The Finnish company Laitosjalkine Oy has introduced a new series of working shoes specially designed for the electronic industry. According to the manufacturer, these so-called ESD shoes efficiently eliminate the problems associated with static electricity.The shoes were presented for the first time at the Helsinki Electronics Exhibiton.

Institutions and plants utilising delicate instruments, e.g. within the electronic industry and hospitals, may encounter serious problems caused by static electricity. For instance, electric charges may be generated as a consequence of working shoe impacts against the floor. This can result in functional disturbances in the electronic equipment, or these may stop functioning altogether.
The new ESD shoes (ESD = Electrostatic Discharge) have soles made of polyurethane that efficiently discharges static electricity.
"Due to economic reasons, the electronic enterprises have to pay more attention to ESD protection," Sakari Anttila, Managing Director of Laitosjalkine Oy says. A good way to protect everybody against static electricity is to make the personnel use such ESD protecting working shoes.
According to the company, this series of shoes, today comprising about 20 models, will also promote ergonomics, style and safety. Under the heels and soles there are air cushions. The surface material is soil repellent and hygienic. In addition, there is a replaceable and washable innersole in the shoe. If needed, even a steel toe shield may be attached to it.
In Finland today, the company Laitosjalkine Oy is the market leader in the field of ESD shoes. With this new series of shoes, the company expects an increase of its market share, as even the growth of the electronics industry seems to be very promising. According to Sakari Anttila, also the export potential looks rather good.
The product programme of the company also comprises working and protective shoes for professional use. The company mainly concentrates on manufacturing indoors shoes but there is also a collection for outdoors use. In this collection, the emphasis is on such characteristics as good temperature isolation and good protection against skidding.
Laitosjalkine was founded in 1979 and in 1998 its turnover was about 20.5 million marks. The gross sales of shoes reached 86,000 pairs, out of which about 30 per cent was exported to 24 countries. The budgeted turnover is 21 million marks.

Captions:
1. Within the electronic industry, specially made working shoes can protect delicate instruments against static electricity. To this end, the Finnish company Laitosjalkine Oy has now introduced a new series of so-called ESD working shoes.

2. In addition to the antistatic function, the new series of shoes has been designed for ergonomics and safety.

For more information contact:
Laitosjalkine Oy
Sakari Anttila, Managing Director
FIN-35320 HIRSILÄ, FINLAND
Tel: +358 (0)3 336 3111; Fax: +358 (0)3 336 3300
www.laja.com