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THE STORY OF HOPE AND DREAM
A shoemaker by profession, René Cléon enlisted on the front lines during World War II. He was taken prisoner in 1940 during the Battle of France and spent five years imprisoned in a Stalag in Germany, where he continued to model small leather shoes in his spare time. Probably with the hope of returning to his homeland soon: the idea of starting his own shoe-making workshop was gaining momentum.
At the end of the war, in 1945, in the weeks after his return, he formed a team of apprentices and purchased his first sewing and assembling machines. The story begins in the family home in La Romagne, with a specialization on Kneipp sewn patterns. As the business grows, a factory is built.
In 1988, the KLEMAN brand (a contraction of Cléon Manufacture) is officially launched. Cléon then becomes a supplier to several French public administrations that trust its know-how. The company wins increasingly important tenders: first for the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer (the French national railway company), then for Air France, then for customs personnel, some fire departments, and even the French army.
SAFETY SHOES
Initially reserved for trades seeking safety, sturdiness and quality, most of the French company’s iconic models comply with ISO EN-20347, thus allowing for extra assurance through non-slip, abrasion resistance and the choice of non-harmful materials.
Even today, KLEMAN shoes survive the effects of fashion by offering a raw and authentic unisex style (today, actually, visible even on the catwalks).
MADE IN FRANCE
With a heritage of more than 75 years, the Cléon manufacture is recognized for its technical know-how and its high standards in terms of the quality and harmless of raw materials. “Making shoes in France is an integral part of our family history. But it is also and above all a commitment to support and perpetuate the French know-how which is tending to disappear”, they say from the company.
The Cléon manufacture employs nearly 45 people in its workshop located in La Romagne (Maine-et-Loire). Men and women with confident and precise gestures craft the shoes that the internal style team designed in the offices next door.
SUSTAINABLE TOUCH
In recent years, Kleman has taken a step further in sustainability by mostly using European leathers from tanneries audited by the Leather Working Group:
We have selected, tested and validated the most advanced materials in terms of harmlessness and respect for the environment, while guaranteeing European components and a demanding manufacturing process in our factory.
So, their impact is considerably reduced thanks to eco-friendly tanning processes that use less water and energy.
An understated and functional work shoe that today dresses a new generation of talented city dwellers around the world. KLEMAN offers the professional shoe as a true accessory to timeless style.
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