Anything that happens in the sneaker industry has consequences. But with the Kanye Adidas breakup, we knew that some sad updates will probably come later. And we wish we were wrong. The news of Yeezy manufacturer layoffs is heartbreaking, but that’s probably “collateral damage” in the big scheme of things. So let’s check out what went down and what’s gonna happen next! And in case you’re not up-to-date on news, here’s how the breakup will affect Yeezy’s value on the resale market.
Yeezy Okabashi Contract History
Okabashi is one of the few footwear manufacturers that are still in the US today (1% to be exact). The manufacturer, which is in Georgia, specializes in sandals and foam shoes generally. And in April 2020, Adidas Yeezy contracted the manufacturer to produce Foam Runners in the USA. According to Okabashi, Foam Runners are the only Yeezys they manufacture.
Anyway, that’s not the whole story, because as consumers noticed, not all Foam Runners are US-made. So what’s the story there? What we know for sure is that Yeezy Sand and Ararat are both US products. However, later models had the “Made in China” tag on the shoe box. So obviously, some Runners are US products, while the others come from Chinese factories. And according to these Redditors, the production place created a sizing inconsistency.
Yeezy Manufacturer Layoffs – Okabashi
So, fast forward to October 2022, and Adidas drops Kanye, aka Yeezys no more. And everyone knew that this wouldn’t be the end of it, because someone gotta face some repercussions. Unfortunately, 142 Okabashi workers took the worst of it because the manufacturer laid them off. However, they will receive severance and a healthcare coverage extension. Okabashi is also working with other agencies and manufacturers to find the workers other job opportunities.
Although the Yeezy manufacturer layoffs are sad, these probably won’t be the only ones. Foam Runners was only one model out of all the Yeezy silhouettes that you can check out here. And if you’re familiar with where Yeezys are made, you’ll know that Chinese manufacturers were getting busy. Now they won’t be completely out of business because they also produce other Adidas kicks. But there definitely be layoffs since the production won’t be the same.
Will the Yeezy Manufacturer Layoffs Be the End of It?
Short answer: probably not. The Adidas Ye breakup is still sinking in, and we still didn’t see the full extent of it. So, in addition to Yeezy manufacturer layoffs and financial losses, there probably will be more news to come. So make sure you keep your eyes on our blog for the latest updates. And since you’ll be looking to fill the emotional gap Yeezys created, check out the upcoming Jordans. You know, Js and Nike kicks will be the resort once the dust settles. So make sure you have your Nike bot ready on the go! Godspeed
