If I ask you which is the biggest sports shoe brand in the world right now, Nike’s logo probably comes to mind. Yes, Nike’s shoe sales are far ahead of Adidas, the second-place brand. How did Nike achieve this? Where does Nike produce its high-quality shoes? This article will explore these questions in detail. Keep reading to find out.
Origin of the Name Nike
Nike’s name comes from a fascinating story. In 1964, Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman started a company called “Blue Ribbon Sports” in the U.S. to sell shoes. By 1971, the company shifted to making and selling its own shoes. The name “Nike” was suggested by employee Jeff Johnson after he had a dream. He proposed naming the company after Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. No one imagined that this name would one day echo worldwide and dominate the global sports shoe market.
Where are Nike Shoes Made?
Main producing countries
| China | Vietnam | Indonesia | Thailand |
Production volume share | About 25%-30% | About 45%-50% | About 20%-25% | About 5% |
Main production area | Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi | Jakarta, West Java | Bangkok, Chiang Mai | |
Main reason | Complete infrastructure, abundant labor force, perfect supply chain | Low labor cost, government policy support | Low labor and operating costs | Excellent geographical location |
Other producing countries
| India | South Korea | Other countries |
Production volume share | Less than 5% | Less than 5% | Less than 5% |
Main production area | Tamil Nadu and Karnataka | Gyeonggi Province, Busan | Brazil, Mexico |
Main reason | Great growth potential | Good R&D and innovation capabilities | Low labor and operating costs |
Nike Shoe Factories Example
Vietnam
Pou Chen Corporation
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001
Company Size: Over tens of thousands of employees
Advantages: Large scale, high-quality standards, and efficient production capacity
Chang Shin Vietnam Co., Ltd.
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SA 8000
Company Size: Thousands of employees
Advantages: High-quality production, focus on social responsibility and environmental protection
Feng Tay Enterprises Co., Ltd.
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, WRAP
Company Size: Multiple production bases, tens of thousands of employees
Advantages: Modern and automated production, innovative design
China
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd.
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SA 8000
Company Size: Over 100,000 employees
Advantages: Diverse product range, large-scale production, and excellent supply chain management
Huali Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, BSCI
Company Size: Tens of thousands of employees
Advantages: High-quality production, innovative design, and advanced manufacturing processes
Hua Jian Industrial Holdings Co., Ltd.
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, WRAP
Company Size: Tens of thousands of employees
Advantages: Consistent high-quality production
Indonesia
PT. Panarub Industry
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SA 8000
Company Size: Thousands of employees
Advantages: Efficient production and quality control
PT. Adis Dimension Footwear
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, WRAP
Company Size: Thousands of employees
Advantages: Focus on social responsibility and environmental protection
Thailand
Wonderland International Co., Ltd.
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, SA 8000
Company Size: Thousands of employees
Advantages: Reliable production and delivery
Pan Asia Footwear Public Company Limited
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, WRAP
Company Size: Thousands of employees
Advantages: Diverse product range, stable high-quality production, and innovative design
How are Nike Shoes Manufactured?
Nike Shoes design and development
Nike designers create the shoe concept and sketch it.
Select the best materials for each part of the shoe.
Use CAD to create a 3D model of the shoe.
Make a prototype of the shoe using 3D printing and other technologies.
Material preparation for Nike Shoes
Nike selects suppliers that provide high-quality materials at lower prices.
Test the quality of the materials.
Before manufacturing, use automated machines to cut the materials.
Nike Shoes Manufacturing
Sew different materials and parts together to form the complete upper.
Add Nike’s classic elements and new designs to the upper.
Use injection molding to make the midsole and rubber for the outsole.
Bond the upper and outsole together, then use a press machine to ensure a strong bond.
Perform a preliminary inspection of the finished shoes to check for defects and necessary adjustments.
Quality Control of Nike Shoes
Test the shoe’s durability.
Test the shoe’s comfort.
Test the shoe’s water resistance.
Test the shoe’s breathability.
Do a final check for any appearance defects.
Packaging and distribution of Nike Shoes
Design and customize Nike shoe boxes.
Pack the shoes into the boxes and label them.
Distribute the shoes to sales points around the world.
What is Nike Shoe Quality Policy?
Customer Feedback
Nike values brand reputation and product quality, focusing on customer feedback. They use big data and AI to collect and analyze feedback, continuously improving products and services.
Product Design
Nike designers prioritize product quality and performance, ensuring all products meet high standards.
Material Selection
Nike uses eco-friendly, high-quality materials for production.
Supplier Selection
Nike is strict about choosing suppliers. They need technical certifications and must prove their ability to produce high-quality products.
Employee Training
Nike requires suppliers to train their employees before they start work, preventing mistakes.
Manufacturing Process
Nike standardizes production processes to easily control quality.
Product Testing
Nike conducts rigorous quality checks at every production stage to ensure products meet international and internal standards.
Nike shoe production: China vs. Vietnam
| China | Vietnam |
Low labor costs |
| ✔ |
Complete infrastructure | ✔ |
|
Mature supply chain | ✔ |
|
Fast logistics and transportation | ✔ |
|
Low tariff prices |
| ✔ |
Political stability | ✔ |
|
Good production quality | Depends on the factory | Depends on the factory |
FAQ
What Kind of Social Opinions Does Nike Face?
Recently, there have been online rumors about Nike operating “sweatshops.” Nike has been accused of refusing to pay wages to workers at Violet Apparel in Cambodia and Hong Seng Knitting in Thailand, and using forced labor from Uyghur people in Xinjiang, China. There are also claims of gender and pay discrimination within Nike, and the company needs to improve in environmental and animal welfare areas.
In response to these issues, Nike has issued a statement. They plan to strengthen cooperation with suppliers to ensure labor standards, adjust internal policies to protect female employees, and use more eco-friendly materials to better protect the environment.
How Nike Manages its Supply Chain？
Supplier Management: Nike has set a “Supplier Code of Conduct” that all suppliers must follow.
Supply Chain Transparency: Nike publishes lists of primary and secondary suppliers and provides detailed factory information.
Supplier Training: Nike offers training for suppliers on labor rights, environmental management, and production efficiency.
Technology and Innovation: Nike uses big data and AI to monitor and assess supplier performance, improving supply chain efficiency and transparency.
Audit and Compliance: Nike releases an annual “Sustainability Report,” disclosing specific supply chain data and improvement measures.
How to cooperate with nike suppliers in China
Find Nike’s Chinese suppliers through various channels and select a few suitable ones for communication.
Send inquiries, introduce your brand and partnership intentions, and request samples and quotes.
Compare and choose the most suitable supplier, prepare the contract, and negotiate contract terms.
Negotiate price and quality control processes with the supplier.
Provide detailed design drawings, make samples again, and check and adjust details until perfect.
Track production progress and request videos of the production process to ensure everything is on track.
Conduct quality checks at each key stage.
Develop a logistics plan, choose a reliable logistics company or freight forwarder.
Prepare complete customs documents and product certificates to complete import procedures.
Monitor logistics status throughout to ensure timely delivery to the destination warehouse.
Check product specifications and quality, provide feedback to the supplier, and request improvements.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that Nike is the top-selling sports shoe brand globally, and its quality control is exceptional. If you want a future like Nike’s, learning from its production experience can be very helpful. It’s said that standing on the shoulders of giants makes thinking easier, and following the path Nike has paved can save you a lot of time.
Of course, if you encounter difficulties with details, you can also contact us at SourcingWise for help. We have years of experience in foreign trade and a dedicated, enthusiastic team. Our goal is to help you succeed.
