Aquila Shoes
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Footwear manufacturing |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | Antonio Longo |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand |
| Products | Men's shoes, menswear, fashion accessories |
| Owner | Blue Sky Alternative Investments (70% as of 2016) |
Aquila Shoes is an Australian footwear manufacturer established in 1958 by Antonio Longo, an Italian immigrant who arrived in Australia in 1949.
History
The origins of Aquila Shoes trace back to 1958, when Italian-style men's shoes were crafted in a modest workshop located in Melbourne.
On 1 December 1964, the company inaugurated a factory in North Fitzroy, Melbourne, which at full production capacity produced 100,000 pairs annually. In 1969, Aquila intended to pursue a backdoor listing on the Melbourne Stock Exchange.
The brand's inaugural retail outlet launched in 1975 within Melbourne's central business district, shortly followed by another store in Sydney that same year. Over the following decades, Aquila extended its presence throughout Australia and New Zealand. After founder Tony Longo passed away in 1989, his sons assumed control of the enterprise.
In 2012, the company broadened its product range to include menswear and fashion accessories.
By 2016, Aquila had doubled its number of stores through expansion efforts and a collaboration that introduced in-store concessions within the department store chain Myer. That year also saw Blue Sky Alternative Investments acquire a 70% ownership stake for A$25.2 million.
As of 2022, Aquila operated a total of 55 outlets across major cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. In November 2022, the owners initiated discussions regarding a possible sale of the business.