At Play, we are very interested in how things are made. We’re also interested in helping people achieve their dreams. So, when our friend Cam told us that he wanted to design shoes for a living, it got us thinking about the process of making shoes. A quick Google search revealed that Canada West Boots has been making shoes and boots in Winnipeg for over 40 years. We reached out to them and arranged a factory tour for ourselves and Cam.

On December 5th, we met up with Garth Sackrison, sales manager for Canada West Boots, to learn about their history and manufacturing processes. Canada West Boots builds high-quality footwear the way shoes and boots were made decades ago. They supply footwear to the Canadian military and manufacture everything from cowboy boots to specialty work boots, to oxfords. What distinguishes Canada West Boots from other manufacturers is the fact that their shoes can be re-soled when they get worn out. This means that, if you take good care of your shoes, they will last you a very long time. Sticking to tried and true techniques makes them a unique business here in our city and in the footwear manufacturing industry in general.

Garth took us from the start of the line, where the leather is selected and cut into various shapes, to the end of the line, where the final product is tagged and packaged for delivery. We learned about the different machines and tools used in the manufacturing process and saw how the footwear comes together one step at a time. Check out the photos and videos below to see some of the process come to life.

Winnipeg is fortunate to have a company like Canada West Boots right here in our city, and it was a great opportunity for us to learn about something we sometimes take for granted. We sincerely appreciate the time Garth took to teach us about what they do and to accommodate our group in the factory. If you ever have the opportunity to visit them, check out their store at 1250 Fife Street or visit their website here.