Richard Kottler CEO BF
A A BFA initiative by Richard Kottler
making five million pairs. However, these bald statistics hide another story. All producers are currently working flat out to satisfy the increasing demand for British made goods and the Northamptonshire factories continue to set the benchmark for high grade men's welted products. Churchs, Crockett & Jones, Barkers, John Lobb, Sanders & Sanders,
T
Cheaneys and Trickers amogst others are making solid progress and Loake has recently won the coveted Mens Footwear prize at the Drapers Footwear Awards. It is also interesting to note that the two biggest manufacturers of
shoes in the UK are directly competing with so called low cost countries and succeeding. Both Hotter, which accounts for nearly one in three of all shoes made in the UK and New Balance are reaping the rewards from making considerable investment in equipment and staff. In addition, it is heartening to see that in the last two years, there have been at least three small making units starting up. Many producers are actively recruiting both skilled people
(mainly from Europe) and apprentices and staff training is the hot ticket at the moment. The biggest gap is for quality ladies manufacture. With the shining
exception of Gina who have just moved into a new, well equipped factory in London and Florida who have upped the local production of Van Dal product, there are virtually no factories capable of filling the continual and pent up demand from our designer brands who would love to make their product here and not in Italy, Spain or the Far East. There is a real opportunity here for some courageous and enterprising entrepreneur.
, Chief Executive, British Footwear Association
he UK footwear manufacturing sector has been talked down for many years, but lately, things have started to change. This will not get us back to the 1960’s when the industry had 100,000 people making making 200 million pairs. Now there are 4,500 people
The BFA continues to match-make between British manufacturers and brands wanting the highly desirable “Made in Britain” label so much in demand across world markets.
The BFA has researched and identified a number of manufacturers who are producing an amazing variety of styles, often using British made components and who are prepared to produce footwear for other labels. As a result of introductions made by the BFA, many of them are now working with well- known brands and retailers on exclusive ranges.
Not all manufacturers make all their footwear in the UK. Some companies finish/attach their footwear in Britain, but the component parts are all made and put together in other countries, which still allows them to have a Made In UK status.
To find out more about Made In Britain footwear companies and the type of constructions available, the specialties of each factory and their contact details, please visit
http://www.britishfootwearassociation.co.uk/
,
34 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
• JUNE/JULY 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56