Wortmann Group
One of Europe's largest shoe production and distribution companies, home to brands such as Tamaris, Marco Tozzi, Jana and Caprice.
Last updated September 26, 2026
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Overview
The Wortmann Group (Wortmann Schuh-Holding KG) is a German family-owned footwear company headquartered in Detmold, Germany. Founded in 1967 by Horst Wortmann, it has grown into one of Europe's largest shoe production and distribution companies, with a portfolio of well-known brands including Tamaris, Marco Tozzi, Jana and Caprice. The group operates across Europe and Asia, selling its collections worldwide through local sales teams and a Shoe Order Centre. Wortmann's business spans the design, production and distribution of fashionable shoes, primarily for women, with a focus on youthful, trend-oriented designs and strong brand positioning. Its brands are sold in more than 70 countries, supported by subsidiaries and sales offices in Europe and Asia. The company has achieved continuous growth through acquisitions and strategic participations, such as the takeover of Wendel GmbH (Marco Tozzi) in 1980, the founding of Caprice in 1990, and the acquisition of shares in NOVI Footwear in 1993. In the 2013 financial year, the group exceeded €1 billion in total turnover for the first time. As of 2021, Wortmann employed approximately 1,154 people worldwide, with 732 in Europe, while around 30,000 workers produced for the group. The company remains family-owned, with Jens Beinig, nephew of founder Horst Wortmann, taking over operational management in 2016. Wortmann continues to expand its brand portfolio and market reach, including the 2023 acquisition of the insolvent Peter Kaiser shoe factory through its Caprice subsidiary.
History
The Wortmann Group was founded in 1967 by Horst Wortmann in Detmold, Germany, as Wortmann KG. The company's headquarters remain in Detmold to this day. In 1972, the company generated a turnover of more than 20 million euros and established a new administration building and larger warehouse capacity on a 25,000 m² site. In 1974, Orion Italiana was established to oversee drop shipping with key accounts. In 1980, Wortmann took over Wendel GmbH in Pirmasens, which later became known for the Marco Tozzi brand. By 1984, the group exceeded 100 million euros in turnover. In 1987, Wortmann acquired the Austrian market leader and operated in Vienna under Wortmann-Schuhproduktionen Gesellschaft m.b.H. In 1990, Caprice shoe production was founded in Pirmasens, expanding the group into fashionable ladies' shoes in multiple widths, and serving as an innovation centre. In 1993, the group acquired shares in NOVI Footwear (Far East) Pte Ltd. in Hong Kong/Singapore, a market leader in distributing shoes from the Far East to Europe, to develop the Asian growth market. In 1999, the subsidiary shoe.com was founded, which has held the shoe license for the textile brand s.Oliver since 2005. In 2000, Jana shoes (formerly a+w shoes) was founded. In 2008, subsidiaries for the Wortmann and Caprice distribution channels were established in Russia, followed in autumn 2012 by Russian sales companies for Wendel, Jana shoes and shoe.com. In 2010, Wortmann Fashion Retail was created to handle the entire B2C area including e-commerce for Tamaris, operating five outlets and 17 retail stores. In November 2010, a new logistics centre opened in Detmold. In 2012, Wortmann launched its online shop for Germany and Austria, with other countries following. In 2014, Tamaris USA Inc. was founded to establish the Tamaris brand in the American market. In November 2014, the Wortmann factory sale opened in Detmold. On 31 May 2016, Jens Beinig, nephew of founder Horst Wortmann, took over operational management. In 2023, Wortmann acquired the insolvent Peter Kaiser Schuhfabrik through its Caprice subsidiary. In the 2013 financial year, the group achieved a total turnover of over 1 billion euros for the first time. As of 2021, the group employed around 1,154 people worldwide, with 732 in Europe, and approximately 30,000 workers produced for the group. Wortmann sells shoes from its brands Tamaris, Marco Tozzi, Caprice, Jana, s.Oliver Shoes and Peter Kaiser in over 70 countries.
- 2023
Wortmann acquires insolvent Peter Kaiser Schuhfabrik through Caprice subsidiary.
- 2016
Jens Beinig, nephew of founder, takes over operational management on 31 May.
- 2014
Tamaris USA Inc. founded; Wortmann factory sale opens in Detmold in November.
- 2013
Group achieves total turnover of over 1 billion euros for the first time.
- 2012
Russian sales companies for Wendel, Jana shoes and shoe.com established; online shop launched for Germany and Austria.
- 2010
Wortmann Fashion Retail created for B2C and e-commerce of Tamaris; new logistics centre opened in Detmold in November.
- 2008
Subsidiaries for Wortmann and Caprice distribution channels established in Russia.
- 2000
Jana shoes (formerly a+w shoes) founded.
- 1999
Subsidiary shoe.com founded; holds s.Oliver shoe license since 2005.
- 1993
Wortmann acquires shares in NOVI Footwear (Far East) Pte Ltd. in Hong Kong/Singapore.
Products and positioning
Youthful, fashionable shoes with strong brand positioning and broad international distribution.
Tamaris
Women's fashion shoes brand, one of the group's flagship brands.
Marco Tozzi
Fashion footwear brand, originally Wendel GmbH.
Jana
Comfort-focused women's shoe brand, launched in 2000, sold in over 40 countries.
Caprice
Fashionable ladies' shoes in multi widths, founded in 1990, also serves as innovation centre.
s.Oliver Shoes
Shoe license for the textile brand s.Oliver, held by shoe.com since 2005.
Peter Kaiser
Traditional shoe brand acquired in 2023 through Caprice.
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