V12 Footwear is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. This Wiltshire-based safety footwear manufacturer started off as two brothers working in the family’s PPE business who saw a gap in the market for protective work boots that were also comfortable and stylish.
From that starting point in 1998, V12 Footwear have evolved into an award-winning safety footwear brand. They are trusted globally to make the safest boots for wearers working in the most demanding conditions, and relied on by numerous industry leaders to supply their footwear including Rolls Royce, LUL, Mace, Virgin Media and Mitsubishi.
And no matter who you talk to at V12 about the secret to their success and growth, the word ‘passion’ never seems very far away.
A Passion to Protect
V12 might be a family-run company with a heritage in shoe making, but they’ve become renowned for their innovation, producing some truly pioneering safety styles. These include their metatarsal protection boot,’ Invincible,’ for which they patented the ExoGuardTM, a met protection system over 200 times stronger than steel, made of the same material employed in stealth aircraft and radar.
To deliver the highest-performing waterproof boot, they developed the V-DriTM, an innovative membrane that keeps feet dry and sweat-free with inside-boot climate control and microscopic cooling holes. And with their Defender boot built for the rail industry with its advanced shock-absorbing ankle cushioning and nanotechnology toecap, it’s not surprising V12 have bagged several innovation awards over the years.
In fact, V12’s whole range is based around innovation. To develop their last, which is the shape on which all their footwear is based, they worked with the only remaining British lastmaker, then amalgamated this craftsmanship by using 4,000 global foot scans to develop a boot form which accommodates both wider and narrower global foot shapes, ensuring ultimate comfort through universal fit.
But Andy Turner, co-founder and CEO of V12 is quick to point out it’s not a passion purely for technology:
“What we do comes from a passion for people’s wellbeing through foot safety and foot health. We sell shoes, but we’re about feet.”
And it was a focus on well-being that led to one of V12’s most important company landmarks. In 2021, they launched their BoB boot in collaboration with Band of Builders, a charity supporting tradespeople and their families in crisis. For every pair of the BoB boot sold, V12 donate £5 to the charity – an example of this company’s passion to protect more than just their wearer’s feet.
Staying true
And it’s this continued passion which according to Andy’s son, Charlie Turner, Head of Sales and Marketing, is the answer to V12 Footwear’s consistent growth.
“Starting out, V12’s passion was to protect as many people as we could by getting as many pairs of our safety boots on their feet as we could. And 25 years later – that hasn’t changed. And when you stay true to your passion, then success will follow.”
Asked how he feels as the company turns a quarter of a century old, Charlie answers:
“To reach a 25th year of trading is a significant milestone for any company, and that brings a rewarding feeling. But to know we’ve spent 25 years supplying safety footwear which has protected thousands of people across the country and beyond whilst they work in hazardous environments – that gives me an incredible feeling of pride.”
It’s safe to say…
Sustainable practices in manufacturing are now rightly expected by the consumer – and V12 have and will continue to lead the way in this area. This year they were certified ZeroCarbon® as a company, and this came straight after receiving an international environment award for their carbon neutral safety boot, Lynx.
Whether it’s developing their true women’s fit range, expanding their carbon neutral styles or continuing to research and innovate to produce the safest footwear solutions, it’s safe to say V12 Footwear will always be guided by what their wearers and customers need to stay supported and safe.
When asked about the years to come, Andy Turner seems just as full of energy and excitement as he was back in 1998.
‘The biggest, but most rewarding challenges are people’s foot health and safety. And we’ll continue to explore and discover the solutions with the customer, using our knowledge and expertise to help them get what they need.’
To find out more about V12 Footwear and their award-winning safety footwear solutions, visit https://v12footwear.com/
