Shoe innovation: the history and new design of GNL

Over two generations, the Swiss Braunschweiler family has made running shoes more comfortable with innovative developments, thereby redividing a saturated market. The company GNL brings more comfort to the shoe industry with the “Glide’n Lock” principle. In Insight Magazine 2023, we told the story of the family business. You can read how the origins of GNL go back to the Zurich running shoe brand On here (Technopark Magazine Insight / October 2023).

Swiss engineer Jürg Braunschweiler discovered the optimal cushioning of a fine layer of sand on the asphalt while jogging on the beach and then developed a sole that also takes lateral gravitational forces into account. His 2012 prototype was the first to offer 360° cushioning with a 30 percent improvement over other models. Under the management of his son Eric, the company operates under the name GNL with headquarters in Technopark Zurich and a showroom in Wollishofen. GNL stands for patented and advanced Swiss shoe technology with optimum cushioning for everyday use.

Lorenzo Sorbi has been CEO of the company since September 1, 2023 to give Eric Braunschweiler room for product development. From this year onwards, there will be a stronger focus on the 30+ target group in the DACH region. A new GNL design is being planned and will be prepared for market launch this year. In particular, the lightest and most popular GNL shoe model “George” is being further developed and is set to become even lighter. One of the main goals is to support people in their everyday lives by enabling them to be active with a lighter and at the same time optimally cushioned sole.

To the Insight magazine and the history of GNL: Technopark magazine Insight

To the GNL website: GNL Footwear

To the shoe models from “George”: George