A revolution is underway in India’s trainer industry

You have not heard about the Hong Fu Industrial Group in Taiwan, but look at a crowded street and you may see its products.

Hong Fu is the second largest coach manufacturer in the world (sneakers) to supply Nike, Conferres, Adidas, Puma and many others. It makes about 200 million pairs of sports shoes a year.

So when she investigated a great investment in the India market, the shoe industry came.

Hong Fu is currently building a giant factory in Panabakam, in the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. Upon full operation, at one time in the three years to the next five, you will make 25 million pairs of shoes annually, employing up to 25,000 workers.

The project includes Indian partners, including AEEL PANARUNA, President of Florence Shoe Company: “The international market is saturated and illusion [Hong Fu] Looking for a new market. ”

“There is a radical increase in improper shoes in India. It has huge potential,” added Mr. Panarona.

The Indian government is keen to attract such investment, in the hope that it will raise standards in the shoe industry and enhance exports.

To motivate the industry, the Indian standards office last August presented new quality rules for all shoes sold in India.

Under these standards, for example, the material will have to pass strengths and flexibility tests.

“These BIS criteria really relate to cleaning the market. We have had a lot of low -quality products that overwhelm them, and consumers deserve better,” says Sandep Sharma, a shoe expert.

But many in India cannot withstand the costs of shoes from well -known brands.

Its presentation is a huge and complex network of small shoe makers, known as the irregular sector.

Its products are estimated at reasonable prices represent two -thirds of the shoe market.

Ashok (withholding its full name) is the same as part of this sector, with shoe units throughout Agara Province in northern India. It is estimated that 200,000 pairs of shoes are performed every day through operations such as Ajra.

“Many consumers, especially in rural and low -income urban areas, choose local shoes instead of brand options.”

“Many brands regulating the scope of retail in the semi -urban and rural areas are struggled because we are abstaining.”

How will the new government standards affect makers like Ashok?

“It is complicated,” said Sharma.

“I think the government is trying to walk on a tight rope here. They can not only close thousands of small companies that employ millions of people – this will be economic suicide.

“What I see is more than the approach of the carrot and the labia. They are pushing for standards, but they also publish programs to help small manufacturers upgrade their operations. It is not a matter of wiping the unorganized sector but they gradually enter them into the barn.”

Make the situation more complicated is that the irregular sector Known Making fake shoes from large brands.

While the popularity of Indian shoppers looking for an elegant deal, other countries You have a long time ago About the losses it caused.

Meanwhile, a group of new Indian coaches makers are emitted to serve the growing middle class in India.

Sabhib Agrawal tries to make these buyers interested in barefoot shoes – shoes that, as their makers say, are good health health because they encourage natural or barefoot movement.

Mr. Agrawal says his company, Zen Barefoot, is unusual because a lot of Indian shoe industry is not very innovative.

“There are very few people who are ready to spend time and invest in new technologies here. Indian manufacturing is a very profitable market, an investment return [return on investment] Payed.

“In many cases, even the government is not ready to enable these industries through grants or tax exemption, which makes it very difficult.”

The comet is an Indian company looking to innovate.

It claims to be the first local trainer brand to own the entire production process, from design to manufacturing.

“This level of control allows us to try materials, introduce innovative silhouettes, and constantly improve comfort and convenience on the basis of real reactions,” says the founder of Utkarsh Gupta.

He says that the shoes of the comet adapt to the climate and methods of India.

“Most local brands depend on the soles of the market, but when we started the comet, we realized that these were lacking quality, durability and arrest,” he says.

Change comes to the shoe sector, he says. “The shift to high value is now happening.”

“Many high-value brands need to transfer their manufacture to India. In 3-5 years, we must have a strong environmental system to compete in the international sports shoe market.”

Returning to Agura, Ashok hopes not to neglect the irregular sector amid the growth of the shoe industry in India.

“The government must give us accreditation and certificates so that our factories do not close. Once we also include us in the organized sector, no one can overcome India in the manufacture of shoe manufacturing.”

But Mr. Sharma says that change is inevitable.

“The market will definitely turn. We will see the largest players their size – they have money to adapt quickly.

“But I don’t think young men will completely disappear. The smart will find their position.”