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John Foos Ends Argentine Manufacturing, Will Import Sneakers From Asia

The decision underscores a cost-first pivot that puts cheaper Asian supply ahead of factory jobs.

Overview

  • John Foos, which disclosed the shift on Thursday, will halt production at its Beccar plant by late April, leaving roughly 50 factory workers facing dismissal.
  • The brand plans to sell finished shoes sourced from Asia after years of moving from local making to assembling imported parts and then to fully imported products.
  • Workers say the company offered severance at 60% to 70% of the legal payout, sometimes in installments, while the firm says it is restructuring and complying with labor law.
  • Employees report managers mentioned a potential creditor-protection filing, known in Argentina as concurso de acreedores, though the company has not confirmed such a move.
  • The workforce fell from about 400 in 2023 to near 50 today, and an anti-dumping price floor on Chinese footwear may steer sourcing to markets like Vietnam or Thailand.