The China Leather Association Conducts a Survey of Shandong’s Leather Industry, Jointly Exploring New Pathways for High-Quality Development during the 15th Five-Year Plan Period.

To scientifically formulate the leather industry’s 15th Five-Year Development Plan, accurately identify the key challenges facing enterprise development, and facilitate the alignment of high-quality industry resources, from April 9 to 11, Chen Zhanguang, Vice Chairman of the China Leather Association; Lu Hua, Deputy Secretary-General; and Xu Chen, Director of the Footwear Materials Specialized Committee, conducted on-site field research at two major footwear manufacturing hubs—Yinan County in Linyi, Shandong, and Gaomi City in Weifang. Ma Qingpeng, Executive President of the Shandong Leather Industry Association, and Yu Tianping, Deputy Secretary-General, accompanied the delegation throughout the visit.

April 9, Yinan Station: Focusing on Design Gaps and Digital-Intelligent Transformation

The research team’s first stop was Yinan County. The Yinan County Government attached great importance to the visit, with Vice County Magistrate Zhu Hongguo and key officials from the County Bureau of Industry and Information Technology accompanying the delegation throughout and participating in a symposium held at Shandong Baihua Footwear Co., Ltd.

At Baihua Footwear, Chairman Niu Xinghua accompanied the research team on a tour of the company’s in-house Shoe Culture Experience Center. Positioned as a “brand‑experience exhibition hall,” the center serves as a “new bridge” connecting the company with its customers and consumers, leveraging the integrated development of industry, culture, and tourism to strengthen brand building and expand into the custom‑shoe market. The facility also showcases Baihua Footwear’s technological achievements in customization, including precision tools such as personalized foot‑measurement devices and body‑analysis mirrors, as well as cutting‑edge innovations like 3D printing, allowing visitors to directly experience the leap from standardized manufacturing to personalized customization. Chairman Niu Xinghua acknowledged that the most significant bottleneck currently hindering the company’s growth is a severe shortage of high‑caliber designers, which is constraining efforts to enhance product value‑added and elevate the brand’s image.

Subsequently, the research team arrived in Linyi. Hongsheng Shoe Industry Co., Ltd. General Manager Wang Qingsong provided the research team with a detailed overview of the company’s current production operations. By continuously refining its manufacturing processes and strengthening supply-chain management, the company has significantly shortened its delivery lead times, further enhanced product quality stability, and maintained a generally stable yet improving business performance.

At Linyi Jipu’ai Safety Protective Equipment Co., Ltd., General Manager Zhang Lijie outlined the company’s production and operational performance. He noted that Jipu’ai specializes in mid- to high-end footwear manufacturing and has earned a strong reputation among domestic and international customers thanks to its rigorous quality‑control system and lean‑production approach.

The research team also visited Shandong Xinhuilili Footwear and Headgear Co., Ltd., where General Manager Li Xiaodong shared the company’s practical experience in ensuring on-time order fulfillment through meticulous management.

The final stop on the day’s field visit was Shandong Chunjiang Footwear Group Co., Ltd. Chairman Lin Yonggang highlighted the company’s latest advances in digital and intelligent transformation, achieved through the introduction of automated cutting equipment and… MES System , resulting in a significant improvement in both production efficiency and quality stability. Yang Yuhuan, Director of the People’s Congress of Yinan County, stated that the county Party committee and county government will continue to optimize the business environment and support traditional footwear enterprises in accelerating their transformation and upgrading.

April 10, Gaomi Station: Responding to Shifting Trade Dynamics and Strengthening Brand Awareness

The research team then traveled to the shoe‑making industrial base in Gaomi City. A special symposium was held, with Gaomi Vice Mayor Ma Ming, Guo Jinqiao, Deputy Director of the Gaomi Municipal People’s Congress Standing Committee, and key officials from the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology accompanying the delegation throughout and attending the meeting. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions with representatives from the China Leather Association, the Shandong Provincial Leather Industry Association, and various enterprises. Ma Ming stated that Gaomi’s footwear industry boasts a solid foundation and distinctive characteristics, and that the municipal Party committee and government will provide full support to help enterprises vigorously advance digital and intelligent transformation and brand development. He also welcomed industry associations in bringing more high‑quality resources and exhibition platforms to Gaomi.

At Shandong Aolong Footwear Co., Ltd., General Manager Huang Xin led the research team on a tour of the company’s R&D center and laboratories, providing a detailed overview of its technical capabilities in material testing, product performance evaluation, and new‑product development. Huang Xin noted that, following the impact of the global trade war, the company has adjusted its market structure and optimized cost control, resulting in a comprehensive recovery in production and a robust order backlog.

Ji Nana, General Manager of Gaomi Meideng Footwear Co., Ltd., shared the company’s experience in focusing on design and R&D. She noted that Meideng Footwear has established a relatively comprehensive supporting system, which effectively underpins its capabilities in rapid prototyping and small-batch customization.

Shandong Fengdun Leather Products Co., Ltd. currently has a robust order book. At the same time, the company is actively bolstering its domestic brand presence, making thorough preparations to tap into the domestic market.

Haiyu Co., Ltd. It is the largest manufacturer of safety footwear in Shandong Province. Huang Long, General Manager of Haiyu Footwear, provided the research team with a detailed overview of the company’s international expansion experience. He noted that Haiyu products are now exported to numerous countries and regions, enabling the company to build valuable distribution channels and earn customer trust in global markets. At the same time, Mr. Huang candidly acknowledged the challenges the company currently faces, including tariff pressures stemming from international trade tensions, fluctuating overseas logistics costs, and rising market‑entry barriers in certain regions. Looking ahead, he stated that the company will prioritize brand development, transitioning from OEM production to exporting its own branded products, thereby enhancing product value-added and strengthening its international competitiveness.

April 11, Gaomi Station: Online channels and funding bottlenecks have become the focus of attention.

On the final day of the field visit, the research team first arrived at Shandong Dinggu Labor Protection Products Co., Ltd. General Manager Zhou Shilong outlined the company’s online sales model, which leverages e‑commerce platforms and livestreaming to drive channel innovation.

Subsequently, the research team visited Shandong Laifute Leather Products Co., Ltd. Chairman Gong Enwen outlined the company’s production operations and highlighted how funding constraints are hindering its technological upgrades and raw-material procurement. In response to the enterprise’s concerns about financing difficulties, President Ma Qingpeng provided an on-site briefing on Shandong Province’s financial‑chain‑leading policy for the light‑industry sector.

During the field visit, Chen Zhanguang, Vice Chairman of the China Leather Association, outlined the conceptual framework for drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan and highlighted the preparations underway for the “2026 China International Leather Exhibition (ACLE China) – 2026 Modern China International Footwear, Bags, Apparel & Fashion Expo.” The event is scheduled to take place from September 1 to 3 this year at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, positioning itself as Asia’s most influential trade platform for the leather industry. The research team extended a warm invitation to leading footwear and leather‑processing enterprises in Yinan and Gaomi to participate actively in the exhibition.

During this field survey, the team went directly to the front lines to gain a clear understanding of the genuine needs and exemplary practices of Shandong’s two major footwear manufacturing hubs in areas such as design talent, digital and intelligent transformation, brand building, overseas expansion experience, online channels, and financial support. The governments of Yinan and Gaomi attached great importance to the initiative, with city- and county-level leaders participating throughout, thereby providing robust support for the research efforts. Chen Zhanguang, Vice Chairman of the China Leather Association, stated that the survey team will carefully compile the common issues raised by enterprises, incorporate them into the priority task list of the industry’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and actively offer recommendations to relevant authorities. Ma Qingpeng, Executive President of the Shandong Leather Industry Association, emphasized that Shandong’s leather industry boasts a solid foundation and strong corporate resilience, and that the association will continue to provide effective services and facilitate collaboration, helping enterprises overcome developmental bottlenecks and jointly advance into a new phase of high-quality growth.