BORN IN A LAB

StepCraft is designed and created by Northwest Podiatric Laboratory, a leading custom orthotic laboratory. As part of Northwest Podiatric Laboratory, StepCraft is uniquely positioned to create insoles with unparalleled fit, comfort, and performance. Our insoles feature a proprietary shape to help align the foot and lower body to enhance biomechanical function.

Add a pair of StepCraft insoles to your favorite shoes and you’ll immediately experience a deeper connection to your day-to-day life and the activities you love - a connection that links you to 60+ years of amazing patient outcomes at Northwest Podiatric Laboratory. We call this Link2™, which is a simple representation of a powerful concept: the link or connection between your feet and amazing foot pain solutions from Northwest Podiatric Laboratory.

This connection is the result of conscious design decisions and material choices inspired by hard-earned experience crafting custom orthotics we call Link2™ Technology.

DENNIS BROWN

INVENTOR & ENTREPRENEUR

In 1964 when Dennis Brown – retired British soldier, elite athlete and natural-born inventory – bought a fledgling custom orthotics lab, he couldn’t have imagined the impact he would make on millions of people around the world.

In his over 50 years leading Northwest Podiatric Laboratory, Dennis reinvented how orthotics were made, and hand-crafted solutions for amputee war vets, invented a revolutionary casting method and pioneered a process to make orthotics out of aerospace materials…things no one else thought to do or didn’t believe could be done.

Dennis retired from Northwest Podiatric Laboratory in 2016 and passed away in 2021 at the age of 96 but his legacy of innovation lives on. The foundation for StepCraft was laid by Dennis Brown.

DR. CHRIS SMITH

PODIATRIST & PROFESSOR

In 1974, Dr. Chris Smith, a professor at the California College of Podiatric Medicine, was invited by Dennis Brown to join Northwest Podiatric Laboratory. The goal? Push the boundaries of custom orthotics further.

One of an elite group of pioneers in the emerging field of foot biomechanics, Chris brough instant credibility and invaluable knowledge to the development of products and customer care.

Chris retired from teaching and joined Northwest Podiatric Laboratory full-time in 1993. At NWPL, his unwavering passion for custom orthotics and the application of correct biomechanical principles influenced thousands and helped millions.

Chris’ steadfast belief in the ability of custom orthotics and insoles to change lives helped inspire the creation of StepCraft. Chris retired from Northwest Podiatric Laboratory in 2019.

RUBEN VALLE
CEO

Ruben has been CEO of Northwest Podiatric Laboratory since 2016. After joining NWPL in 1994 as Shipping Supervisor (and leaving for a few years to pursue full-time ministry), Ruben was handpicked to take the company into the future. Before becoming CEO, Ruben served as Production Team Coordinator, Lab Manager and General Manager.

Under the tutelage of Dr. Chris Smith and Dennis Brown, Ruben became an expert in the design and manufacturing of Northwest Podiatric Laboratory’s industry-exclusive custom orthotics. NWPL’s advanced materials, proprietary processes, and the almost impossibly high-quality standards established by Chris and Dennis presented a daunting learning curve.

As CEO, Ruben combines his intimate knowledge of custom orthotics with a heart for people to create a culture and company tailormade to improve peoples’ lives with StepCraft insoles.

STEPCRAFT VALUES

IN IT TOGETHER

Commitment woven through every action and interaction. It means we approach our work and each other with caring, compassion and a spirit of generosity.

THE HABIT OF EXCELLENCE

Commitment to being real, reliable and trustworthy in every aspect of our work. We believe excellence means delivering authentic, high-quality service, where every promise is honored.

IMPROVING ALWAYS

Commitment to a culture of constant growth and curiosity. Every day, we strive to make even the smallest improvements, aiming to be just 1% better than the day before.