DEVELOPMENTS IN FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING - 2.

In this continuation and conclusion of a report on progress in shoe manufacture, the author is concerned with recent developments and likely future trends in production methods, in each of the major manufacturing areas. The following topics are detailed - pre-production tooling; clicking; closing; making and bottoming. The use of various synthetic rubber (EVA, EPDM) and vulcanized PVC is discussed. It is concluded that the rate of change of technology in the footwear industry is deceptively rapid and the ability of the industry to adapt itself to produce an ever-changing product is very significant. The traditional craftsman's ingenuity is as important as ever, and today is increasingly being applied in molding and fitting new technology to the changing requirements of the industry.