Performance Objectives in Shoe Manufacturing

The shoe manufacturing industry is highly competitive, which makes meeting performance objectives critical for success. Each shoe company has its own take on footwear but targets many of the same customers. To retain their current market share and grow their operations, shoe manufacturers must perform at their optimum to outdo competitors.

Keeping shoe defect rates, scrap and other forms of waste at a minimal level is a critical performance objective. Without quality, it is hard to build a positive brand name, retain customers or win new ones. For these reasons, efficiency metrics are closely monitored in shoe production environments. The raw materials and the sophisticated machines used to create footwear are tested on a regular basis to ensure quality. Quality assurance programs are widely utilized in the industry.

Operating costs impact bottom-line profit and the ability of a shoe manufacturer to continue production. Labor, raw materials and miscellaneous overhead expenses are among the costs monitored by management. If a company cannot use its resources effectively or is constantly having to retool its operations, it is likely to lose ground to its competitors. Keeping manufacturing costs low is a standard performance objective. However, lower costs do not always equate to quality shoes or efficient production.

Cycle times are an important measure of performance and the ability of a company to meet its delivery objectives. Cycle times between process steps and sub systems need to be optimized to remove bottlenecks from production. Otherwise, work can pile up at specific work stations, causing delays throughout the production process. Quality assurance support staff are often used to help managers and line workers reduce idle times and speed up production.

There are CO2 emissions and other harmful side effects associated with shoe production. Without the proper safeguards, manufacturers can pollute the environment and damage the communities in which they operate. For these reasons, sustainability and compliance with government environmental regulations are critical performance objectives. Public opinion can sway against manufacturers that harm the environment, which can hurt sales. Factory audits, employee training and hazardous materials ratings are all elements of sustainability programs.