when did doc martens stop being made in england
Dr. Martens In the 2000s, Dr. Martens were sold exclusively under the AirWair name, and came in dozens of different styles, including conventional black shoes, sandals and steel-toed boots. AirWair International's revenue fell from US $412 million in 1999 to $127 million in 2006.[9] In 2003, the Dr. Martens company came close to bankruptcy.[10] On 1 April that year, under pressure from declining sales, the company ceased making shoes in the United Kingdom,[11] and moved all production to China and Thailand. Five factories and two shops were closed in the UK as a result of this decision, and more than 1,000 of the firm's employees lost their jobs.[12] Following the closures, the R. Griggs company employed only 20 people in the UK, all of whom were located in the firm's head office.[13] 5 million pairs of Dr. Martens were sold during 2003, which was half the level of annual sales during the 1990s.[14]