Yes, Woodland is an Indian company. It was established in India in the year 1992 by Aero Group, a company founded in Quebec, Canada by an Indian migrant. Woodland operates in India under a subsidiary of Aero Group, named Woodland Worldwide. The brand offers an extensive line of footwear, performance apparel, outdoor gear, and accessories. Its products are known for their durability, adventure-focused designs, and eco-friendly innovations.
Woodland’s product portfolio includes high-quality footwear like trekking shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals, along with performance apparels like jackets, and accessories like backpacks, belts, wallets, and caps. The company is known for its sustainability initiatives like using biodegradable materials, recycled rubber, and renewable energy sources like solar panels for production.
| Details | Info |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Avtar Singh |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| CEO | Harkirat Singh |
| Sector | Footwear, Apparel, Accessories |
Company History
Woodland was established in the year 1992 by Aero Group, a shoe manufacturer founded in the 1950s by Avtar Singh in Quebec, Canada. Aero Group commenced operations by manufacturing leather shoes and, by 1960s, it was exporting high-quality leather shoes to Russia and Eastern Europe. Woodland was launched in India by Aero Group in the year 1992.
Woodland positioned itself as a premium brand of footwear tailored for outdoor adventures like hiking and trekking. The brand introduced hand-stitched leather shoes with durable rubber soles in the Indian footwear market. Woodland soon expanded its product offerings to outdoor apparels like jackets and shirts, and accessories like backpacks and belts.
By the first decade of the 21st century, Woodland had expanded its distribution network to over 500 exclusive retail outlets and over 4800 multi-brand retail stores in India. The brand also expanded its presence to international markets during the 2000s.
Current Status
Woodland maintains a strong retail network in India and over 40 countries in Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America. The company has bolstered its online brand presence through its own dedicated online store and partnerships with e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon.
Woodland operates manufacturing facilities in India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Canada, China, and Bangladesh. The facilities have in-house leather tanning units for quality control. Woodland continues to position itself as a premium brand of outdoor footwear, performance apparel, and accessories.
Future Outlook
Woodland is looking to expand to emerging markets in Asia and Africa, while increasing its presence in Europe and North America. The company is expected to continue product innovations like eco-friendly designs and weather resistance to sustain customer loyalty in the face of competition from other brands.
Woodland is likely to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies and smart retail solutions like AI-driven inventory management to boost efficiency. Furthermore, it is likely to expand its eco-friendly practices to meet sustainability goals.