Rising footwear imports create tougher environment for Brazil’s Vulcabras, says CEO

Despite the competitive landscape, Vulcabras plans to maintain a steady pace of investment in machinery modernization and new hires, according to CEO Pedro Bartelle. He noted that the company’s current manufacturing structure still has enough capacity to continue growing without the need for physical expansion.

Bartelle emphasized that footwear imports into Brazil have risen by around 40%, creating a more challenging environment for domestic manufacturers.

Brazilian Footwear Imports | Jan 2022 – Sep 2025 | TEU

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The executive spoke on Friday (31) during a conference call on the company’s third-quarter results. Vulcabras is completing the expansion of its distribution center in Horizonte (CE) as part of efforts to meet growing demand for athletic footwear.

According to Bartelle, supply for the company’s Corre line remains unsteady. “Sometimes you get to the store and can’t find your size,” he said.

The company’s expansion plans extend beyond its Olympikus brand. Vulcabras has also developed a Brazilian running shoe line in partnership with U.S.-based Under Armor, previously focused only on basketball and training shoes. The launch is expected in 2026.

Additionally, the Mizuno brand will introduce new high-performance running models. This growth is taking place even amid the surge in imports, which, according to Bartelle, “creates a more challenging environment.”

Vulcabras reported a net profit of R$547.2 million in the third quarter, a 217.8% increase from the same period last year. Revenue rose 21.8%, reaching R$955.7 million.

Source: Valor Econômico

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