1/14/08

Shoes made in Spain, focused on the high-end product

The past few years have been challenging for the footwear market — China has captured the vast majority of the moderate segment and a strong euro is hampering the U.S. export business. Yet, there are a number of upscale brands, including Stuart Weitzman, Paco Gil, Pedro García and El Naturalista, which remain loyal to producing in Spain.

"The market niche Spain has carved out is very strong," said Peter Mangione, president of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America Association. "Given their narrow fashion women’s focus, they’ve done pretty well."

El Naturalista, a Spanish comfort brand that exported 100,000 pairs of shoes to the U.S. in 2007, continues to manufacture in Quel, located in Spain’s La Rioja province. De la Peña, CEO of El Naturalista said it would be difficult to find another location that would match the company’s philosophy of being environmentally friendly, operating under ethical working conditions and being able to control the quality of its goods. As he said: "Money is not our only goal. For us, it’s pretty simple. Manufacture in Spain."

Stuart Weitzman has a similar mantra. The American designer has been manufacturing in Spain for more than 30 years, and today, 95 percent of his product is still made in the Alicante region. The craftspeople in Weitzman’s factories boast anywhere from five to 35 years of experience — and that’s a big factor in his affinity for Spain. "[They] have grown up having a feel for footwear," Weitzman said.

Magnanni Inc. President Pascual Blanco agreed that the loyal, skilled labor force is one of Spain’s biggest assets. "When you go to a country like Morocco, China or India, you don’t have the people who have been in the business for 45 or 50 years manufacturing shoes. And that’s the advantage of manufacturing shoes in Italy or Spain or France. You have the people who have all this experience and you can learn from them," said Blanco. He also agreed that it would be difficult to replicate the Spain experience.

Pedro García is another brand staying true to its Spanish heritage. "We believe in the craftsman, they have their hand in what we want," said Andreas Kurz, spokesman for the Elda, Spain-made brand.