The first issue of Footwearbiz magazine for 2026 is now complete. We include a full account of the twenty-second UITIC Congress, which took place in Shanghai. Our materials focus features articles that highlight the sustainability of leather, but also its inherent performance attributes. We also present the waste-saving and slip-preventing insoles that Blumaka makes available to athletes. In our dedicated athletic footwear section, we focus on Swiss brand On, whose commitment to innovation will, it insists, propel it to the pinnacle of the premium sports shoe segment. Business of Footwear closes the magazine, as always. This time, we have a feature that celebrates Rocky Brands’ foresight in keeping at least some of its manufacturing capacity in house. We round this issue up with a detailed discussion with Coats Group CEO, David Paja, who explains the strategy behind the acquisition of footwear components developers Texon, Rhenoflex and now OrthoLite.
