Our History
As with any iconic sneaker, it started with a vision of what might be possible. We are indebted to Hermann and Paul Hoffmann for their creativity, inventive spirit, entrepreneurial approach, and frankly their courage.
The beginnings- 1819 in Stadtilm
The company was founded in 1819 in Stadtilm in what is now the state of Thuringia, Germany under the name of Hermann Hoffmann, a passionate leather manufacturer.
Made in Germany
The original factory was located in the immediate vicinity of the Ilm River, which flows through the village and gave ilmia its name.
1848
In 1848, Paul Hoffmann took over the company and expanded the product range.
1898
In 1898, the company Paul Hoffmann & Co. Lederwerk officially uses the brand name "Jlmia". At this time, the manufactory specialises in producing street shoes and hard-wearing work shoes.
1920
The “Schuhfabrik Paul Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG” begins producing riding boots and some of the first sports boots.
1930
From 1930 onwards, ilmia specialised in the production of sports shoes. In the following decades, gymnastics and sports shoe production will take on a high status.
1940
In 1940, the focus shifts for good. From then on, ilmia concentrated on the production of football shoes and running shoes. This also laid the foundation for the unique sneakers you wear today.
1989
The Fall of the Berlin wall brought with it some challenging times for ilmia. Up until that time ilmia was a well known manufacturer in the GDR and ilmia were now faced with the challenge of finding the way in what was truly a new world.
1998
From 1989 to 1998, ilmia sought its place in a reunified Germany and an opened Europe. In 1998, production in Stadtilm was closed due to economic problems.
2003 - today
In 2003, the brand was revived first in Berlin, later and to this day in Switzerland. ilmia is aimed against the mass market and as a brand stands for a long tradition of the shoemaker's craft. According to our motto "future through origin", new models are designed, developed and presented to our customers in Europe, the USA and Japan.
