Feetz
Feetz teams with DSW to retail custom-fit 3D printed shoes.
The most frustrating thing about a pair of shoes is that they only feel comfortable and truly form fitting when they are falling apart. But with the advancement in additive manufacturing, the San Diego based company; Feetz, who uses 3D printing technology to produce custom fit, sustainably made shoes have today announced a tactical collaboration with chief footwear retailers DSW Inc. to integrate the innovative technology of additive manufacturing to the world of mainstream footwear.
Feetz’s company is the first of its kind to use AM technology to manufacture footwear that is made-to-measure for the customer, and hopes to achieve an affordable, custom fit shoe that is both sustainable and comfortable, with the partnership to DSW. Inc.
In correspondence to the partnership, DSW Inc. ran the Series A funding for Feetz, which involved contribution from pre-existing investors such as The Jump Fund and Khosla Ventures. Uli Becker; previous CEO of Reebok and Vijit Sabnis; of Khosla Ventures will accompany Senior Director of Innovation at DSW Inc., Erin Kelly on Feetz’s panel.
Chief Commercial Officer of DSW Inc., Simon Nankervis commented: "DSW is excited at the possibility of bringing Feetz's innovative technology to our customers. The Feetz model will allow our customers to purchase true custom fit shoes at a fraction of what traditional bespoke shoes cost. We believe that giving customers the ability to purchase on-demand, affordable, custom fit shoes has the potential to disrupt the footwear market as we know it today."
Regarding the collaboration, Feetz’s Founder and CEO Lucy Beard said: "We've been amazed with the demand and the positive feedback we've received from our early Feetz customers. We've been perfecting and protecting our technology for the last 18 months so every customer gets what they deserve - a shoe that fits. Our new 3D printing manufacturing facility in San Diego, the first of its kind, will fulfil thousands of orders per month. DSW's impressive reach and customer centricity makes them the perfect partner for Feetz."
With this exciting new prospect that Feetz’s 3D Printing technology has to offer DSW Inc. and the stature that DSW Inc. holds within the retail world, it is finally possible to manufacture a shoe for every foot.
