September Nisshin: As a traditional and labor-intensive industry, the shoe leather sector has long been one of the core pillars of Wenzhou's economy. Over the past three decades, it has developed a relatively complete industrial production system, achieving notable growth in output value. It has maintained its status as China’s "Shoe Capital" and achieved sustainable development. However, with the rapid changes in the global market, the question arises: How can Wenzhou continue to lead the industry? What new inspiration can the Wenzhou model provide for the future? Transition Challenges: In today’s low-carbon economic environment, the shoe leather industry faces several challenges. Product quality is often low, and there is a lack of differentiation and innovation. The R&D capabilities are limited, and key links in the supply chain remain weak. While these industries generate economic benefits, they also contribute significantly to environmental pollution. During the financial crisis, the Wenzhou shoe leather industry struggled due to weak research capabilities, poor brand recognition, and limited international channels. Rising labor costs, talent shortages, and a lack of multi-skilled professionals have created a series of obstacles that hinder growth. Transformation Thinking: To overcome these challenges, the transformation and upgrading of the traditional industrial chain must accelerate. Encouraging technological innovation, promoting informatization, investing in energy-saving and environmentally friendly projects, and focusing on brand development are all crucial steps. Enterprises should develop independent brands, innovate marketing strategies, speed up restructuring, and strengthen product quality. These measures will help the industry move towards higher value and greater efficiency. Implementation Strategies: Wenzhou has gained valuable experience in transforming the shoe leather industry. Companies are encouraged to invest more in technology, optimize their industrial structures, enhance design and R&D capabilities, and increase product value. Participation in national and international standard-setting processes helps improve product quality, aesthetics, and competitiveness. By adopting advanced international standards, companies can align themselves with global expectations. Promoting an ecological footwear industry involves reducing emissions, improving clean production, and eliminating outdated, high-pollution manufacturing. This not only supports environmental sustainability but also strengthens the industry’s long-term viability. Industrial Resource Integration: Wenzhou is also working to integrate industrial resources and optimize the structure of the shoe leather industry. Increasing industry concentration, merging decentralized resources, and adjusting product mixes through brand building are key strategies. This shift aims to change the growth model, boost brand influence, and achieve new breakthroughs in both quantity and quality. Outsourcing orders for branded shoe companies are being localized, enhancing the overall competitive advantage of the industry cluster. Exploring clustered production models helps optimize resource allocation and create a shared development pattern. From a broader perspective, many Wenzhou shoe leather enterprises still operate at the OEM or ODM level, lacking full integration of production, supply, and sales. There is significant potential in areas such as procurement trade, brand promotion, product development, and trend platforms. However, a successful transformation requires identifying the right opportunities and taking bold steps toward change.