Exploring the PRO WELL story

Learning how this footwear materials and components specialist has grown since its birth in 2022 to become a major supplier to leading global brands.

Taiwan-based PRO WELL Limited was established in order to develop the business legacy built by Norya International. Norya – also located on the island – was founded in 2000 to distribute advanced shoe manufacturing machinery from Italy. Later that same year, it forged a partnership with leading toe puff (box toe) and stiffener (counter) manufacturer Rhenoflex to become the German firm’s exclusive agent in Asia.

Through this successful relationship, Norya introduced to the market Rhenoflex’s innovative ‘Power Printing Counter’ – a ‘waste-free’ product said to require no cutting or skiving. A number of major athletic shoe brands quickly began using this material, which led to the expansion of production facilities across key shoe manufacturing hubs in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.

In 2016, Rhenoflex acquired Norya, which integrated its workforce and operations into Rhenoflex Asia. The journey continued when Coats purchased Rhenoflex in 2022. Soon after this acquisition, the original Norya team established PRO WELL to carry forward the mission and business which had begun over two decades previously.

The portfolio of products

Today, PRO WELL offers a diverse range of goods – from single-layer extruded sheet materials to high-performance, multi-layer constructions. It also manufactures ready-to-use powder-printed and customised stiffener components that are shaped and tailored to meet the customer’s specific requirements. It is proud to have been the first Asian company to offer bespoke components of this type.

According to PRO WELL, its state-of-the-art cutting centre provides cutting and skiving services, while recycling leftover material into sheet products, thus supporting environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. The company can recycle customers’ waste materials, even if these are originally from another manufacturer.

By reducing material waste and repurposing scraps, it reportedly helps shoe manufacturers to streamline their processes, reduce stock and minimise their carbon footprint.

Target markets

PRO WELL serves international shoe brands that source their production in Asia. It has factories strategically located in China, Vietnam and Indonesia for fast door-to-door delivery. These locations are said to enable the company to provide materials locally, thus reducing transportation lead times and offering greater convenience to its customers in the region.

The firm’s focus is on supplying materials directly into Asia’s key footwear manufacturing hubs, therefore ensuring efficient delivery and support for leading global brands. PRO WELL’s products are used in most footwear types, including formal shoes, sports footwear, industrial boots and children’s shoes.

PRO WELL’s factories and production lines

Each of the company’s factories is equipped with specialised manufacturing lines with the goal of serving its clients in an efficient manner. PRO WELL’s Chinese operation has a yearly capacity of 30 million pairs of printed components, with expansion possible by the addition of more machines. Its cutting centre is also able to produce 30 million pairs per year, and the necessary powder is produced in-factory.

PRO WELL Vietnam has a production capacity of 50 million pairs per year, which again is expandable if additional machines are used. Sheet materials are produced on a dual-extrusion machine which has a capacity of six million square metres per year. A recycling facility equipped with shredders and granulators is located within the factory, and a cutting centre is scheduled to open by the end of 2024, with a predicted annual capacity of 30 million pairs.

The operation in Indonesia also has an in-house powder production facility and the capacity to make 70 million pairs of print components per year. The plant’s cutting centre is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, with a predicted yearly capacity of 30 million pairs.

PROPRINT stiffener production

Finished stiffeners rolling off the conveyor belt

A PRO WELL extrusion machine

Why the company works with SATRA

“SATRA is a trusted provider of testing methods and standards for the footwear industry, helping brands to effectively manage their Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers,” commented PRO WELL founder and chief executive, Eric Pan. “Its testing standards have become widely recognised across the industry, ensuring consistent and reliable reporting.

“In addition to testing, SATRA supports its members by helping them set up in-house laboratories, enabling better in-line quality control,” he added. “Through monthly SATRA Bulletin magazines and technical updates, SATRA provides valuable industry insights and technical information. This partnership allows us to share our company and production advancements with the footwear industry while we are able to stay informed on the latest market knowledge and innovations.”

The photograph at the top of this report shows members of the PRO WELL team at a recent trade exhibition.

Publishing Data