francis owns woodys
In 2018, Carinthian motorcyclists were allowed to present Pope Francis with a pair of woody clogs as a gift from the community of Sittersdorf as part of a biker pilgrimage. A gift that made the Pope really happy.
Cooperation with designer Paria Farzaneh
In 2020, Paria Farzaneh approach woody. The English designer with Iranian roots includes woodys with her own design into their collection.
Benefit from the
force of nature
Draw energy from our natural willow wood and treat your feet to the well-being they deserve every day. Innovative, comfortable and sustainable!
Since the satisfaction of our customers is our priority, feedback from consumers is repeatedly obtained. A customer survey was also started in 2021 and the result speaks for itself. Here are some results of this survey:
96 out of 100 customers would recommend woody® to their friends!
The three most common answers to the question "Describe woody® in a few words" were:
① Convenience
② The flexible wooden sole
③ Natural materials
Our environment is important to us
① Photovoltaic power
② Heating with production waste
③ Own groundwater
④ Active afforestation
⑤ Sustainable production & durable products
“Protecting the natural basis of life is one of the most important tasks of our time. At woody, we are committed to acting in an environmentally friendly manner and using our resources carefully. Sustainability is our top priority and is not a marketing-driven phenomenon for us, but has been firmly anchored in our corporate philosophy for decades," says junior boss Sandro Piroutz.
Creating awareness for sustainability
There is much more to sustainability than you might think. This is reflected from the material to the production and appreciation of the employees. Willow wood from sustainable forestry combined with leather are the main components of the flexible wooden shoes made in Carinthia. Sustainability is not only an important topic for us, which is reflected in the product range, it is also firmly anchored in the entire corporate philosophy.
That is why we use the leftovers and waste from wood production to heat the company building, where more than 40 people are currently employed. We have also taken another step towards renewable energy in the form of a 105kW photovoltaic system. Plastic and unnecessary packaging waste is avoided in the company. People with a sustainable lifestyle will definitely find what they are looking for at woody®.
Wood from sustainable forestry
Willow wood has been a welcome companion in medicine for thousands of years. The stimulation of blood circulation and foot reflex zones, the cooling effect, the natural insulation, the low weight and the properties for processing in the woody® manufactory make it an important part of the woody walkonomic® concept.
Visit our woody manufactory outlet
Save up to 30% when buying locally!
We would be happy to advise you in detail and work with you to find the perfect shoe for your foot.
woody GmbH , Muellnern 21,
A-9133 Sittersdorf, Austria