In recent years, China's production of safety shoes has experienced remarkable growth. Today, the country stands as the world's largest producer and exporter of safety footwear. However, after over three decades of rapid expansion, the industry has encountered several challenges along the way. One of the most pressing issues is the shrinking international market for export-oriented safety shoes. As global brands continue to use their own labels, the "Made in China" tag that was once common on these products is increasingly being replaced by "Made in Indonesia" or "Made in Vietnam."
This shift is partly due to trade protection measures such as anti-dumping policies imposed by major market countries, which have put significant downward pressure on the Chinese safety shoe industry. Several large manufacturers have shut down, with some companies in Dongguan, a key production hub, facing severe financial difficulties. For instance, a safety shoe company in Shek Pai with over 1,000 employees collapsed, leaving suppliers unpaid for nearly 10 million yuan and sparking widespread concern within the industry.
The ongoing struggles are also evident in the statements from listed safety shoe companies. At a shareholders' meeting in late May, the largest domestic safety shoe company disclosed its second-quarter sales figures to analysts, revealing that same-store sales growth would slow further than in the first quarter. This signals a growing sense of uncertainty and weakness in the sector.
While Southeast Asian countries have gained a competitive edge, particularly through lower labor costs, they still cannot fully replace China’s position as the global manufacturing hub for safety shoes. Most Southeast Asian nations are small or medium-sized, and their capacity to absorb large-scale industrial transfers remains limited. Additionally, their safety shoe industries lack the comprehensive supply chains that China has built over the years. For example, while many Southeast Asian countries focus on garment and shoe assembly, they often lack essential upstream industries such as rubber planting and processing.
Infrastructure development in these regions also lags behind, which hinders the growth of their manufacturing sectors. Despite these challenges, China still holds a strong position in the global safety footwear market.
However, the industry must now confront the need for transformation and upgrading. The machinery industry plays a crucial role in this process. After nearly two decades of imitation, adaptation, and innovation, China’s leather and shoe-making machinery sector has developed advanced equipment tailored to local conditions. With new technologies, materials, and designs, it now offers cost-effective, practical, and efficient production solutions that support the continuous development of the leather footwear industry.
By investing in technology and improving efficiency, China can maintain its leadership in the global safety shoe market while adapting to new challenges.
Guangdong Kinen Sanitary Ware Industrial Co.,Ltd. , https://www.kinengroup.com