On Monday, the 25th of November 2024, the Prüf- und Forschungsinstitut Pirmasens e.V. welcomed an experience exchange group from ZUSA Switzerland, the purchasing cooperative for independent shoe retailers. The participants were given an in-depth tour of the PFI and gained fascinating insights into its work.
The event began with an presentation by Institute Director Dr Kerstin Schulte. Steffen Eichhorn, Head of Department at the International Shoe Competence Centre (ISC), then gave a guided tour of the ISC's learning factory. Here, visitors were able to experience hands-on how modern manufacturing processes work in shoe production and how training participants are taught the interplay between theory and practice.
Insights into physical and chemical tests
The tour then continued to the PFI laboratories. In the physical laboratory, the participants were given an insight into the load and material tests that ensure the quality and durability of shoes and materials. Test procedures for abrasion resistance, bending stress and tear resistance were shown, among other things.
In the chemical laboratory, where Dr Ines Anderie, Head of the Chemistry Department, gave a guided tour, the focus was on analyses of material composition. The guests were particularly impressed by the analysis for harmful substances such as chromium(VI) or softeners.
The tour offered ZUSA Switzerland participants a comprehensive overview of PFI's expertise and showed how scientific research and practice go hand in hand to fulfil the requirements of the footwear industry.