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Award-Winning Georgia-Based Shoe Company Okabashi Brands Creates over 340 Jobs in Gwinnett County Through Major Onshoring

By Staff Writer Atlanta Trend
  • Jun 30, 2022

Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced that Okabashi Brands Inc., a Georgia-based shoe company, will create approximately 340 new jobs as they reinvest in their existing facility in Gwinnett County and grow.

 

“Okabashi Brands reflects the true spirit of Georgia business: innovative products, a hardworking and skilled team, and an unwavering sense of community,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Okabashi not only stayed open for business during the pandemic, they continued to grow and donated thousands of shoes to frontline workers. We’re proud Okabashi calls the Peach State home, and we look forward to their continued growth.”

 

Okabashi Brands is a third-generation family-owned and women-led shoe company based in Buford, Georgia. Established in 1984, the Georgia Made certified company has sold over 35 million pairs of shoes directly to major retailers, via ecommerce, and to major contract manufacturing customers. The company is one of the 1 percent of footwear manufacturers operating in the U.S. today.

 

Okabashi is committed to sustainable American manufacturing. Okabashi sandals are 100 percent recyclable and contain on average 25 percent of recycled content. They are recognized by the USDA Biopreferred program and are made of 45 percent soy by weight.

 

“Okabashi Brand’s commitment to our community and its people is one that dates back to the 1980s when my grandfather chose to bring his footwear manufacturing background to Georgia,” said Sara Irvani, CEO of Okabashi Brands. “The support from our community has fostered our growth and has allowed us to continue producing quality, American-made footwear. We are thrilled to be contributing to the local economy through this expansion.”

 

Okabashi Brands is located at 4823 Roy Carlson Boulevard in Buford. The company will invest over $20 million over the next five years, and the renovations will add new manufacturing lines and increase production by 100 percent. Okabashi is hiring for positions in manufacturing and distribution, and interested individuals can learn more and apply at www.okabashi.com.

 

“Okabashi Brands epitomizes the Gwinnett Standard, excelling in integrity, service, and stewardship,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “We appreciate their commitment to philanthropy, sustainability, and most importantly, supporting our vibrant community.”

 

As part of their long history of philanthropy, Okabashi Brands has donated over 100,000 pairs of shoes both directly and through a partnership with nonprofit Soles4Souls. Culture is a major focus for the company, which embraces diversity and has a strong track record of creating careers for its team members. Earlier this year, Okabashi received Partnership Gwinnett’s Movers and Makers: Manufacturing and Supply Chain Award for Corporate Citizenship based on their community involvement, educational partnerships, and workforce development.

 

Senior Project Manager Kristen Miller represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with Partnership Gwinnett, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power, and Georgia Quick Start.

 

in circular manufacturing practices and developing bio-materials.