In 1945, Lorenz Wagner began again – with no raw materials and with out-of-date equipment, but with a full measure of optimism. From 1948 onwards, he and his co-workers (the workforce was, unfortunately, still not at full strength) produced a comprehensive range of footwear, from the double-stitched mountaineering boots to ski boots and lightweight "California" sandals. The brothers, who had founded their own shoemaking businesses before the war in nearby villages, now became serious competitors – an additional spur for Lorenz Wagner to become even bigger and even better. The competition between Lorenz, Hans and Adolf bred three different brands – LOWA, Hanwag and Hochland.