THE STORY OF ORTOLAB
We count world-class athletes in soccer, running, athletics, golf and floorball among our customers. But Ortolab also has partnerships with several hospitals, from Malmö in the south to Luleå in the north. As such, we are able to help diabetics, rheumatics and people with orthopedic problems enjoy a better quality of life.
A company on the move with strong footwork.
Ortolab was founded by Jörgen Wiklander roughly 25 years ago. But our story actually began in the 1980s. At that point in time, Jörgen was conducting research in orthopedics / sports medicine at Linköping University. There, he analyzed causes of lower limb stress injuries and the possibility of preventing them.
At the end of Jörgen’s research tenure, he founded Löplabbet, the first Swedish retail chain to offer individual fitting of running shoes using treadmills, mirror boxes and video recordings. The store staff was specialized. They matched shoe models to each individual runner’s training habits, injury history, posture, mobility and anatomy. A concept that Jörgen later would develop further in Ortolab. This was the seed that grew into our unique, anatomically moulded insoles.
Today, we are Sweden’s largest producer of individually moulded orthopedic insoles. We provide upwards of 50,000 pairs annually to people in need of extra foot support and greater comfort. We count world-class athletes in soccer, running, athletics, golf and floorball among our customers. But Ortolab also has partnerships with several hospitals, from Malmö in the south to Luleå in the north. As such, we are able to help diabetics, rheumatics and people with orthopedic problems enjoy a better quality of life.
Our philosophy is that everyone should be able to move comfortably and avoid stress injuries. To achieve this, our insoles have a unique structure. The built-in shock absorber is fashioned out of the same material used in NASA space capsules. Its design provides the insoles with extremely efficient properties that reduce shock, control movements and minimize vibration.
Our production method is internationally patented. It provides the foot arches with complete freedom of movement and support. This prevents injury and reduces pain, regardless of activity.
We manufacture our products in the small town of Rundvik outside Umeå in northern Sweden. Our production takes place in a high-tech environment with 3D scanning and proprietary software. This system allows hospitals and other licensees to send referrals via mobile devices. 3D technology contributes to a more consistent result. But excellent insoles demand exceptional craftsmanship. Ortolab has a highly qualified staff, and it is in the intersection of their professional knowledge and modern technology that our insoles are provided their unique properties.
That is why we proudly proclaim our products to be Made in Norrland. With our roots in the north, we now turn our eyes to the rest of the world. Our immediate goal is to establish ourselves in Norway, Denmark and Finland.
This autumn, we are also releasing a collection of prefabricated insoles in three different arch heights with pre-placed front pads, which are based on our previous patent. We call this the Arch Flex System. As usual, the insoles have optimal stability and shock absorption, and are equally suited for exercise, work and other everyday tasks.
We know that every step counts – to us and to you.