Badorf Shoe Company

Over its 79-year history, Badorf Shoe Company Inc. has evolved many times to keep with market demands. Below are just a few of the many notable points in the company’s history.

From 1928-1968, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. worked as a private label production house manufacturing products for existing brands and large chain stores.

From 1969-2001, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. expanded into its own branded line, FootMates®, specializing in infant and toddler footwear.

In 1977, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. won the American Designer Award from the Leather Industries of America, for its style “Todd #779”. This item, since its inception, has remained the company’s #1 selling shoe. Although copied by others, the items’ consistent fit and unique look have stood through time.

In February 1987, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. was showcased on the children’s educational show, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood”. The visit was part of a week long series on dance and Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. was asked to show children the art and science of shoemaking. The show consisted of a factory tour and in-depth description of the technical operations.

In 2000, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. took on its first distribution line, RICOSTA®, Germany’s largest children’s brand. RICOSTA’s high-quality footwear and family owned background were a natural fit with Badorf Shoe Company, Inc.

In 2003, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. shut down its US manufacturing operations, closing one of the last children’s shoe manufacturing facilities in the United States. It began to import its FootMates line and soon began developing its expanding import / distribution business.

In 2006, Badorf Shoe added its second distribution line, Tsukihoshi® of Japan. Tsukihoshi is the largest children’s shoe supplier to Japan and its “hyper-functional shoes for kids” show the mother-friendly, forward thinking perspective of this brand.

Despite the many changes over the years, the company has remained dedicated to its original mission: to provide its customers with the finest quality children’s shoes, at competitive prices, with unequaled customer service. This mission will continue to motivate Badorf Shoe Company to service its partners better and to improve for the next 79 years.


	Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. was started in Lititz, PA in 1928 by brothers Norman and Paul Badorf. The company was owned and operated by the Badorf family for nearly 40 years until its purchase by Ura Gingerich in 1967. 40 years later, the family tradition has continued and the company is now being operated by Ura’s son Duane Gingerich and grandsons, Justin and Brandon Gingerich. Over its 79-year history, Badorf Shoe Company Inc. has evolved many times to keep with market demands. Below are just a few of the many notable points in the company’s history. From 1928-1968, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. worked as a private label production house manufacturing products for existing brands and large chain stores. From 1969-2001, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. expanded into its own branded line, FootMates®, specializing in infant and toddler footwear. In 1977, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. won the American Designer Award from the Leather Industries of America, for its style “Todd #779”. This item, since its inception, has remained the company’s #1 selling shoe. Although copied by others, the items’ consistent fit and unique look have stood through time. In February 1987, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. was showcased on the children’s educational show, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood”. The visit was part of a week long series on dance and Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. was asked to show children the art and science of shoemaking. The show consisted of a factory tour and in-depth description of the technical operations. In 2000, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. took on its first distribution line, RICOSTA®, Germany’s largest children’s brand. RICOSTA’s high-quality footwear and family owned background were a natural fit with Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. In 2003, Badorf Shoe Company, Inc. shut down its US manufacturing operations, closing one of the last children’s shoe manufacturing facilities in the United States. It began to import its FootMates line and soon began developing its expanding import / distribution business. In 2006, Badorf Shoe added its second distribution line, Tsukihoshi® of Japan. Tsukihoshi is the largest children’s shoe supplier to Japan and its “hyper-functional shoes for kids” show the mother-friendly, forward thinking perspective of this brand. Despite the many changes over the years, the company has remained dedicated to its original mission: to provide its customers with the finest quality children’s shoes, at competitive prices, with unequaled customer service. This mission will continue to motivate Badorf Shoe Company to service its partners better and to improve for the next 79 years.