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By Susannah Davda | The Shoe Consultant

How can I find a shoe manufacturer?

How can I find a shoe manufacturer?

So you have your design concept. You know the gap you want to fill in the footwear market, and now you want to find a shoe manufacturer who can make your designs. Finding a shoe factory seems like it should be easy, but you feel as though you are coming up against a series of brick walls.

trying to find a shoe factory is like coming up against a series of brick walls

Your messages to footwear factories are being ignored. When you find a shoe manufacturer who seems keen, they end up ghosting you. So how do you get them to take your shoe startup seriously?

I am going to tell you some truths which might be difficult to hear, but if you want to find the right shoe factory it is better to be armed with this knowledge. In fact, by the end of reading this article, you will be in a much better position to plan your shoe factory approaches.

Here are my shoe manufacturer finding tips:

Are you ready to speak to a shoe factory?

For most shoe entrepreneurs, design is the exciting part, so you naturally want to skip straight to designing. Your next thought is “I need to find a shoe manufacturer now”. If you want to save money, time, heartache, and get shoe factories to take you seriously, you need to first assess the business opportunity. Sounds dull? It really doesn’t have to be.

Assessing the shoe business opportunity circle of shoes

Make sure you have explored the following areas in-depth before even beginning the design process, and definitely before approaching a footwear manufacturer:

  • Your customer – Who are they? What drives them to purchase shoes?
  • Your competitors – Of course you are planning to create something unique, so may not think you have direct competitors, but your customers are buying their shoes from somewhere. Where are they buying them?
  • Your sales model – How are you going to sell your products?

Still feeling a bit lost? My How to Start a Shoe Brand course guides you through the research you will need to complete to be clear on each of these elements.

What does a shoe manufacturer need to know?

Trying to get a shoe manufacturer to work with you is a bit like pitching to an investor. The shoe factory representative needs to believe in you, and your ability to develop a commercial shoe business. Some entrepreneurs are surprised when shoe makers don’t jump at the chance to work on their exciting project. In reality, most shoe manufacturers have worked with some difficult shoe startups in the past, and feel cautious about repeating that experience.

Find a shoe factory Shoe making closing room

 

Some shoe factories simply don’t have the capacity – or perhaps the inclination – to work with entrepreneurs such as yourself.

A shoe factory or footwear sourcing agent is more compelled by the size of your market, than by the tiny details of your customer’s lifestyle. These are the elements they will be most interested in at first:

  • What your product looks like, its construction and materials
  • How many styles and colours you will require
  • Projected volumes – how many pairs you think you will order from them in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth seasons
  • Target cost price – they don’t need to know your retail price – but they do need a properly calculated target cost price to work to

If the phrase “projected volumes” fills you with horror, don’t worry, you are just making educated guesses. There is a startup-friendly template for this included in the How to Start a Shoe Brand course. You also get a range planning guide to help you decide how many styles and colours to start off with, and a cost price calculator for wholesale and direct to consumer pricing.

Great, but how do I find a shoe manufacturer?

You need to know which country you want to manufacture in before starting your search. This will be based on your retail and cost price.

Find a shoe manufacturer globe

As a rough guide:

  • Luxury or premium = Europe, USA
  • Premium or mid-market = China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico
  • Value = Cambodia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia

Of course there are many exceptions; there are luxury factories in China and mid-market factories in Cambodia etc.

LinkedIn is a good place to start. Find Sourcing is also a good option.

Should I use a sourcing agent or go direct to the factory?

The How to Start a Shoe Brand course goes into much more detail on finding a shoe manufacturer including:

  • How to decide between using a sourcing agent or working directly with a factory
  • Interviews with shoe brand founders who share their tips on how to find a good shoe factory
  • A downloadable checklist of essential points you will need to find out about a manufacturer

Happy sourcing!

Susannah

About Susannah

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. michael brooks says

    Hey I have developed a tech pack for my sneakers and look to have the idea brought to life, so I can further my business. I am having a hard time finding a manufacturer and I need help.

    Reply

      • Q Michael Dixon says

        Hello I’am Q Michael Dixon I’ve been in this Industry for quite awhile doing freelance shoe designs. Found a buyer from J.c.pennys she took me to Hong Kong in 2000 found a suitable factory established Q MICHAEL’S SHOES. rented a trade show both & made our way to WSA Vegas. I managed to acquire sales federated .Whenshoe customs lost one Shoe they shipped the Shoes back to China . Time to try again .

        Reply

  4. Bero Langdon says

    Hi, I’m new in the shoe community. I have some designs and I need help finding a shoe manufacturer. Please help!

    Reply

  6. James says

    Hi Susannah my name is James I would like to know if you have list of manufacturers who can assist me with designing and manufacturing shoes for men women and kids for me please.

    Reply

    • Shannon Scott says

      Hi Susannah –

      Our company COMUNITYmade offers design, development and manufacturing nearshore. You can learn more on our website comunitymade.com under the Custom Shoe Tab. Look forward to helping in anyway we can!

      Shannon Scott
      Founder / President
      COMUNITYmade

      Reply

  7. ideas says

    What about finding someone who can mk a particular shoe if you have the picture. That if you see a picture of a shoe you like and this shoe is no longer being produced and you will like to reproduce i

    Reply

  8. Larry says

    I’m trying to start my shoe brand. I have an idea of my design and need help with getting someone to translate it into full production?

    Reply

  9. Audrey Davis says

    I’m starting a shoe line for Women. I have designs and need help with getting someone to translate it into full production?

    Reply

  10. Hyper Sk8t says

    hello i would like to start my own shoe brand, but i cant find any manufacturers. i have designs that i would like brought to life.

    Reply

  12. Jessica says

    I would like to start my own shoe business but I have no Idea where to start in picking a manufacturer? Please help.

    Reply

  13. Bronson wendruck says

    Hey I have a design with a set of unique features for my shoe design but need a manufacturer to make it motion

    Reply

  14. Christi Giarrusso says

    Hello,
    My name is Christi, I already have shoes designed. I have no idea where to go from here. I designed wedges, athletic, stilettos, and so many other styles of shoes. I need to know how to find a manufacturer, also who I can contact for textiles. Would I be better to just design for a company or should I just do my own thing? I already have my logo picked out, and I have several pair of shoes designed. So please help if you can.

    Sincerely, Christi

    Reply

  15. Emily says

    Helloo! We are in the process of designing some shoes, I was wondering if you would be able to send me more information about manufacturers please? Thanks so much
    Emily

    Reply

  16. Bonolo says

    Hello!
    I actually wanted to ask about selling ideas 💡
    What do I need to know or what should I expect from shoe manufacturers?
    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Susannah Davda says

      Hi Bonolo,
      Thank you for your question.
      Because shoe brands and manufacturers tend to have their own R&D departments, they tend not to be open to licensing ideas from external parties. In my opinion, the best way to prove that your idea is commercial is to start your own shoe brand. Successful brands get noticed by the bigger players, so you may be able to use that as a way to open doors.
      Feel free to email me susannah@shoeconsultant.co.uk if you have further questions.
      Best wishes,
      Susannah

      Reply

  17. Jazzmyn Simmons says

    Hello, I already have my shoe designed with spec for manufacturing. I am looking for a manufacturer to create the physical shoe to wear. can you help?

    Reply

  18. Boostedcar says

    Hello, I have an old worn out shoe that I want a manufacturer to use as a blueprint to make another shoe. Is this possible?

    It’s my older trainers that are discontinued. I live in UK.

    Thanks.

    Reply

  19. Thakor says

    Hi
    I realise that this is a very odd and unusual request but l need a couple of specially made shoes for my purpose. I suffered a stroke to my left side resulting in the left foot slightly bent and the instep raised. I had special soles made for better balance but when l place them in normal shoes, the shoes become tight and cannot tie the laces.l therefore require social larger shoes in which l could place these soles and wear the shoes comfortably leading to a better balance.
    I know it’s a very odd request but is there any way you could assist or know of anyone who could.
    I will very much appreciate your guidance in this respect. I can be reached on 0618829073
    Thank you for your time to read this and look forward to a positive assistance
    Kind regards
    Thakor

    Reply

    • Susannah Davda says

      Hi Thakor,
      I’m sorry to hear about your health problems. Where are you based? My bespoke shoe maker contacts are all in the UK.
      I hope you are able to find the right shoemaker for your needs.
      Best wishes,
      Susannah

      Reply

  23. Nabilah says

    Hi Susannah! Im currently rebranding my shoe line into a premium women shoe brand in Brunei. I wasnt satisfied with my first debut because of the previous manufacturer quality control
    Could you help me find a more suitable manufacturer that align with my vision as brand of environmental/vegan premium ladies shoes?

    Reply

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