1946 – 1950 | 1956 | 1994 | 2000
The beginning 1946 - 1950
Shoe factory Blenzo opens its doors
Since 1938, Mr. Blankers has worked with shoes. In 1946, Blenzo is founded. Since then, Blenzo has acquired much renown for baby shoes with its shoe brand “hartendiefjes”.
On June 10, Blenzo started using a new shoe factory at the Poolseweg 29 in Breda, the Netherlands.
Blenzo is growing
Opening Blenzo in Etten
Expansion 1956
Opening Blenzo in Etten
After a big renovation that doubled the factory at Poolseweg in Breda, Blenzo quickly outgrew this location again. A new business property had to be found. The solution was found by building an entirely new factory in the industrial area in Etten, North Brabant, the Netherlands.
The factory opened its doors on June 23, 1956. This modern factory had 7600m2 of surface area and included a leather and haberdashery warehouse, a cutter, a stitchery, a large manufacturing hall, a finish department and a spacious shoe warehouse.
The building also housed Blenzo’s own “rubber factory”. Blenzo manufactured its own soles.
Time to celebrate
1956, the year of the festive opening. The whole of Etten celebrates with us. The mayor opened the factory, after which the priest blessed the factory. The day was then topped off together with the local marching band.
Time to pass on, 1994
A.P. Blankers passes on the baton
After decades of growth of the company, in 1994, founder and manager of Blenzo Schoe Factory A.P. Blankers passes on the baton to his son. Marco Blankers has continued the success of Blenzo ever since.
Established name in the Footwear Industry
Blenzo Shoes Factory exists 50 years
Blenzo moves to Hungary - 2000
With the closing of Blenzo, the last slipper factory disappears from the Netherlands
Due to strong rising production costs in the Netherlands, the brothers Blankers were seeking opportunities to make Blenzo as a Company ready for an New Future. After a feasibility study in the late 90s they decided to move the factory completely from the Netherlands to Hungary. In Hungary they built an 12.000 m2 new factory and opened there doors in the late 2000.