Andres Sendra

Spanish factory in Almansa founded in 1913. Andres Sendra is Spain's equivalent of Carlos Santos, a major manufacturer producing for at least 8 brands (J. Fitzpatrick, Cobbler Union, Septième Largeur, Sons of Henrey, Löf & Tung, etc.) plus its own brand. Solid Goodyear welt construction, quality leathers, reasonable prices.

Andres Sendra founded his factory in Almansa in 1913, in a Castilla-La Mancha region that was then a historic center of Spanish shoemaking. The company is a branch of Sendra Boots, Spain's major western boot manufacturer. Three generations later, Javier Sendra runs the factory as executive director. Angel, one of the craftsmen, has been there 40 years.

Capacity is impressive: up to 400 pairs per day. The main construction is Goodyear welt, but the factory also handles Blake and simpler constructions. Leathers come from Tanneries du Puy in France and Spanish tanneries. The process runs from hide to box, everything done in-house.

What makes Andres Sendra unique is its role as OEM manufacturer for much of the European welted shoe industry. J. Fitzpatrick, Cobbler Union, Septième Largeur, Sons of Henrey, Löf & Tung, Skoak, Cavour, The Sabot, Shoe Passion, Loding, Spier: at least eight to ten brands produce at Sendra. Same workshop, same craftsmen, same leathers. It's the Carlos Santos logic on the Spanish side: "might as well go to the source" as les passionnés regulars put it.

Direct prices run €345-385. For Goodyear welt with French leather, hard to do better. Customization options are extensive at no extra charge: Vibram, hybrid leather-rubber sole, 180°, 270° or 360° welt, open or closed channel. The patina service is integrated with an exceptional two-week turnaround.

Misiu Academy visited the factory in 2022 and noted the modernity of equipment combined with artisanal work. On Styleforum, the appreciation thread has been running since 2016 with consistently positive feedback. The Jean last is generous and true to size, the Boss last runs wide (E width). Customer service responds within minutes. For a century-old factory that quietly shoes half the brands you know, Andres Sendra remains surprisingly accessible.