How Nike shoes are made in the Factory || Why Nike Shoes are so Expensive?

Summary

This video script tells the story of Nike's rise to dominance in the sportswear industry. From its inception in the 1960s by Phil Knight, selling Japanese running shoes, to the innovative Air Jordans that defied NBA dress codes and became cultural icons. The brand's commitment to design, innovation, sustainability, and ethical manufacturing, along with its massive marketing campaigns and celebrity endorsements, have solidified Nike's status as a symbol of quality, style, and a lifestyle choice.

Takeaways

• 🏀 Michael Jordan's entrance into the NBA in the 1980s revolutionized basketball and sneakers.
• 👟 The Air Jordans, a rebellious shoe against the NBA dress code, became iconic and revolutionized the sneaker industry.
• 🚀 Nike, founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, transformed from selling Japanese running shoes to becoming a global powerhouse.
• 🍳 Nike's first innovation, the waffle sole, was inspired by co-founder Bill Bowerman's kitchen experiments.
• 🎨 Nike’s design process combines creativity and advanced technology like 3D modeling and Flyknit fabric for sustainability.
• 🌍 Nike sources high-quality, environmentally-friendly materials, such as Flyleather and recycled Nike Air soles.
• 🏭 Nike shoes are manufactured in technologically advanced factories in Asia, blending human skill and technology.
• 💡 Nike’s marketing strategy sells more than shoes; it sells dreams and emotions, capturing the spirit of the times.
• 💰 Nike’s high prices are justified by factors such as research and development, premium materials, and ethical manufacturing.
• 🌟 Nike's partnerships with athletes like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams helped the brand transcend sports and influence culture.

Q & A

Who is Michael Jordan and how did he impact the NBA?

Michael Jordan is a former professional basketball player who became the name that defined the NBA and professional basketball. He was a young talent and a rookie with a very bright future. His dominance in every game with his mind-blowing skills made him a key figure in the sport.

What was the significance of the red, black, and white sneakers that Jordan wore?

The red, black, and white sneakers that Jordan wore were significant because they were against the NBA uniform code of dress. These shoes were the first Air Jordans, which were about to revolutionize basketball shoes and lead Nike to legendary status.

Who was Phil Knight and what was his vision for Nike?

Phil Knight was a middle-distance runner with a vision to import superior quality, low-priced running shoes from Japan to break the monopoly of German companies like Adidas. He started Blue Ribbon Sports, which later became Nike, with his former track coach Bill Bowerman.

What was the first major innovation by Nike?

The first major innovation by Nike was the introduction of the waffle sole, which provided better traction for runners. This was created by Bill Bowerman when he poured rubber into a waffle iron to make a prototype sole.

What is the significance of the Nike swoosh logo?

The Nike swoosh logo, which was designed in 1971 for $35 by a college student, has become the flagship logo of Nike. It is a simple check mark that is now recognized by almost everyone around the world.

How does Nike create its shoes?

Nike creates its shoes through a process that starts in its design facilities where designers and engineers work together using creativity and science. They use advanced 3D modeling and virtual prototyping to develop products quickly and efficiently.

What is the Flyknit technology and how does it benefit Nike?

Flyknit technology, released by Nike in 2012, is a thin and tight-fitting fabric woven as a single strand. It makes the shoes very comfortable and eco-friendly, reducing waste by about 60% compared to conventional cut and sew methods.

How does Nike ensure the quality of materials used in its shoes?

Nike ensures the quality of materials by sourcing the best and highest quality materials globally, with special emphasis on environmental concerns. Each material is chosen to fit the needs of the sport and the wearers.

What is the cultural impact of Nike?

Nike has a significant cultural impact as it is associated with sports, freedom to express oneself, and empowerment. The brand has been quick to grasp the importance of athletes as endorsers, partnering with legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Serena Williams.

Why are Nike shoes considered expensive?

Nike shoes are considered expensive due to several factors including research and development costs, premium materials, ethical manufacturing practices, marketing costs, and the brand value that commands a premium price.

How does Nike's marketing strategy contribute to its success?

Nike's marketing strategy contributes to its success by selling dreams and appealing to people's emotions through phrases like 'Just Do It' and narratives behind the Air Jordan line. They also collaborate with various brands and influencers to create excitement and maintain their status as a cultural icon.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 The Rise of Nike and Air Jordan

This paragraph narrates the story of Nike's ascent to dominance in the sportswear market, highlighted by the iconic moment when Michael Jordan, wearing the revolutionary Air Jordans, captivated audiences and defied the NBA's uniform code. The paragraph delves into the origins of Nike, starting with Phil Knight's vision to import affordable, high-quality Japanese running shoes to break the monopoly of German brands. It discusses the innovative 'waffle sole' and the significance of the swoosh logo, designed for just $35. The narrative also touches on Nike's design philosophy, which blends creativity with scientific innovation to produce cutting-edge athletic footwear.

05:02

🌍 Nike's Global Impact and Ethical Practices

Paragraph 2 explores Nike's commitment to sourcing the highest quality materials globally, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. It discusses the company's use of recycled materials and its efforts to reduce waste. The manufacturing process is described as a blend of human skill and technological advancement. The paragraph also highlights Nike's marketing prowess, its cultural impact, and the strategic use of athlete endorsements. The narrative touches on the fines Nike paid for Jordan's colorful shoes, which became a marketing boon. It also covers the reasons behind Nike's high prices, including research and development, premium materials, ethical manufacturing, and substantial marketing budgets.

10:03

💰 The Cost of Nike's Success

The final paragraph addresses the high price of Nike products, attributing it to the brand's reputation for quality, innovation, and style. It emphasizes that consumers are not just buying shoes but also a lifestyle and a legacy. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on Nike's enduring story and invites viewers to share their thoughts on the brand's evolution. It encourages viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and staying updated for more sneaker-related content.

Keywords

💡Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is a retired professional basketball player known for his pivotal role in popularizing the NBA and the sport of basketball. In the context of the video, Jordan's entry into the NBA marked a significant moment for both the sport and Nike, as he became the face of the Air Jordan brand, which revolutionized basketball shoes and propelled Nike to legendary status.

💡Air Jordans

Air Jordans are a brand of basketball shoes produced by Nike and created for Michael Jordan. The video script discusses how the red and black sneakers, which were against the NBA's uniform code, became a symbol of rebellion and revolution in the sneaker industry. They were not just footwear but a cultural phenomenon that helped Nike achieve iconic status.

💡Phil Knight

Phil Knight is the co-founder of Nike, Inc. The video script describes how Knight's vision to import high-quality, low-cost running shoes from Japan disrupted the market dominated by German brands like Adidas. Knight's entrepreneurial spirit and strategic thinking are central to the narrative of Nike's growth from a small operation to a global empire.

💡Blue Ribbon Sports

Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) was the precursor to Nike, founded by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman in 1964. As mentioned in the script, BRS started by selling Japanese running shoes out of Knight's car, marking the beginning of Nike's journey. The name change to Nike in 1971 and the introduction of the swoosh logo were pivotal moments in establishing the brand's identity.

💡Waffle Sole

The waffle sole is a significant innovation by Nike, originating from Bill Bowerman's kitchen experiment using a waffle iron to create a prototype sole for better traction. As highlighted in the video script, this innovation laid the foundation for Nike's future development and reputation for creating high-performance athletic footwear.

💡Innovation

Innovation is a core theme in the video, emphasizing Nike's commitment to creating cutting-edge athletic footwear. The script mentions various innovations such as the waffle sole and Flyknit technology, which exemplify Nike's dedication to improving athletic performance and sustainability.

💡Flyknit

Flyknit is a proprietary weaving technology introduced by Nike in 2012, as mentioned in the script. It produces a thin, form-fitting fabric that is both comfortable and eco-friendly, reducing waste by about 60% compared to traditional cut-and-sew methods. Flyknit is a prime example of Nike's innovative approach to material technology.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is a key aspect of Nike's material sourcing and manufacturing practices, as discussed in the script. The company's focus on using recycled materials like Fly Leather and ensuring ethical manufacturing processes reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility and social impact, which is increasingly valued by consumers.

💡Marketing Strategy

Nike's marketing strategy is a central theme in the video, highlighting the company's ability to sell not just products but also dreams and aspirations. The script references iconic marketing campaigns and slogans like 'Just Do It' and the cultural impact of the Air Jordan line, showcasing how Nike builds emotional connections with consumers and leverages celebrity endorsements.

💡Cultural Impact

Cultural impact refers to Nike's influence on popular culture, as discussed in the video. The company's association with legendary athletes like Michael Jordan and its embrace of individual expression have made it more than a sports brand; it's a symbol of empowerment and self-expression, resonating with a broad audience.

💡Ethical Manufacturing

Ethical manufacturing is a concept discussed in the script, referring to Nike's efforts to improve working conditions, provide fair wages, and ensure a safe and healthy environment in its factories. These practices, while costly, are crucial for the company's commitment to corporate responsibility and its品牌形象.

💡Brand Value

Brand value is a key concept in the video, explaining why Nike products command a premium price. The script notes that consumers are willing to pay more for Nike products due to the brand's reputation for quality, innovation, and style. The value of the Nike brand extends beyond the product itself, offering a sense of belonging to a global community and a lifestyle.

Highlights

Michael Jordan's entry into the NBA in the 1980s revolutionized the game and the basketball shoe market.

Jordan's red, black, and white sneakers, the Air Jordans, defied the NBA's uniform code and became a cultural icon.

The Air Jordans were a catalyst for Nike's rise to legendary status in the sneaker industry.

Phil Knight's vision in the 1960s to import affordable, high-quality Japanese running shoes laid the foundation for Nike.

Bill Bowerman's innovative waffle sole design was a major breakthrough for Nike's footwear.

In 1971, Blue Ribbon Sports was renamed Nike, honoring the Greek goddess of victory.

The iconic Nike swoosh logo was designed by a college student for just $35, symbolizing a check mark.

Nike's design facilities are at the forefront of blending creativity and science in athletic footwear.

The introduction of Flyknit technology in 2012 exemplifies Nike's commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Nike sources the highest quality materials globally, with a focus on environmental concerns.

The manufacturing process of Nike shoes combines advanced technology with skilled human labor.

Nike's marketing strategy sells dreams and emotions, not just shoes, through powerful narratives and slogans.

Nike's partnerships with athletes like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Serena Williams have been crucial to its cultural impact.

The high price of Nike shoes is attributed to research and development, premium materials, ethical manufacturing, marketing costs, and brand value.

Nike's investment in research and development is significant, aiming to create the next shoe sensation.

Ethical manufacturing practices, including decent wages and safe working conditions, contribute to the cost of Nike products.

Nike's marketing budget is substantial, with celebrity endorsements and iconic ads factoring into the product price.

The brand value of Nike commands a premium, as consumers are willing to pay more for the lifestyle and legacy associated with the brand.

Nike's future shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to innovate and lead in the sneaker industry.

Transcripts

a world changing idea picture this the

beginning of the 1980s Michael Jordan

enters the court and the crowd goes

crazy as he dominates every game with

his mindblowing skills spacular night

for the Bulls as Jordan has come up with

another

steal Jordan to link to the floor and a

TCH Ricky mord hustling underneath can't

get it the fall Jordan to the hoop King

in the air score Jordan became the name

that defined NBA and professional

basketball he was a young NBA talent and

a rookie but the future was very bright

for him but there's something else going

on something that would alter not only

the basketball shoe market but the

entire sneaker Market as well sitting on

Jordan's feet is a pair of red black and

white sneakers that are against the NBA

uniform code of dress but they're not

just Rebels they're revolutionists these

shoes were Christian Air Jordans and

they were about to revolutionize

basketball shoes and Lead Nike to

Legendary status but how did it come up

to such a state that a pair of shoes

could dictate pop culture and why do

Nike sneakers cost so much get prepared

to embark on a journey and learn about

how Nike a brand that didn't merely

revolutionize a game but became the game

in itself s but before we jump in make

sure you smash that like button and

subscribe if you're an OG Nike fan the

birth of Nike from a dream to a global

Empire now let's take a trip back to the

1960s where this story will start with

Phil Knight a middle distance Runner

with a vision that extended past the

Finish Line Knight had an idea that was

as promising as it was simple to do so

it had to import superior quality low

priced running shoes from Japan to break

the Monopoly of German companies like

Adidas he consulted with his former

track coach Bill Bowerman who had been

using different designs of running shoes

to favor his athletes the two began Blue

Ribbon Sports in 1964 selling Japanese

running shoes in Knight's car but these

two were not satisfied with just being

middlemen of somebody else's products

Bowerman always the tinkering found

inspiration in the most unlikely of

places his kitchen he should have been

able to cater to all the kitchen needs

of the house without having to travel

far to get to the necessary utensils or

equipment he then took some rubber and

poured it into a waffle iron to make a

prototype soul that would provide better

traction to the runner this was the

Genesis of Nike's first major Innovation

introduction of the waffle Soul which

laid the foundation for the firm future

development of the brand in

1971 Blue Ribbon Sports was named Nike

in honor of the Greek goddess of Victory

the same year they also launched the

swoo logo which today has become the

flages ship logo of Nike paying only $35

to a college student for the design

people could hardly have imagine that

this symbol which is actually a check

mark will be known by almost everyone

around the world the making of a legend

how Nike shoes are created from that

humble beginning Nike grew into a

Powerhouse of innovation constantly

pushing the boundaries of what athletic

footwear could be but how do they create

the shoes that dominate the courts the

tracks and the streets well let's break

it down one design and Innovation it

starts in Nike's design facilities which

are some of the best equipped in the

world for the task of design blending

creativity and science since shoes are

not just ornaments to wear but also

tools used in different activities

designers and Engineers work together to

come up with the best designs they're

able to use new shapes new materials and

new technologies through advanced 3D

modeling and virtual prototyping and so

they're able to develop the products in

a shorter time by avoiding the physical

models Nike has always been keen on

Innovation and this is well illustrated

by the flynit technology that the

company released in 2012 this thin and

tight fitting fabric is woven as a

single Strand and therefore the shoe is

very comfortable as well as eco-friendly

fly nit cuts the wastage by about 60% as

compared to the conventional cut and sew

methods and as is suitable for Nike's

sustainability objectives number two

material sourcing Nike shoes employ the

best and highest quality materials which

are sourced globally with special

emphasis on concern for the environment

whether it's soft luxurious leather for

lifestyle sneakers or hardwearing

synthetic for running sneakers each

material is chosen to fit the needs of

the sport and the wearers Nike has also

grown in its recycling Endeavors for

example fly leather used by them

consists of at least 50% recycled

natural leather fiber and Nike Air soles

with at least 50% recycled material this

focus on sustainability doesn't only cut

costs and minimize the environmental

impact it also adds to the image of the

brand that is appreciated by consumers

who care about the

environment number three

manufacturing after the design has been

adopted and the materials being used

have been procured the manufacturing

process commences Nike shoes are

manufactured and technologically

advanced shoe making factories located

in Asia where human skill and Technology

are applied at their best what makes

Nike so special beyond the sneakers but

what is it that puts Nike on top of the

shoe game what made Nike be the industry

giant for such an extended period it's

not just about creating great shoes but

the creativity and markting strategy and

the aptness at identifying and seizing

the spirit of the age one marketing Nike

is well known for its marketing they do

not only sell shoes they sell dreams it

makes perfect sense since Nike

understands how to appeal to people's

emotions be it through phrases like just

do it or the narratives behind the Air

Jordan line they also have learned the

art of cooperation and have teamed up

with everyone from luxury fashion brands

to Urban Wear Legends to produce capsule

collections that cause a lot of

excitement did you know that Nike had to

pay $5,000 as fines whenever Michael

Jordan wore their shoes on court as the

bright colored designs of the Nike

Jordans kind of messed up with their

uniform policies I guess they were too

much of a distraction and in consistent

with the overall aesthetic of the game

Nike though took it as a great marketing

opportunity and decided to start a war

against NBA's fashion policies and guess

what Nike won the war and ushered in an

era of increased acceptance for

individual expression and fashion

especially among athletes number two

cultural impact Nike is among the few

brands that possess the capability of

influencing and defining culture they

were quick to grasp the importance of

athletes as endorsers and having Michael

Jordan LeBron James and Serena Williams

as partners have placed the brand in the

category of Legends Nike is not only

associated with sports but with the

freedom to express oneself and Empower

yourself and this is why Nike is loved

by many the price tag why Nikes are so

expensive however the last thing we need

to discuss is the price or the cost of

this all why does it appear that one has

to spend all of their money to get a

pair of Nikes it's not only when you see

the swish on the side of the shoe there

are several reasons that have impact on

the price number one research and

development Nike invests millions of

dollars in research and development to

design the next Shoe Sensation just like

how we discussed earlier number two

premium materials it's again associate

ated with Nike's utilization of quality

materials as we have already discussed

to some extent above from its premium

leather to its flynit technology as well

as recycled material Nike doesn't skimp

when it comes to what goes into the

shoes number three ethical manufacturing

Nike like any other company has received

its fair share of criticism on the

treatment of its workers but has in the

recent past changed for the better they

have embarked on on measures to provide

decent wages a safe and healthy

environment in their factories as well

as promotion policies for their

employees these ethical practices are

expensive in terms of production but are

important in Nike's policy on corporate

responsibility number four marketing

costs those iconic ads and celebrity

endorsements don't come cheap Nike's

marketing budget is enormous and the

cost of these campaigns is factored into

the price of their products number five

brand value finally there's the simple

fact that people are willing to pay more

for Nike products the brand has built a

reputation for Quality Innovation and

style and that reputation commands a

premium when you buy a pair of Nikes

you're not just buying shoes you're

buying into a lifestyle a legacy and a

global Community as we look into the

future Nike shows no signs of slowing

down so the next time you lace up your

Nikes remember you're not just wearing a

pair of shoes you're stepping into a

story that's been decades in the making

and that's something worth every penny

so what are your thoughts on Nike's

Evolution let us know in the comments

below and if you enjoyed this journey

through the world of Nike don't forget

to like subscribe and hit that

notification Bell to stay updated on all

things sneakers is