Kybun and Joya to merge into the Kybun Joya Group
Roggwil/Sennwald - The Müller family is combining its two shoe companies Kybun and Joya. From this point on, they will be managed under the umbrella of the Kybun Joya Group. Joya Schuh founder Karl Müller Jr. will assume responsibility for managing the shoe business from his father Karl Müller Sr.
The two health footwear firms owned by the Müller family, Kybun und Joya, are set to be merged. According to a press release, Karl Müller Sr. is retiring six months before celebrating his 70th birthday and will pass the business and overall management responsibility down to his son Karl Müller Jr.
Müller Sr. most recently served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kybun AG. Headquartered in Roggwil in the canton of Thurgau, Kybun manufactures air-cushion shoes. Production of the shoes under the new umbrella brand Kybun-Joya is to take place primarily in Sennwald in the canton of St.Gallen, where Joya is based. According to media reports, other production locations are situated in Italy and South Korea, which is Karl Müller’s second home. As before, the group intends to develop, manufacture and distribute elastic, springy health footwear in addition to other health solutions including treadmills and mats.
According to the press release, the merger will create new synergies, allowing Kybun and Joya to carve out a stronger market position and generate higher sales. “The merger provides the foundation for a new shoe era and a strengthening of the company as the global market leader in health footwear”, the press release states. The Group’s new management team consists of Urs Koller, CEO of Kybun AG, Markus Bartholet, Production Manager, Karl Müller Jr., new Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Claudio Minder, CEO of Joya.