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CHECKING OUT SIDI BOOTS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
By: Zapata Espinoza
Sidi
was founded by Dino Signori back in 1960. Originally, the product line was
dedicated to hiking boots, but eventually the brand became synonymous with
performance off-road footwear. From six-time world champion Joel Robert and
ten-time world champ Stefan Everts to current world champ Antonio Cairoli, Sidi
boots have been used by some of the most successful motocross riders in
history. With a broad range of products designed for a variety of two-wheeled
sports, Sidi is also a name well-known to off-road riders and cyclists alike.
After celebrating their 50th
anniversary, Mr. Signori is still found in the office on a daily basis along
with his daughter Rosella who helps run the business.
Sidi’s
impressive headquarters are located in Maser Italy. The Venetto region that
Sidi calls home is also where handful of key boot makers can be found. In fact,
both Alpinestars and Gaerne are located within earshot of Sidi. The design of
the stylish building is intended to act as a mirror image to the
Colli Asolani that sit parallel to the buildings
façade.
Road cycling and moto share a bench at the factory
Like
many of their local Italian competitors, Sidi has moved a majority of its
manufacturing to Romania. While the Italian office takes care of manufacturing
all of the brand’s higher end products (plus home to administrative,
warehousing, marketing and design duties), the bulk of their manufacturing
duties are now done in Romania to take advantage of lower production costs.
The
Maser location is home to 75 people and the Romanian plant employs upwards of
300 people. Sidi’s Poalo Mion told us that all of the boots and shoes made in
Romania and unpacked and checked for QC before being re-boxed and shipped to
customers.
There are rows of foot molds that are used to design and build the shoes of top
riders.
The
Colli Asolani
mountains that reflect in the windows of the Sidi
offices
Trials boots for Adam Haga
Stefan Everts carried the Sidi flag his numerous World Championships.
Celebratory chrome boots
The
cycling shoes of former world Superbike champion Troy Bayliss.
At first glance, assembling shoes is not what you would assume these massive
machines are used for.
Cairoli poster
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