{"id":511,"date":"2026-09-22T13:17:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T11:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/?page_id=511"},"modified":"2026-09-22T16:02:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T14:02:26","slug":"mephisto-portugal-celebrates-its-founders-90th-birthday","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/en\/mephisto-portugal-celebrates-its-founders-90th-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"MEPHISTO Portugal celebrates its founder\u2019s 90th birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-right:0;margin-left:0\">On 6 August, all employees of MEPHISTO\u2019s company in Viana do Castelo gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of the company\u2019s founder, Martin Michaeli. Although he was unable to attend, around 300 employees from the company\u2019s facility in the Neiva Industrial Zone gathered outside the factory to enjoy the occasion together and wish Martin Michaeli a happy birthday. He had turned 90 on 4 July.<\/p>\n<cite><strong><br>A AURORA DO LIMA.<\/strong> | Published in august 2026<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"710\" src=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c13bef52-a26f-4df8-9933-d1ab111c157a-3-1024x710.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c13bef52-a26f-4df8-9933-d1ab111c157a-3-1024x710.png 1024w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c13bef52-a26f-4df8-9933-d1ab111c157a-3-300x208.png 300w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c13bef52-a26f-4df8-9933-d1ab111c157a-3-767x532.png 767w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c13bef52-a26f-4df8-9933-d1ab111c157a-3.png 1431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ad55c42b-2b59-40a5-926d-8ba267817138-768x1024-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ad55c42b-2b59-40a5-926d-8ba267817138-768x1024-1.png 768w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ad55c42b-2b59-40a5-926d-8ba267817138-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ad55c42b-2b59-40a5-926d-8ba267817138.png 1086w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The footwear factory has been based in Viana for 39 years and works directly for the group. Manuel C\u00e2ndido, the company\u2019s Finance Director in Portugal, recounted the history of the brand, which began in 1965 in the French town of Sarrebourg. \u201cThe brand was founded with a clear objective: to create the most comfortable footwear in the world by combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technological innovations,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time, Martin Michaeli used the savings he had accumulated in the United States to open a small factory in France with 30 employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the mid-1970s, the \u201cORIGINALS\u201d model, harmoniously combining fashion with contemporary design, propelled the brand to international recognition, helping it establish itself in markets including Germany, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By 1975, MEPHISTO was already exporting 85% of its production. According to a company source, \u201cfootwear produced by MEPHISTO is available in around 86 countries across five continents and is sold through approximately 18,000 points of sale worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1995, French President Fran\u00e7ois Mitterrand awarded Martin Michaeli the insignia of Knight of the National Order of Merit. In 2000, President Jacques Chirac awarded him France\u2019s highest distinction, the Legion of Honour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1999, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year from among 11,000 independent entrepreneurs in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MEPHISTO established its operations in Viana do Castelo in 1987.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe strategic decision to choose Portugal was based on the excellent skills of the workforce, the ability to respond quickly to small production runs and the logistical advantages for serving the European market,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, the Neiva site also includes an official outlet store that is open to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Martin Michaeli sent a message that was read out to the employees. Among his words, he said: \u201cThe work we have accomplished together, the challenges we have faced and the projects we have shared over the years have enriched my life. You have become my friends and, in a way, members of my family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">The founder of the MEPHISTO Group added: \u201cI want to tell you how proud I am of our company in Portugal, of each and every one of you, and of your daily commitment, dedication and involvement. Let us continue to share wonderful moments together and support one another, because that is what makes life truly worth living.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1448\" height=\"1086\" data-id=\"586\" src=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/733a5da3-8cb1-455a-8fb9-ed0d7bd91d3d-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/733a5da3-8cb1-455a-8fb9-ed0d7bd91d3d-1.png 1448w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/733a5da3-8cb1-455a-8fb9-ed0d7bd91d3d-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/733a5da3-8cb1-455a-8fb9-ed0d7bd91d3d-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/733a5da3-8cb1-455a-8fb9-ed0d7bd91d3d-1-1024x768.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1448px) 100vw, 1448px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3c9e285a-f27d-426c-b0fd-8e0738368d7a-1-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3c9e285a-f27d-426c-b0fd-8e0738368d7a-1-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3c9e285a-f27d-426c-b0fd-8e0738368d7a-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3c9e285a-f27d-426c-b0fd-8e0738368d7a-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3c9e285a-f27d-426c-b0fd-8e0738368d7a-1.png 1448w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-accent-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-accent-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background-color has-base-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4319a73f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1d0a7695 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><h1 class=\"wp-block-site-title has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/en\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"home\"> MARTIN MICHAELI &#8211; A success story<\/a><\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a9 Copyright 2026 Martin Michaeli | Alle Rechte vorbehalten<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On 6 August, all employees of MEPHISTO\u2019s company in Viana do Castelo gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of the company\u2019s founder, Martin Michaeli. Although he was unable to attend, around 300 employees from the company\u2019s facility in the Neiva Industrial Zone gathered outside the factory to enjoy the occasion together and wish Martin Michaeli [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-511","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.5","language":"en","enabled_languages":["de","fr","en"],"languages":{"de":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"fr":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>MEPHISTO Portugal celebrates its founder\u2019s 90th birthday - MARTIN MICHAELI - A success story<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/martinmichaeli.com\/mephisto-portugal-celebrates-its-founders-90th-birthday\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MEPHISTO Portugal celebrates its founder\u2019s 90th birthday - 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