Lowa’s retreat from Handlová, following so closely on the heels of Ecco’s exit from Martin, has sharpened fears about the competitiveness of Slovakia’s manufacturing sector and the government's ability to keep international investors onside. (source: Facebook - Lowa Production)
Just a day after Danish shoemaker Ecco announced the closure of its factory in Martin, German sports footwear manufacturer Lowa confirmed that it will shut down its plant in Handlová, western Slovakia, by the end of August 2025. The decision, described as part of a broader production streamlining strategy, adds to mounting pressure on Slovakia’s industrial labour market and the future of its once-prized footwear sector.
“Lowa, a part of the Tecnica Group, is reassessing its industrial structure with the aim of increasing production efficiency and strengthening synergies across the group,” the company said in a statement signed by Tecnica Group president Alberto Zanatta and Lowa production director Branislav Bernát. “Within this context, the Handlová plant will cease operations by 31 August 2025.”
Lowa has not specified how many employees will be affected, though it stressed that it was “actively working in close cooperation with its partners to provide support for affected workers, including relocation opportunities and a responsible transition process carried out with respect and dignity.”
