Tarzan: Biggest export order to date, and more to come
Published: 11th Mar 2022
Tulbagh, W. Cape, SA - Tarzan Shoes, about 120 km north east of Cape Town in an area better known for its wines, is also one of SA's rare band of consistent footwear exporters.
Current MD John Olde-Oldhof, second generation head of the family-owned, predominantly stitchdown business, describes Tarzan's export history as follows:
"Most exports to Europe were done in 2004-2005. Unfortunately that market came to a halt when another supplier, from Portugal, entered the market offering a better margin, able to do so by cutting out shipping costs. Currently there are many more tiny avenues which are exported in Europe, which we hope to increase in future once Covid and the Russian issue come to a halt.
"I initially started exporting to America in 2012, though we weren't able to so under the Tarzan name, as you know Tarzan is a registered trademark for Disney. We had to find other avenues to proceed, but did so and had great success with vellies and ladies sandals. These items were in high demand as catwalk designs.
"Since 2017 we have had a great alliance with a company in the southern states. We have grown from a few test pairs to multiple orders per year. We found the market rather difficult to penetrate as the standards are set very high for manufacturing. But with the confidence we have in our products and the quality we deliver we were able to make a name (if not our own) with the products we supply.
"We are currently busy with our largest order to date, and according to projections and past data we hope to double up again on our next order this year. Even though during the first year of Covid we weren't able to export any items, we have taken further leaps ahead in taking this market by storm. The choice of style has also evolved from vellies and sandals to add boots to the range exported.
"Though we are a proudly South African, family-owned business, we also have come to the realization that we have to look across the waters to find the additional growth needed to survive the business climate in SA. All of us as South Africans are fully aware of all the challenges we face, but in the end, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
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