Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Gresko.

Hi Ron, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are a family owned business located in western Pennsylvania. Our mission has always been to manufacture superior quality insoles with extreme comfort and cushioning at a price customers can afford. For the past 35 years we have delivered on this promise with the popular Ener-Gel Brand of insoles. In doing so, we create American jobs, purchase raw materials, equipment, and packaging from other U.S. companies. We understand that small manufacturing companies are vital to the growth and prosperity of the USA. Our company has proven through hard work and determination that premium quality products can be made right here in the United States for a terrific price that will bring value to our customers. Ener-Gel Insoles are designed to bring comfort and relief to tired, aching feet – “One Step at a Time.”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We started in our garage in 1990 and our primary focus was to enhance sports performance. Within a few years we were named a Top 10 New Product of the Year by the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. The Ener-Gel Insoles were widely used by NFL, and NCAA football and basketball teams. Our first big chain store was Dick’s Sporting Good in 1994 and that last for several years until we negotiated a deal with Walmart. For 15+ years the Ener-Gel Insoles we extremely successful and at the peak 3,400 stores nationwide carried our product. Walmart presented some challenges with required packaging changes, pricing structure, and category product location. Although sales were terrific the profit was minimal and therefore we ended our relationship although at the time Walmart was 95% of our business. Since then our focus has been promoting online sales through out website (www.energelinsole.com) and Amazon. In addition to selling to shoe/boot retail stores throughout the country we have found success contacting factory Safety Managers to enhance their overall employee Health and Wellness Programs especially where employees spend plenty of time on their feet throughout the day.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I had just met my future wife while I was working in the Pittsburgh Steelers Scouting & Player Personnel Dept. My father-in-law was an avid basketball player and after playing for several hours his feet would hurt. He tried a few items to help alleviate the pain but nothing worked and the idea to manufacture insoles to solve the problem was born. I have coached basketball for 30+ years and my two sons played Division 1 basketball. As stated previously the idea was twofold – bring relief to tired, aching feet and enhance performance with the most cushioned and comfortable insole on the market. As a small business we pride ourselves on exemplary customer service. Fortunately over the past 35 years we get very few returns but we certainly enjoy receiving phone calls, letters, and emails with incredible testimonials from satisfied customers regarding how the insoles have improved the their overall well being. Although we sponsor many organizations, our primary one is the Wounded Warrior Project – we have donated over 12,000 pairs over the years to this terrific organization. Also, within weeks after 9/11, we sent 1,000 pairs to the workers at Ground Zero who had to deal with the sharpened steel in their search efforts.
Ultimately what sets us apart is the Ener-Gel Insoles are the most cushioned and comfortable insole on the market.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Regarding insoles its an extremely competitive market and now with the number of companies that produce insoles all over the world, you must have a special quality to carve your own niche in this market.

Pricing:

• $16.99 on our website (www.energelinsole.com
• $18.99 on Amazon
• wholesale pricing is available to retail stores

Contact Info:

• Website: www.energelinsole.com
• Instagram: energelinsole
• Facebook: Ener-Gel Insoles
• Twitter: ener_gel