ZAGO: Over 60 Years of Excellence in Direct Injection Footwear Moulds

Since 1958, ZAGO has combined tradition, innovation, and precision to become one of the world’s leading producers of footwear moulds. From its origins in glass moulds to its international reputation in direct injection technologies, the company has always pursued one goal: to deliver moulds that guarantee healthier, safer, and more comfortable walking.

From Glass to Footwear: A Journey of Innovation

When Elio Zago founded the company in 1958, it specialised in moulds for automated glass-blowing machines. By the 1960s, the business shifted its expertise to the footwear industry, starting with TR-PVC soles and later pioneering PU direct injection moulds.

This bold transition allowed ZAGO to build a reputation as a pioneer in the mould sector, combining flexibility with meticulous accuracy — values that still guide the company today.

Leading Products for the World’s Footwear Brands

More than six decades later, ZAGO’s flagship products include:

• Injection moulds for RUBBER-PU materials, combining abrasion resistance and lightness, ideal for law enforcement, armed forces, and trekking footwear.

• Injection moulds for TPU-PU materials, designed for colourful soles with excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, and lightness.

• Injection moulds for PU-PU and RUBBER-PU safety boots, widely used in healthcare and food industries where medium-to-high protection is required.

• Injection moulds for PU leisure and outdoor footwear, supporting the growing demand for casual and outdoor categories.

To help customers choose, ZAGO groups its solutions into six categories:
Safety | Workplace
Trekking | Uneven Ground
Casual | Everyday Walk
Outdoor | Outdoor Sport
Defence | Tactical Situations
Boot | Thermo-Grip Environments

Each category is produced with the most advanced CAD-CAM applications, CNC milling, and innovative finishing techniques.

Excellence Forged Through Challenges

ZAGO’s journey has not been without challenges. From the 2008–2010 financial crisis to the recent global health emergency, the company has faced obstacles requiring resilience, creativity, and innovation.

One of the greatest milestones was becoming a Business 4.0 company, implementing intelligent, interconnected production systems and collaborative robotics. These upgrades have improved performance, automated monitoring, reduced waste, and accelerated delivery times.

Global Partnerships and a Customer-First Philosophy

Over the years, ZAGO has moved from being an exclusive supplier to a few companies to building a diverse global client base. Today, it serves at least 20 leading international footwear brands, adapting to different technologies and needs with agility and precision.

At the heart of ZAGO’s mission is customer satisfaction. Every mould is designed to guarantee that the end user experiences the healthiest, safest, and most comfortable walk possible — whether it’s in the workplace, on a mountain trail, or in a tactical environment.

Looking Ahead: Innovation with Curiosity and Determination

Asked to describe ZAGO in one word, Giorgio Zago replies: excellence. It is this value that continues to guide the company into the future.

Looking ahead, ZAGO remains committed to:

• Continuous innovation, maintaining top quality across all moulds.

• Ongoing training and professional development, ensuring the team stays aligned with technological advancements.

• Expanding partnerships, supporting footwear brands worldwide with customised moulding solutions.

Conclusion: The Art of the Walk, Made in Italy

From its origins in Veneto to its global leadership today, ZAGO has proven that excellence is not achieved overnight but forged through decades of dedication and innovation. By combining tradition and cutting-edge technologies, ZAGO remains the Italian reference point for the world’s footwear industry.

Looking for moulds that ensure safety, comfort, and performance? Trust ZAGO — where every mould is a step toward excellence.