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By Susannah Davda | The Shoe Consultant

Goral: a thriving UK shoe factory

Goral: a thriving UK shoe factory

Are you interested in making your footwear in a UK shoe factory? We don’t make as many pairs here as we did in the past, but we still have excellent UK shoe factories.

Closing room Goral shoe factory

Why choose a UK shoe factory?

There are lots of reasons why manufacturing locally is a good idea:

  • Development travel costs will be reduced.
  • You can easily get to the factory to check on an order.
  • Communication will be smooth, with no time-difference delays.
  • An increase in nationalistic feeling amongst your customers means they’re more likely to look for, and be emotionally connected to the ‘Made in England’ mark.
  • You won’t need to factor import duties into your pricing, making your products more affordable to the UK consumer (or your profits higher!) Of course, you’ll need to consider export duties if you’re selling internationally.

Lasts Goral UK shoe factory

  • ‘Made in England’ is a recognised mark of quality in many countries. You can even receive help from Department for International Trade to help you start exporting.
  • Manufacturing and selling locally can reduce transport emissions, increasing your company’s sustainability credentials.
  • It’s easier to know workers are being treated properly when you can visit the factory regularly. You also have access to information on UK employment laws and minimum wages.

I recently visited the Goral shoe factory in Sheffield, UK. The Goral family have been making shoes since 1936. Originally from Poland, they decided to bring their expertise to Sheffield. Moving from their first Sheffield factory to the larger facility I visited, Goral run a slick and successful shoe-making operation.

Goral shoe factory building exterior Sheffield UK

Goral produce their own range of men’s shoes. They also make uppers or finished products for many high end men’s and women’s brands. Minimums are 100 pairs per style and 50 per colour.

Goral shoes trainers Chelsea boot hiking boot

If you like machinery as I do, Goral have some beautiful pieces of equipment. Check these out!

Blue machine shoe making

Everything is so clean and well-kept. In my opinion, the best shoe factories are organised ones.

Shoe making machine

Who doesn’t love a big pink sanding and buffing machine?

Pink sanding buffing machine

Goral currently make cemented and sidewall-stitched cup-sole construction shoes. They’re planning to offer blake-sewn construction soon.

They specialise in flat shoes, or low block heels. From Chelsea boots to hiking boots, trainers and loafers.

Goral shoe factory hiking boot Chelsea trainers

This women’s smoking slipper is a signature style:

Women's smoking slipper loafer shoe

I loved watching Goral’s expert shoe-makers at work. If you’ve ever attempted to operate an industrial sewing machine, you’ll know the closing room technicians are particularly talented.

Shoe making closing room

If you’re considering making your shoes here in the UK, take a trip through the Peak District countryside to visit Goral in Sheffield.

Sheffield water feature sheaf square

You can contact Goral here.

 

UK or elsewhere?

If you’re struggling to decide whether UK manufacturing is an option for your footwear brand, I can help you make this important decision.

Find out more about the services I offer, and get in touch to book your free 30 minute consultation. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Susannah Davda The Shoe Consultant

Back to Shoe News | The Shoe Consultant

About Susannah Davda

I am a professional shoe consultant providing shoe consultancy to startups and established businesses. I enjoy nothing more than working with businesses on a one to one basis and helping them achieve the success they crave. Learn more about how I can help your shoe business.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elena says

    July 20, 2020 at 10:37 pm

    Hello

    I would like to know the estimates for doing my shoes.
    I have part of the material as sole, innasole, lasts… At the moment they have given me prices in Spain as the soles and materials are from them. However I am keen to know what about making them here in UK? I a base in South London.

    Thank you.

    I am looking forward to hearing from you.

    Elena Esther Ako-Adjei

    Reply
    • Susannah Davda says

      July 21, 2020 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks for your comment Elena.

      There are very few women’s shoe factories in the UK, so depending on your price-points, Spain or Portugal could be better options if you’re making women’s products. Goral have made women’s products but only in large bulk quantities rather than start-up size runs.

      Feel free to drop me an email if you need additional help.

      Reply
  2. Aaliyah says

    September 16, 2021 at 6:02 pm

    Hi,
    I’m looking to produce my own designed heels it has some unique features that will be built into the shoe I was wondering is this something you could possibly do and if not is there any other manufactures you could point me in their direction to help me out.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Susannah Davda says

      September 20, 2021 at 9:58 am

      Hi Aaliyah,

      Thanks for getting in touch. 

      I don’t run a factory. I’m a consultant helping people to start shoe brands and find manufacturers. 

      I believe you would benefit from my How to Start a Shoe Brand online course. It’s a comprehensive working guide which will set you up for launch. 

      Along with essential templates and worksheets, the course is packed with video content including guidance from me and many other industry experts, freelance shoe designers and shoe brand founders. There is a whole module about finding a manufacturer.

      Please do let me know if you have any questions about the How to Start a Shoe Brand course.  

      If your budget doesn’t currently stretch to the course, I would like to invite you to join The Shoe Community. There you will find a recording of my 45 minute How to Find a Shoe Manufacturer masterclass.

      If you have any questions, please let me know.

      Thanks and best wishes,

      Susannah

      Reply

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