Rowdy Bags: Wrong hall, but useful all the same

Rowdy Bags’ stand…In the US, it brands itself ‘Rowdy Roy’.

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Director Adam Young said Rowdy Bags has been in business for 12 years, and is already a consistent exporter. Its principal markets are in the UK and Switzerland, followed by Australia and Germany, and together they account for 30% of Rowdy Bags’ business by turnover? / units?

Founder Adam Young…Brand building is the core aim.

“Export is the way forward for South African manufacturers,” he said. “By European and North American standards, our labour is affordable and our currency is weak.”

Magic had been “interesting, but we were in the wrong place”, he said.

“The African Pavilion was in the Sourcing Hall. Visitors were looking for factories to make on their behalf – which of course we can do, and perhaps will do for some of the visitors who approached us. But brand building is our core function. Speaking to the organisers, they may split the African Pavilion next time between the Sourcing Hall and the Projects Hall, for emerging brands.

“I was of course grateful for the exposure, but I’d have been upset if I’d been paying for it myself.”

Rowdy’s range covers the spectrum of leather bags and smalls, from card holders to totes to duffel bags.