Where are HOKA Shoes Made? [2024]

Hoka One One is an athletic shoe company that has gained immense popularity in recent years for their maximally-cushioned shoes designed for runners. But where are these unique, thick-soled shoes actually made? In this article, we’ll explore the origins and manufacturing processes behind Hoka shoes.

History of Hoka One One

• Hoka One One was founded in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, both former Salomon employees. The company is headquartered in Annecy, France near the Italian and Swiss borders.
• The name “Hoka One One” comes from the Maori language and means “fly over the earth”. This name was chosen to represent the lightweight, cushioned feel the shoes provide.
• One of Hoka’s earliest flagship models was the Bondi B road running shoe, featuring an oversized midsole for maximal cushioning and support.

Early Manufacturing and Growth

• Hoka initially outsourced manufacturing of their shoes to factories in China. This allowed them to scale production as demand grew rapidly in the early 2010s.
• By 2013, Hoka sales had expanded beyond specialty running stores into larger chains like REI and Nordstrom. The brand was benefiting from the overall growth in athletic footwear.
• To keep up with demand, Hoka began working with additional factories in Vietnam while retaining some production in China. Sourcing from multiple countries improved flexibility.

Acquisition by Deckers Brands

• As the Hoka brand grew swiftly, larger footwear companies took notice. Deckers Brands, maker of UGG boots and Teva sandals, acquired Hoka One One in 2013.
• Hoka joined Deckers’ portfolio of higher-end footwear brands. The acquisition provided more resources and operations infrastructure to scale Hoka faster.
• However, Hoka retained its distinct brand identity within the Deckers family. The original founders continued leading product design from the European headquarters.

Expanding Factories and Facilities

• With the support of parent company Deckers, Hoka expanded manufacturing capabilities significantly after 2015. This included growing production facilities in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
• By 2019, Hoka opened its first US-based distribution center in Dayton, New Jersey. This domestic warehouse and operations hub supported increased US demand.
• Hoka also maintains an injection molding facility in Guangdong province in China to produce proprietary midsole materials like the cushioned RMAT foam.

Recent Manufacturing Developments

• As of 2022, Hoka operates at least six factory locations in Vietnam that employ around 30,000 workers combined. These plants assemble shoes like the popular Bondi, Clifton and Carbon X models.
• Roughly 30-40% of Hokas worldwide workforce is based in Vietnam today. The company continues expanding Vietnamese production to meet global growth goals.
• In recent years, Hoka has also begun adding factories in India to manufacture shoes for domestic sale as the brand grows in the subcontinent market.

Quality Control

• All Hoka factories, regardless of country location, must meet high standards in product quality, working conditions and sustainability metrics.
• Deckers monitors supplier metrics closely through third-party audits and frequent assessments. Issues like excessive overtime or unsafe conditions can jeopardize future orders.
• Factories assembling Hoka shoes are supplied with proprietary materials like foam midsoles from Hoka’s injection site in China to protect material quality and intellectual property.

Sustainable Manufacturing Efforts

• As a subsidiary of Deckers Brands, Hoka footwear is included in company-wide sustainability goals. Hoka aims to reduce aggregate carbon emissions and water usage substantially in coming years.
• Nearly all Hoka shoe materials are now derived from recycled or renewable resources. The company is also working to increase use of recycled polyester and reduce plastic waste.
• In 2020, Hoka helped found the Running Sustainability Coalition to promote environmentally responsible practices in performance athletic wear across the industry.

The Future of Hoka Manufacturing

• As demand for Hoka shoes keeps accelerating, factories in Vietnam, China, Indonesia and India expect to boost hiring and capacity utilization further.
• Hoka is also exploring state-of-the-art automated production technologies like advanced knitting machines and 3D printing that can enable speed, customization and onshore manufacturing.
• With Deckers resources supporting supply chain resiliency, Hoka seems well positioned to balance ethical sourcing and environmental issues amid continuously growing sales.

Conclusion

In just over a decade, Hoka One One has gone from a fledgling startup to a leading innovator shaking up the athletic shoe industry. Central to this rapid rise has been scaling a global supply chain and expanding manufacturing capabilities abroad to keep pace with surging international demand.

From early outsourcing to China, to opening new factories and distribution hubs worldwide, Hoka and parent company Deckers have shown how smart supply chain growth allows a beloved product to reach more consumers while retaining its original identity.

While production may be increasingly outsourced, the creative vision behind Hokas beloved maximalist shoe designs remains in the hands of the founders who launched the company to share their passion for the run. As Hoka enters its second decade, running shoe devotees around the world are waiting eagerly to see what innovations may come next.

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