GORAL

The company is known for developing a proprietary Blake stitch construction method specifically adapted for trainers, making their footwear fully resoleable with a lifetime repair guarantee. Operating from a 12,000 square foot factory in Sheffield, GORAL employs 35 craftsmen and produces 900 pairs of shoes per week, serving both its own brand and manufacturing for major companies including Dr Martens.

GORAL traces its origins to 1936 when Franciszek Goral established a small workshop near Krakow, Poland, initially repairing and handcrafting shoes for family, friends, and local villagers. During the Stalinist years, the business faced significant challenges, operating mainly at night with women hiding shoes under their clothing to deliver them to customers.

The company remained a family operation through multiple generations until 2005, when third-generation leader Bogdan Goral made the strategic decision to relocate the firm and his family to Sheffield, England. The Gorals chose Sheffield specifically because they believed the steel city would offer less competition for shoe repair business compared to the Midlands region.

GORAL AND SON LTD was officially incorporated as a private limited company on March 18, 2011, with business classification as "Manufacture of footwear." The GORAL brand was officially launched in 2018, with the company experiencing a 110 percent increase in turnover that same year. Today, managing director Bogdan Goral runs the company alongside his son Dominik, representing the fourth generation of the family business.

GORAL developed its proprietary Blake stitch construction method to address limitations in traditional techniques when applied to modern trainer designs. Traditional Blake stitch construction was unsuitable for rubber outsoles and waterproofing requirements, prompting the company to combine two established techniques into a hybrid approach.

Their solution stitches the upper directly to the lasting board using the Blake stitch method while adding a sidewall stitch to secure the outsole and seal the shoe. This dual-stitching approach enables quick and easy resoling while maintaining weather resistance, distinguishing GORAL trainers in the sneaker industry as fully resoleable.

The construction employs a leather-lasting board that retains the shoe's shape during resoling processes, paired with a thermoplastic rubber cup sole featuring sidewall stitching. GORAL backs this innovative construction with a lifetime repair guarantee, reflecting confidence in the durability and serviceability of their footwear.

GORAL operates from a purpose-built 12,000 square foot factory in Sheffield featuring a distinctive sloped glass ceiling. The facility was officially opened by The Princess Royal and represents a significant expansion from the company's humble beginnings with just two employees in 2010.

The factory currently employs 40 people total, including 35 skilled craftsmen on the production floor. Production capacity reaches 900 pairs of finished shoes and 1,700 uppers per week, with each shoe requiring 200 stages of manufacturing. The company has grown substantially from its early Sheffield days, reflecting both increased demand and expanded production capabilities.

Beyond producing GORAL-branded footwear, the factory also manufactures shoes for major brands including Dr Martens. This contract manufacturing work provides additional revenue streams while showcasing the company's production expertise to the broader footwear industry.

GORAL sources materials from both local UK suppliers and European tanneries to reduce transportation time and support regional supply chains. Primary UK sourcing includes leather from Charles F Stead's tannery in Leeds, one of England's most respected leather producers.

European suppliers span multiple countries, with the company working with tanneries in Spain, Portugal, and Italy to access specialized materials. Premium materials used in GORAL footwear include Horween Chromexcel leather and Italian calf leather, alongside smooth, soft full-grain Nappa leather for various models.

The company extends its local sourcing approach to packaging materials, using FSC certified packaging and shoe boxes manufactured in Northampton. This materials strategy aligns with the company's commitment to reducing environmental impact through shorter supply chains while maintaining high quality standards.

GORAL produces both handcrafted trainers and boots through a made-to-order system with turnaround times within ten days. The product range includes Chelsea boots and various trainer models, all featuring the company's signature Blake stitch resoleable construction.

The Mellor II sneaker represents a flagship model in the trainer category, showcasing the company's contemporary design approach while maintaining traditional construction methods. GORAL offers both barefoot-style shoes for minimalist preferences and traditional construction for conventional fit preferences.

All GORAL products emphasize the combination of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, positioning the brand in the premium handcrafted footwear market. The company's resoleable construction across all models represents a distinctive feature in the modern footwear industry, where most contemporary shoes are designed as disposable items.