I Made Your Shoes
Date Updated: 21/11/2022
During this Fashion Revolution Week 2021, we want to join the conversation about a more ethical, sustainable and transparent fashion industry by introducing you to our team at the Hoy family factory in St Louis, Missouri. In this factory, our long-lasting special makeup sandals are still made to order using the original 1940s machinery.
As part of Fashion Revolution Week 2021, Salt-Water Sandals would like to introduce you to some of the people who made your Sandals.
Take a peek at where it all began, where special make-ups are still made to order using the original 1940s machinery. Meet the team behind Salt-Water Sandals US factory…
Cheryl S (red shirt) cuts all the leather straps and insoles; cleans and packs sandals into boxes; pulls and fills orders.
Ruth (orange shirt) embosses the straps; stamps the insole with gold or silver leaf; stamps the straps with lot numbers; skives the straps; sews the acorns; staples the buckles; cleans and packs Sandals into boxes; pulls and fills orders.
Phyllis (grey jumper) cements the insoles, outsoles, and straps; assembles the straps, insoles, and soles together; pulls and fills orders.
Steve (black and white t-shirt + black hat) oversees the shipping department and stock; pulls and fills orders.
Wayne (white shirt) stitches straps and insoles to sole (Salt-Waters); General duties around the factory.
Cheryl M (green shirt) hot glues straps in place to insole; pours urethane into a mold and inserts upper straps and insole + lets set (Sun-Sans).
Jo Anne (blue t-shirt) cuts, trims, clean sandals and packs into boxes; helps Cheryl M run urethane machine for Sun-San Sandals; pulls and fills orders.
If you haven’t noticed the pattern…
- Most of the Hoy employees are flexible and move around the factory.
- They are trained to work multiple jobs to help where is needed.
- It takes 14 steps to make a Salt-Water Sandal and 15 to make a Sun-San Sandal.
- In the US factory, there are 13 people who work towards the final product – the ultimate Summer Sandal.
Want to see more from inside the Hoy Factory? Check out Our Story.