History
1930
In 1933 David Robertson joined his brother-in-law Mervyn Adams in his podiatry clinic in Auckland, New Zealand.
1940
Mervyn and David felt that the women's shoes sold in New Zealand were not orthopaedically good enough. So they set about measuring over 10,000 of their clients' feet. From those measurements, they created several lasts (moulds around which shoes are formed) that were the original 'Mervyn Adams' shoe lasts.
1946
David and Mervyn found a local Auckland manufacturer to make the shoes for them. Their range - known as Mervyn Adams Arch Supporting Shoes - was instantly successful and business grew.
1950
In 1950 the first Mervyn Adams shoe store was opened in Hamilton, New Zealand.
1960
The move into manufacturing the Mervyn Adams shoe range began in 1961. Adams and Robertson Shoes Ltd started out making about 300 pairs of women's shoes a week catering from narrow width to extra wide shoes.
1970
By 1973 production hit the 1,000 pairs a week mark and the company began exporting to Australia. And in 1979 Kumfs broke into the American market.
Around 1977 retailers' conferences were established. These continue today and have been pivotal in the company's success - giving retailers the opportunity to have input into the range before it's finalised.
1980
Over the first half of the 1980s, the company enjoyed tremendous growth. The factory relocated twice in the early 80s needing more space as the company grew.
Kumfs was awarded a New Zealand Trade Development Board Export Commendation.
In 1983 John Robertson took over the reigns of the company as the Managing Director of Kumfs.
1990
The 90s saw the growing importance of orthotic shoes, which have come to make up over 30% of the business.
In 1995 the first company-owned Kumfs store opened in Australia - in Parramatta Shopping Center, Sydney. All the shoes began to be marketed under the Kumfs name in 1996.
2000
On 4 August 2000 New Zealand Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Helen Clark came to officially open a new wing of the St Lukes factory.
In 2001 Kumfs received a New Zealand Government Foundation for Research Science and Technology grant to investigate the needs of customers who wear orthotic inserts. It is hoped that this research will pioneer a new generation of even more comfortable, better fitting shoes.
2002
Kumfs expanded beyond NSW in Australia, opening a franchise store in Melbourne.
2003
Andrew Robertson, one of the founder's grandsons took over the leadership of the company taking the family-owned company into the future.
2005
The first two Kumfs company-owned stores are opened in Queensland, Australia.
Kumfs also moved to new premises which is double the size of the previous location In order to keep up with international demand.
Today
Around 8,000 pairs of Kumfs are manufactured each week and supplied to over 350 retailers in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Canada and North America.
Kumfs success continues to provide comfortable women's shoes with a unique blend of fit, quality, fashion and style.