Shoes in the world
Shoes are an everyday product that we cannot do without. They are functional for some, a fashion item for others and for some, a passion! More than 20 billion pairs of shoes are produced annually in the world. In this era where climate issues should no longer be taken lightly, the shoe industry is often singled out for criticism, whether for its manufacturing processes or for the habits of consumers. Martino is different.
The tannery
Tanneries have long been criticized for the large amounts of chemicals they use in leather processing. There are no tanneries left in Canada able to meet Martino's needs and standards. We have no choice but to turn to imports to obtain quality leathers. These come to us mainly from the United States, Italy and Brazil. All the tanneries we work with are members of the LWG (Leather Working Group) Gold or Silver or are in the process of being accredited.
Sustainable energy
We are one of the few companies that use low-impact renewable energy, hydroelectricity. Since coal is still widely used in the industry, we are privileged to be able to operate from water, a renewable natural resource.
Manufacturing
To keep up with demand, shoe companies must constantly expand and automate their processes, using energy-intensive machinery. In addition, the various manufacturing steps are often done in different locations to save on labour costs. For example, leather from Europe is shipped to the United States for trimming, and these parts are then sewn in Asia while the final assembly is done in the United States. A lot of fuel will be spent before the final product is even distributed. Martino sees things differently.
By humans
All the manufacturing steps of our products are done in our Quebec City factory. Many of them are still done by hand, giving each pair a unique handmade touch.
Martino ways
Once the raw materials are received at the Quebec City factory, the creation process begins. Some steps are done by hand and many of the pieces are still die-cut. In addition to the forty or so seamstresses on site, we also have a team that assembles the boots with soles by hand. Our warehouse is located next to our factory to minimize the movement of finished products and our distribution network is essentially in Quebec, Ontario and the Northeastern United States.
A thoughtful development
The development of our new products always involves the reuse of existing materials. Before ordering new products, we consider what we have in stock so that we don't throw away any raw materials. This is why you will often find the same leathers or soles from one year to the next.
In addition, we create many limited edition collections in order to obtain smaller quantities of raw material to ensure that we use it all. We also created a new collection of accessories and bags in the summer of 2019 to optimize some of the leathers we had left over in too small quantities to make a line of boots
Slow fashion and durable boots
Mass consumption remains a major issue to consider. By selecting quality leathers, we ensure that our boots are durable and will last for many years with minimal maintenance. Whether you opt for a classic model or a unique piece from a limited collection, your pair will be comfortable and you will want to take care of them. Visit ou Care Guide page to get tips on how to maintain your Martino product and then wear it as long as possible. In the event of a problem, we will always give priority to repairs.
