"inov-8 is based in the UK’s Lake District and trades in more than 60 countries. Commenting further on his purchase of the company, made during the Covid pandemic, Edy added: “It was a risky time to purchase back the business, but it was an easy decision, driven by my hunger to lead more product innovation" and
Edy, who founded inov-8 in 2003 and now owns 100% of the business outside of Northern Asia, said: “I’m delighted to be back at the helm ahead of what is an exciting new chapter in the continued development of the world’s most innovative sports brand.
“We benefited from being part of the Descente group from 2015 to 2020, but we’re now independent again"
I mean know some UK companies near here (Cornwall) who have basically had to offshore their warehouses and most other operations because of Brexit, because otherwise they'd be bust, but I blame the govt, and count them as UK.
Oh, I do like the Inov-8's, had a pair of Roclite's years ago, lovely shoe but the sole melted a bit quick (probably didn't use the sticky rubber for it's intended purpose to be fair).
^^^ that is my problem too... So I wear Inov8s for walking, cycling etc and, dare I say it, Australian boots, Blundstone, for working in. I used to wear British: Grenson, but their last is too narrow for my ageing, splaying feet with an arthritic metatarsal joint...
I think we're onto a loser if we're buying British brands that are manufactured in Britain - Brexit has ensured that for many it's no longer economic to do so. I keep on meeting runners in my club who either themselves or their partners are having to spend a lot of time in Europe setting up new trading hubs, to get around the Brexit red tape that would cost them thousands otherwise.
Figures from 10 years ago when I worked there......
New Balance make about 40% of their 'technical running' shoes that are sold in Europe at the NB factory in Flimby, just down the road from Maryport.
This is a mixture of:
1) completely manufactured - materials come in sheet form, are cut out, stitched together, and glued to a sole unit. These tend to be more the 'pub shoes' - with suede/leather uppers rather than something you'd use to set a 10k pb
2) assembled, where a part finished upper is completed, lasted (the key operation where an essentially flat structure is heated up and stretched over a foot-shaped former to give it a permanent shape) and glued to the sole unit.
The balance of the technical running, which is generally the more fancy colourways, and anything else - walking, cross training, spikes etc - are sourced from China. (or very, very occasionally America)
The 'made in the uk' designation is driven by how much value is added during the uk operations. Certainly if your desire for 'buy british' is to support other folk being paid decent wages and working in safe, well regulated conditions in the UK, then NB are a good bet.
Essentially they are the ONLY bet. I'm not sure what the situation is with Walsh, but Inov-8 have, as far as I'm aware, never manufactured in the uk. (Happy to be corrected on this, but I'm 99% sure)
That isn't a criticism. The ONLY reason NB still manufacture in the UK (and North America) is because they are still a privately owned company, and the owner wants to do that - and is willing to forego a truly enormous slice of profit in order to do so. Every other big brand running shoe is manufactured in Asia. The cost of setting up for manufacturing is enormous, and the margnins on the eventual product just aren't big enough, on the volumes you'll sell, to justify it. So you design in the UK, and then contract manufacturing to China.
It's worth mentioning that the shoes NB source from China also come from a small number of named factories that have long term supply contracts and that can be inspected and regulated. Pretty much every other shoe brand gets manufactured in a 'pop-up' factory somewhere in Asia which tends to be wherever the latest Free Economic Zone has been set up, so you can be sure the suppliers are getting maximum exploitation for your money.
Also - pretty much EVERY sole unit - for any brand at all, with whatever "proprietary" technology is in it, is manufactured in one of only 2 factories in China - called Pou Chen and Yu Yuen, iirc. These are massive, 50,000 employee sites like small towns - that can absorb the enormous costs of tooling required to produce sole units. Want a brand new sole? A basic set of moulds, in one run of sizes for a single width will start at $100,000. You better be sure you're going to shift at least 10,000 pairs of those shoes just to begin to cover the costs of just one mould.....if you're a new start-up, how confident are you going to be of that?
So, yeah, there you go For the record NB were bloody brilliant to work for, and whilst I don't do 'regret' I have only one career decision I've made that I look back on and think "yeah, that was totally the wrong thing to do". That was not going back to work for them after I'd left and the factory manager met me for a pint and floated the opportunity. Sorry, Andy, I made a bad call there
So, my Saucony's are almost due for replacement... and I've had a very quick flick through the net thinking about buying another couple of pairs of shoes (and yes I will be visiting my local independent running shop), But... I'd like to buy British.
I don't need anything too fancy, My running usually takes place on roads and canal towpaths, with the odd foray onto parkland and trail (I've got pair of Salomon's if needed). but I do need a bit of cushioning.
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Aug 2023