Asmall’s: Upbeat, so far

By common consent, 2024 has been a difficult year for almost all businesses, organisations, government departments and people in the SA leather value chain. The main exceptions would have been successful exporters, because the domestic market has been getting poorer year after year. The underlying reasons are mostly to do with the policie ...more

Sponsored by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC).The worldwide footwear sector is experiencing notable changes driven by technology advancements, evolving fashion trends, and shifting consumer preferences. Below are the significant trends and shifts in consumer purchasing habits.Current Trends in Footwear1. Emphasis on s ...more

Puma’s recent decision to significantly reduce leather usage in its footwear is a clear reflection of the evolving landscape of the fashion industry, driven primarily by the preferences of the younger generation. Gen Y, Z, and Alpha, who collectively make up around 65% of the U.S. population, are increasingly pri ...more

Africa, specifically South Africa, leads the world in the traceability of leather, especially crocodilian and ostrich leather. Created decades ago, the trace and tracking system adapted for the high value exotic skins was implemented to prevent skin theft, and to monitor the value of skins (to enable the final payment to co-operative farm ...more

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Fusion Leather World (Pty) Ltd is the 11th South African tannery to become a Leather Working Group (LWG) certified supplier. It has been awarded a silver rating.“It’s now expected of leather exporters to have certification,” said MD Denzil Spolander. “Most of our growth will be from e ...more

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (25 October 2024) – The Department of Agriculture has announced that the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, which occurred during 2021-2022, has been successfully resolved in the North West, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga Provinces. These provinces, which were initially impacted by the outbreak, have n ...more

Durban, KZN, SA (11 September 2024) – ISO accreditation is a strategic investment that empowers businesses to enhance their competitiveness, mitigate risks, and seize new market opportunities. By adhering to globally recognised standards, organisations can build trust, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth. While the ...more

Subcommittee F15.12 aims to fill the gap on breathing hazards for infant products W. Conshohocken, Pa., U.S. (26 September 2024) – ASTM’s consumer products committee (F15) has begun a new subcommittee on Firmness and Breathability of Juvenile Products (F15.12) on infant breathability test methods. The subcommitt ...more

Pinetown, KZN, SA – At Neptun Safety Footwear, our commitment to local manufacturing goes beyond producing quality footwear—it’s about building a sustainable, self-reliant economy in South Africa. We are passionate about growing local industries, not just for the jobs they create today but for the future they secure for ...more