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Thorlo changing foot-care identity
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Published: September 25, 2009
Statesville-based Thorlo Inc. is taking a step toward changing its foot-care identity.
Starting with two new foot-care programs at the Thorlo Outlet on Cinema Drive, the company is trying to promote itself as a foot-care company instead of just a sock manufacturer.
President Jim Throneburg said that for some time, he has considered foot care the company's main focus since letters from doctors and grateful customers started pouring in about how well Thorlo socks helped with foot pain.
Getting people to think about their feet and how healthy feet can promote a good lifestyle is one of the reasons why Throneburg is giving away socks at the company's outlet store.
"It's hard to comprehend that one day your quality of life will depend on if you walk or not," Throneburg said.
"My socks are made to make you feel better."
He ultimately hopes two in-store programs — Integrated Comfort Solutions and foot screenings — will make Statesville the city with the healthiest feet in the world.
Integrated Comfort Solutions is a three-step fitting process designed to assure maximum foot comfort, according to a company news release.
The idea is to take proper foot measurements, which will lead to the right sock and shoe combination, said Thorlos on-site Certified Foot Pedorthist Jerome Gallenstein, who performs the fittings at the outlet.
The reason why people's feet hurt at the end of the day is because their shoes don't fit properly, Marketing Director Jeff Lawson said.
About 80 percent of the population is experiencing foot issues, Gallenstein said.
"Poor fitting creates the majority of foot pain," he said. "Many people don't try on both shoes. You need to have a proper measurement to get the proper length and width."
The foot screenings are also conducted by Gallenstein. They start with an analysis of the participants' shoes for unusual wear patterns. Then, barefoot measurements and foot impressions are taken.
The foot impression identifies what type of arch the person has and also shows any pressure points.
Gallenstein also examines the customer's bare feet to see if there are any major issues.
"The more your feet hurt, the less you'll walk," Throneburg said.
Throneburg said people should go to the outlet for the experience. It takes 45 minutes and he'll throw in a free pair of Thorlos socks, he said.
Throneburg said he started the programs for two reasons. In addition to promoting foot health, he wanted to promote the "Shop Local" program the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce is gearing up.
"Believe it or not, it is what we talk about all the time," Lawson said.
So far, the program has been successful, he said. People passing through town are coming back with their families to buy socks, he said.
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