Hello, my name Jill Qinren. I am a purchasing manager for a large shoe company and have been doing this job for 15 years.

My job is to find good shoe companies to produce shoes for us because we don’t have our own factories.

All of our products are made by factories in China. There are many shoe factories in China, and they produce good quality shoes at low cost and on-time delivery.

Recently, a friend planned to run a shoe business. He asked me: how to find a shoe company to manufacture shoes for me.

Other friends of mine have also asked this question. For them, finding a shoe manufacturer is a very difficult task.

Finding a shoe company to manufacture shoes for you is not very difficult. Here are some of my experiences. If you follow these steps, you will easily find a right shoe supplier.

1. Research and make a list of potential manufacturers:

You can start by searching online for domestic and international shoe manufacturers. Look for manufacturers with experience producing the type of shoe you want to create and a good reputation for quality and delivery.
●Utilize search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo to find shoe manufacturers specializing in the type of shoes you want to create. For example, you can search “shoe manufacturer in UK“, “shoe factory in Turkey” and so on.
●Use industry-specific databases, such as ThomasNet and Alibaba, to find manufacturers with experience in your market segment.
●Check online forums, social media groups, and trade associations for recommendations from other shoe entrepreneurs or industry professionals.
●You can participate in shoe trade show and exhibitions. For example, Canton Fair, FFANY, MICAM Milano. You can find many new products at trade fairs and meet potential shoe suppliers.
●Search for their company website on Google. You must choose a shoe company with an official website and the company has been established for at least 20 years.

2. Contact the manufacturers:

Reach out to the manufacturers on your list by email, phone, or through their website contact form.
You should provide details about your project, including the type of shoes you want to create, your desired quantities, and any specific requirements you have (e.g., materials, design, packaging).
●Prepare a professional introduction email or phone script that overviews your project, including the type of shoes you want to create, quantities, design, materials, and other requirements.
●Personalize each email or phone call to each manufacturer, highlighting why their company specifically aligns with your needs.
●Make sure to include your contact information, email, and phone number, in your initial outreach.

3. Evaluate the quotes:

Once you receive quotes from several manufacturers, compare the prices, production lead times, minimum order quantities, and other relevant terms. This will help you determine which manufacturer best fits your needs.
●Create a spreadsheet to compare the quotes from each manufacturer, including the following columns: price, production lead time, minimum order quantity, payment terms, and any additional costs (e.g., shipping, customs, and taxes).
●Take note of non-negotiable terms, such as minimum order quantities, that may impact your decision.
●Consider reaching out to manufacturers for clarification or negotiation on any terms or costs that are unclear or not aligned with your needs.

4. Check references and visit the factory:

Before making a final decision, it’s a good idea to check references and visit the footwear factory. This will allow you to see the manufacturing process, meet the team, and get a better feel for the company’s capabilities and professionalism.
●Reach out to the manufacturer’s references and ask about their experience with the company, including the quality of products, delivery times, and customer service.
●If possible, schedule a visit to the manufacturer’s factory to observe their production process, meet the team, and evaluate their facilities. This will provide valuable insight into the company’s capabilities, professionalism, and commitment to quality.
●Consider bringing a technical expert or industry professional to the factory visit to provide additional expertise and perspective.

5. Negotiate the contract and and start ordering from shoe company:

Once you have selected a shoe manufacturer, negotiate the contract to ensure that all parties are clear on the terms, including the price, payment schedule, lead time, and other important details.
●Review the final contract thoroughly, paying close attention to all terms, including the price, payment schedule, lead time, and other important details.
●Negotiate any terms not aligned with your needs, including price, delivery times, and payment terms.
●Make sure the final contract clearly outlines the responsibilities of each party, including the manufacturer, and includes any warranties or guarantees for the quality and delivery of the shoes.
●Consider working with a lawyer or contract specialist to review and finalize the contract, especially for international manufacturing agreements.
●You can place a trial order first to test the quality of the product.
●After you place an order to the shoe company, you should keep in touch with the factory and pay attention to the whole production process.

I hope the method above can help you find a good shoe vendor.

Are you ready to find a good shoe company to produce shoes for you? I’ll share with you how to quickly identify a good shoe supplier. Click here to know:  8 Tips to Quickly Identify a Good Shoe Supplier

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