Rethinking Footwear: Made Plus Brings Sustainable, American-Made Shoes to Annapolis
On a recent episode of the AllAmerican.org podcast, host Mike sat down with Allan Guyan, Founder & CEO of Made Plus, to talk about how his Annapolis-based footwear company is reshaping the industry with sustainability, customization, and U.S. manufacturing at its core.
A New Model for Footwear Manufacturing
Traditional footwear manufacturing involves 300+ steps, overseas production, and massive overstock waste. Made Plus flips the script with a made-to-order approach that minimizes waste and allows for true shoe customization. By leveraging tools like 3D printing, automated knitting, and semi-automated stitching, the company creates high-performance shoes with greater efficiency.
Made Plus also prioritizes local sourcing, using yarn from North Carolina made from recycled plastic bottles. Each pair of shoes is crafted from approximately 6.5 recycled water bottles, proving sustainability can scale.
Building Community and Modern Careers
Based in Annapolis, Maryland, Made Plus is not only employing local talent but also attracting skilled tradespeople from across the U.S. The company partners with schools and universities to introduce students to modern, tech-driven manufacturing, while reimagining factory jobs as “craftsman-engineer” roles instead of low-skill labor.
From the Dock to the Court
Made Plus has quickly grown its product line:
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Skiff 1 & Skiff 2: nautical-inspired everyday shoes
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Bangr 1 & 2 (coming soon): sustainable pickleball shoes for a rapidly growing sport
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Running shoe: launching fall 2025
With its customization engine, customers can design shoes in over a billion color combinations—bringing personalization into footwear like never before.
Why U.S. Manufacturing Matters
For Made Plus, producing shoes in America means:
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Quality control & transparency
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Shorter production timelines (not the 18-month traditional cycle)
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Adaptability to trends and colors without excess waste
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Sustainable growth rooted in local communities
Looking Ahead
While challenges like higher production costs and wholesale competition exist, Made Plus is committed to expanding into athletic, lifestyle, and team sports footwear. The brand is scaling toward a larger U.S. factory, growing its presence in pickleball, and continuing to invest in innovation and sustainability.
Made Plus is proving that U.S.-based, sustainable footwear manufacturing is possible. By combining technology, customization, and community, the Annapolis company is paving the way for a more responsible future in the footwear industry
