Reviving the shoe industry in Haiti is one of the boldest initiative that any entrepreneurs could undertake in a country where the majority of the people wears imported shoes. Engineer Jean Lucien Ligondé hid no fear and instead pursued his goals not only to create the first modern shoe manufacturer in Haiti, but also hit the international market. After signing a partnership agreement with an American company, the CEO of JL Fine Shoes manufacturer claims that will contribute to the recovery of domestic products and to reactivate local production in order to satisfy local demand. Moreover, his initiative will boost the economy and will provide more job opportunities for young people.

Workers in the shoe manufacture

Launched in 2015, the factory located along the airport boulevard recruited 150 young people mostly from poor neighborhoods who benefited adequate and professional training to produce quality shoes that meet American standards. According to Jean Lucien Ligondé, JL Fine Shoes long-term goals is to create 10 similar plants throughout the country and be able to produce up to 12,000 pairs of shoes per day. "I am ready to create between 4000 and 5000 youth jobs within a year for a production of 800 to 1000 pairs of shoes per day." His great vision, he added, is to encourage the rise of a strengthened middle class, boost the economy, and ensure that 30% of the actions of the manufacture go to these young people. He urged the Haitian government to put in place trade policies that will enable them to compete with other shoe manufacturers. In addition, he sent a vibrant message to the Haitian people to refrain from invading the local market with imported shoes.

A variety of men, girl, kid shoes

JL Fine Shoes, which started with a Haitian designer, had the support of professional Taiwanese shoe makers who guided them with proper procedure to efficiently manufacture the products. Today, the trained young Haitians have become supervisors and were able to replace the Taiwanese managers. With such an initiative, the entrepreneur intends to reverse the market of used shoes commonly named "pèpè".

Pursuing their goals on providing opportunities to the youth and reviving the economy, JL Fine Shoes Inc. created 180 jobs which introduced these young people to a modern, mechanized, and international production system. They make up the labor force of this manufacture producing about 1,200 pairs of shoes per day designed for children, men and women. Their prices vary from $12 to $16 US based upon the buyer or reseller. The manufacturer signed also a contract with the Haitian government for the purchase of children shoes. With its slogan "Elegance and comfort at your feet", JL Fine Shoes Inc., is conquering the international market and according to the CEO, Jean Lucien Ligondé, "it is good news for our economy and the country's development."

Last edited 04/06/18