Economic Sectors
A leading industry in Spain
The shoe industry continues to be the top economic activity in Elche
Elche’s constant economic growth in the second half of the 20th century was closely linked to the footwear industry, the true driving force of Elche’s economy and a European point of reference in shoe production as more than 40% of the national companies in the sector can be found there. Over the last few years a constant process of diversification of the local economy has become evident, leading to a rise in the presence of commerce, company services and tourism and also in construction, currently one of the most solid sectors.
The footwear industry is the true driving force of Elche’s economyElche’s footwear industry is Spain’s leader in production and exportation as well as being very important on a European scale, only being beaten by Italy. In Elche a production volume of 60 million pairs was attained in 2004, valued at 913 million Euros (39% of those produced in Spain, where 155 million pairs were made at a value of 1,600 million Euros). Clear examples of the export trade of Elche’s businesses are the 43 million pairs which were sold abroad in 2004, at a value of 702 million Euros.
According to the latest figures from la Asociación de Industriales del Calzado de Elche, 40% of Spanish footwear companies are to be found in Elche (892 companies) and these employ 38% of the workforce in that sector (17,000 workers).
The footwear industry is at the cutting edge of technologyToday this industry is heading towards product specialisation based on design, quality and leading-edge technology. One determining factor of this change are the advances experienced by the components industry, which is specialised in materials and machinery. Having been developed to provide a service to footwear companies, this is now an important highly competitive sector in international markets, which increased its exportation to a value of 60.3 million Euros in sales abroad in 2004.
The components industry is very highly concentrated since approximately 50% of companies in the Valencian Community can be found in the city, supplying their products to the rest of the Spanish and foreign footwear production areas. In a short time this sector has acquired an important international presence, based on the research and development of leading products, setting standards in fashion.
In this context of globalisation the footwear sector in Elche remains at the forefront of Elche’s economic activities, although it is undergoing a constant process of transformation in order to be able to adapt to the new world-wide reality.
