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18. Robotic review
How the use of robotics in the footwear factory
has relieved workers from repetitive and
sometimes dangerous tasks, but also brought
an increase in quality and product reliability.
22. Full circle
Automation can make it affordable for Western
retailers and brands to source their shoes
closer to home once more.
26. Footwear fundamentals:
versatile alternative
Since its introduction in the 1960s,
polyurethane has proved a valuable material
for soling and other footwear applications.
44. Essential reading
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 | www.footwearbiz.com
41. Home truths
China’s domestic market is booming, and it’s
good news for manufacturers of quality
shoes everywhere.
30. Big bang
How the introduction of the welted process in
the early sixteenth century led to the footwear
industry’s ‘big bang’.
34. Biom revisited
Footwear brand Ecco has launched an
updated version of its Biom athletic shoes.
First launched in 2009, the updated version
continues to tap into the trend for a
‘barefoot’ experience using a range of
materials that includes unlined yak leather.
38. Hopes for winter boots
After a disappointingly mild winter in 2011-
2012, some retailers appear to want to re-
present unsold stock this coming season. But
fashion has its own way of defying the
weather and a number of designers believe
high boots will be back.
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