Allbirds Went From $1.7B Valuation to Struggling

Allbirds raised $200M, hit a $1.7 billion valuation, and became the poster child for
sustainable footwear. Then things got complicated — manufacturing disruptions in
Vietnam, rising costs, and a supply chain that couldn't support the growth.

We diagnose what went wrong and lay out exactly what we'd do to fix it.

→ The founding story: how a professional soccer player and a renewables engineer
built the wool shoe that changed sustainable footwear
→ What ZQ-certified Merino wool actually costs operationally — and why it matters
→ Where the supply chain started to strain: Vietnam, rising costs, scaling pressure
→ Aaron's operator's fix: what he'd change in sourcing, manufacturing, and ops
→ What Allbirds teaches about sustainability-first supply chains at scale

Is your supplier ghosting you?

You’ve been messaging a factory and everything feels on track: quick replies, steady progress, real momentum. Then suddenly, it all stops. No updates. No replies. Just silence, leaving you wondering what went wrong and what to do next.

We go over why it happens and how to prevent it in our latest blog.

Looking to improve your sourcing or move production with confidence?

Our team helps brands find trusted factories, streamline production, and reduce risks when scaling or relocating manufacturing.

Schedule a Call to explore how we can support your sourcing goals.