Shoe Industry Pioneer Francisco Sánchez López Dies at 83 in Elda, Spain

Francisco Sánchez López, known as “Amaro,” died at age 83. He founded Calzados Sánchez Lauray, later renamed Spanish Shoes, which grew to employ around a hundred workers and supplied the American multinational Nina. Sánchez López was a key figure in Elda’s rise as a leading shoe‑manufacturing town and was active in local social initiatives, including the Moros y Cristianos festival and the Eldense sports club.

His funeral was scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 at the Tanatorio de Elda, attended by family, friends, local officials and representatives of the business association Avecal, which highlighted his contribution to placing Spanish footwear on the international map.