Lema Samter is an experienced procurement manager and a veteran in the shoe industry. He has been in the business for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in sourcing and finding good shoe suppliers. One of his main strengths is his ability to quickly identify reliable and high-quality suppliers and negotiate with them to get the best deal possible.

Regarding finding a good sneaker factory, Lema Samter suggests that getting as much information as possible about the factory is important. He has a few key tips to share:

1. Research the sneaker factory‘s reputation and track record.

It would help if you looked at a variety of sources. Start by looking at the factory’s website and social media accounts, where you can find information about their production methods, materials, and other relevant details. It is also important to know what big brands the running shoe factory works with because this can give you an idea of their reliability and quality. Working with a big brand means the factory must meet certain standards regarding product quality, production capabilities, customer service, etc.

Additionally, you can search online databases and public records to investigate any legal or financial issues the factory may have had.Finally, you can contact the factory directly to ask questions and contact industry organizations and other relevant parties to get an idea of their reputation and track record.

2. Ensure the sneaker manufacturer has experience producing the type you want.

To ensure the sneaker factory has experience producing the type of sneaker you are looking for, you should research the factory and its history. It is important to look at a sneaker company’s website’s “About Us” page to understand its history and mission and learn more about the people running the business.

We should choose a athletic shoe factory with at least 25 years of history because this shows that the factory has established a track record of reliability and quality and has a good reputation. Working with a factory with a long history also means that the factory has a strong understanding of the market and experience delivering high-quality products. Additionally, the factory likely has a good understanding of the latest trends and technologies, which can be beneficial for producing the latest designs.

3. Look for a sneaker factory instead of a sneaker trading company

Don’t look for sneaker suppliers with “trading” and “import and export” in their company name. Choosing a sneaker factory instead of a sneaker trading company is beneficial because it allows you to control the production process. When you work with a sneaker supplier, you can ensure that the materials used, the shoes’ design and the end product’s quality all meet your specifications.

Additionally, working with a running shoe factory can be more cost-effective than working with a trading company, as you are dealing directly with the source and don’t have to pay extra fees for an intermediary. What’s more, when you work with a sports shoe factory, you can ensure that ethical sourcing practices and environmental standards are met and that the production process is transparent and efficient.

4. Verify that the factory meets your quality standards.

You should visit the sport shoe manufacturer in person. Visiting the factory in person is important because it allows you to get a firsthand look at the production process and the materials’ quality. When visiting the factory, you should pay attention to the layout of the factory, the safety standards in place, the cleanliness of the workspace, the quality of the materials being used, and the processes in place to ensure quality control. Additionally, you should ask questions and talk to the staff to get a better understanding of the company。

Suppose you are looking for an overseas private label shoe manufacturer to produce shoes for you and can’t see the factory in person. In that case, you can prefer a sneaker manufacturer in China.

Chinese sneaker factories have several advantages over factories in Vietnam, India and other countries.
Chinese factories have a long history of producing high-quality goods.
They have established a reputation for reliable production and quality control.Chinese factories have more experience producing complex products and have a wider range of materials available.
Chinese sport shoe factories have a more developed infrastructure. They can provide more comprehensive services, such as product design and after-sales.Chinese running shoe factories have lower labour costs, which makes them more cost-effective than sneaker factories in Italy and USA. So you see a lot of Nike shoes and Adidas shoes are made in China

5. Get a sample of the product before committing to an order.

It is important to get a sample of the product from the sneaker manufacturer before committing to an order to ensure that the product meets your expectations in terms of quality and performance. The sample will allow you to check the craftsmanship and materials used and any details that may be important for your product. Additionally, it will give you an idea of the factory’s turnaround time and any service packages that may come with the order. Getting a sample is also a chance to verify the product’s quality and ensure it meets any necessary standards or requirements.

6. Get a timeline for production and delivery.

Getting a timeline for production and delivery from a sneaker supplier is important in order to accurately plan and ensure that the product is delivered on time. Knowing how long it will take to produce a sneaker order will help you budget and manage the project timeline effectively. Additionally, having a factory timeline will help you identify any potential delays or issues so that you can plan accordingly.

7. Ask about their production capacity and turnaround times.

Asking the sneaker factory about their production capacity and turnaround times is important to ensure that you can meet the timelines and expectations of your customers. Knowing the production capacity of the factory will help you to plan and budget for orders and also help you to identify potential delays or issues. Additionally, understanding the production turnaround time will help you plan for delivery and ensure that your customers receive their orders on time.

8. Check that the sneaker supplier complies with applicable laws and regulations.

Checking that the sneaker vendor complies with applicable laws and regulations is important to ensure that their products are safe and meet all necessary standards. The best way to check that a factory is compliant is to research the applicable laws and regulations and then ask the factory for evidence that they comply. This evidence could include compliance certificates, safety records, or compliance plans. It would be best to consider auditing the factory to ensure it follows the laws and regulations.