Strictly shoe maker steps forward with technology
Sam Read/BBCA family-run business that makes dance shoes for Strictly Come Dancing said it has welcomed new technology in order to be more productive.
International Dance Shoes (IDS), in Milton Keynes, has supplied the ballroom and Latin footwear for the show’s dancers for more than two decades.
The business has received a grant of £20,000 from Made Smarter South East, a government-backed programme helping manufacturers adopt new digital tools.
Justin Patel,the managing director of IDS, said the money was “really important” as it would allow the company access to better machinery next year and increase its output by 10%.
He added the new machinery would “help us combine multiple processes into one and speed things up a lot”.
Sam Read/BBCThe company is one of the UK’s last remaining specialist dance shoe manufacturers and produces about 40,000 pairs a year, supplying customers across the US, Europe, Australia and East Asia.
Rashmi Patel, Justin’s father, founded IDS in 1981 after previously working for a shoe company.
He said that it was “great to have my shoes on Strictly every year” since the beginning of the series, which is filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
He said he often goes to the studios to help fit the shoes for those taking part in the competition.
Sam Read/BBCIDS has been working with Made Smarter South East to carry out a review of the shoe maker’s products, processes and workforce to create a digital transformation roadmap.
IDS said the new technology would help raise product quality through greater precision in the production process.
Jez Heys from Made Smarter said the new technology would not lead to job cuts as it “allows people to upskill on the new machinery”.
Sam Read/BBCJustin Patel said that Strictly was “a special part of our story” and it was a very busy period for them when the show is on.
“While the judges and viewers are glued to the celebrities and pro-dancers, we are watching the shoes to make sure they perform,” he added.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm today.
