Our Story
Over 100 years of history making specialist rubber footwear
The history of Skellerup Footwear
1881
George Waldemar Skjellerup is born
George Waldemar Skjellerup was born in Cobden, Victoria in 1881. Leaving school at just twelve, he learned his trade the hard way – through hands‑on work. Those early years instilled a practical mindset that would define everything ahead.
1897–1901
Learning rubber from the inside
As a young man, George worked across Fremantle and Melbourne, including manufacturing bicycle tyres for Dunlop. It was here he developed an intimate understanding of rubber – how it behaved, how it failed, and how it could be improved.
1902
A new start in New Zealand
In 1902 George arrived in New Zealand with little more than determination. Working first in Dunedin and later Christchurch, he continued refining his understanding of rubber products before deciding that New Zealand deserved better - and better‑made - everyday essentials. It was also here that George altered the spelling of Skjellerup to Skellerup for locals to understand.
1910
Para Rubber is founded
In Christchurch, George opened the Para Rubber Company. What began as a small retail operation quickly became something more: a commitment to supplying durable rubber goods designed for New Zealand conditions.
1939
Footwear becomes our future
On the eve of World War II, Skellerup formed Marathon Rubber Footwear in Christchurch. What started with tennis shoes soon evolved into far more, as global uncertainty demanded local manufacturing strength.
1943
Our first gumboot
Our first rubber gumboot was made in Christchurch. Designed to withstand mud, moisture and long days on your feet, it marked the true beginning of our footwear legacy. Skellerup also supported the war effort, fitting soldiers out in rubber footwear and manufacturing gas masks.
1954
Footwear for exploration
When Sir Edmund Hillary headed south on his Antarctic journey, we supplied specialist mukluks built for extreme cold. It was a quiet moment of pride - our boots trusted at the edge of the world.
1958
The Red Band is born
On 21 October, the first Red Band gumboot boot was made. Shorter, easier to wear, and unmistakably practical, it quickly became part of rural New Zealand – and remains a part of New Zealand’s iconic practical DNA today.
1960s–1980s
Growing, adapting, refining
As our footwear range expanded, so did our capability. We adopted new vulcanising and moulding technologies, refined materials, and produced footwear at a scale that supported thousands of New Zealanders.
Late 1980s
A difficult transition
Economic change reshaped manufacturing in New Zealand. While our Christchurch factory closed, our commitment to craftsmanship did not. To protect the future of our footwear, production moved offshore – without compromising how our boots were made.
2004
Ownership and control restored
We established our own manufacturing base in Jiangsu, China. By owning the process end‑to‑end, we ensured our boots continued to be handcrafted with the care, materials and methods as they always had been.
Today
Still handcrafted with purpose
From specialist safety and outdoor footwear to fashion‑led boots, we handcraft our footwear for people who value quality and purposeful design. Made with the same care as always and exported to customers around the world, our boots are built carefully, deliberately, and to last.
A global leader in handcrafted rubber footwear
