All CYDWOQ products are crafted by hand in our factory in Burbank, California. From the very beginning, Rafi had no interest in outsourcing manufacturing operations to China or other sources of inexpensive labor. Instead, he employs dozens of skilled artisans passionate about their work and committed to the CYDWOQ cause.
Factory = Laboratory
Aside from producing higher quality, having a local factory yields another critical benefit. Since Rafi designs in his head and not on computer, he needs his equipment close at hand to test out and refine the vision he sees in his mind. The products displayed on this website and sold in stores throughout the world would never have come into being if he had to send specs overseas and then wait weeks or months for the result.
A Unique Operation
Most shoe companies make only the uppers and get the components from third parties. At CYDWOQ, our factory manufactures the complete shoe with 90% of the components (e.g., heels, insoles, outsoles, wooden soles) constructed in-house.
On one side of the factory, the shoe-makers hand-cut the leather bottoms and shape the insoles and soles to the shape of the foot. Other craftsmen hand-cut and sand the custom wood heels. On the other side, shoe-makers sew the uppers and attach them to the lasts using water-based glues. Once completed, the soles and uppers meet in the center of the factory for final assembly, hand-painting, cleaning, and quality control.
A Common Purpose
Our factory has seen very little staff turnover since opening in 1996. This is not surprising since Rafi takes great care in selecting new employees. As Factory Manager in addition to Chief Designer, he knows the value of passionate people who believe in the common purpose of producing high-quality, long-lasting products of distinctive design.
