Distributor has plans to fill the gap.
German riding boot maker Königs – whose bespoke offering is a favourite with top dressage competitors – is to close.
Current owners Joachim and Anja Königs had tried unsuccessfully to sell the family business, ETN understands.
Zebra Products has been Königs’ UK distributor for more than 20 years.
“We will greatly miss the Königs team and their beautiful boots,” said managing director Simon Middleton. “And we’d like to thank them for a much-valued partnership.”
Filling the gap
Simon hinted that Zebra Products would be looking to the Cavallo range, which it distributes in the UK, to complement its luxury riding boots provision.
“We have predominately focused on the Cavallo fashion and textile ranges up until now,” he said.
“However, Cavallo have relaunched their complete boot collection and they are selling them very well in Germany and throughout Europe and the USA. So, we will look at that collection now with fresh eyes.”
Zebra Products also distributes Ego7 and Tucci riding boots.
End of an era
Königs, based in Erkelenz Tenholt, Germany, was founded in 1850 by Anton Königs. It originally made shoes for agricultural workers before turning to military footwear.
In 1990, under senior director Manfred Königs, the company began making high-end riding boots. The supply of hand-made, bespoke products was continued by his son Achim.
At its height, Königs employed around 44 people.
