1983

Al Gallegos gets an idea: put a coil in a running shoe!

1985

Al puts his idea into action, ordering 200 sets of conical steel coils.

1988

Al cobbles together his first pair of coil shoes. Over the next five years, he continues to create prototype coil footwear for friends and family while searching for a willing manufacturer.

1993

At last, Al finds a manufacturing partner in Mr. Yong Oh Lee of South Korea.

1994

During the next four years, Mr. Lee generates over 2000 prototypes.

1995

Al files a patent for his first marketable Z-Tech Z-01 Recoil, “the best running shoe ever.” His son, Andrés Gallegos, a pharmaceutical product manager, joins him in business and holds Z-Tech, Inc.’s first private stock offering.

1996

Z-Tech, Inc. opens its first retail location in Albuquerque.

1997

Production begins on the Z-02 footwear series. A second private stock offering is held.

1998

Al and Andrés notice that more working people than runners are buying their shoes. A third private stock offering is held.

1999

Advances in technology make the built-in Z-Orthotic™ possible, bringing the model Z-03 to life.

2000

Realizing the value of the footwear’s pain relief virtues, Andrés redefines the company’s focus and launches its flagship product under the Z-CoiL® name: the Freedom 2000.

2001

Demand for Z-Tech stock reaches a fevered pitch. Sales increase 475% over the previous year. Z-CoiL expands its facilities and staff

2002

Z-CoiL® footwear sales increase 260% over the previous year.

2003

Z-CoiL reports its first profitable year as sales increase 139% over 2002 revenues. Due to rapid growth, Z- CoiL expands its facilities further. Up to 13 new styles are introduced.

2004

Z-CoiL® footwear sales increase 70% over the previous year. In order to support its growing distribution network, Z-CoiL again expands its facility space and staff.

2005

Poised for the continued expansion of its distribution network, Z-CoiL launches a franchise program. In celebration of “A Decade of Pain Relief,” the company offers a limited-edition 10th Anniversary shoe.

2007

Z-CoiL further expands its distribution channel to include Affiliate Vendors, which include high-end comfort shoe stores and other complementary retailers that excel in customer service and fitting.

2010

In response to market pressures, Z-CoiL reverses its long-standing policy of no telephone or internet sales and launches Online/Telephone Ordering in conjunction with a revolutionary 30-Day Risk-Free Trial policy.