Structural changes in Spanish footwear industrial districts: the case of Illueca-Brea de Aragón

Abstract

Footwear industry undergoes a relocation process to low wages countries, playing a key role both great multinational firms and small-middle sized firms in industrial districts, who experience structural changes. The case of Illueca-Brea industrial district, a small and rural one, is analysed. The economic data of the district outline a negative trend, like Spain as a whole. Its structural changes consist, on the one hand, in relocation of footwear production, while commercialisation and final manufacturing lie in headquarters. On the other hand it consists in differentiation of products to high quality, design and technological complexity standards. In this process firms cooperate in a formal cluster, supported by local and regional administration.