Highlights from A+A 2025
Head and Hearing Protection




Hand and Body Protection

HyFlex® and AlphaTec® Gloves: Ansell showcased next-generation gloves, including the HyFlex® 11-574 (thinner for better sensitivity) and AlphaTec® series gloves combining high-level chemical resistance with cut protection. Photo: Amazon.co.za
Tyvek® APX™ Fabric: DuPont unveiled this new, advanced fabric for disposable chemical garments that offers outstanding breathability to reduce heat buildup without compromising on protection or durability. Photo: DuPont



Foot Protection
Vibram Megagrip Pro: Vibram introduced a new high-performance rubber sole, inspired by mountaineering, designed to provide exceptional grip and stability on both wet and dry surfaces. Photo: Vibram
Connected and Smart Technologies


'X-ble Shoulder' Wearable Robot: Hyundai's Robotics LAB presented this exoskeleton to help workers performing repetitive overhead tasks by reducing shoulder stress by up to 60%. Photo: Hyundai

- A+A 2025: Product launches were aimed at the European market, but new technology – and fashion – will slowly make their way to AfricaShow report from Messe DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany (7 November 2025) – The theme for A+A 2025 was ‘People matter’.2,340 exhibitors from 70 countries presented a spectrum of products, technologies and innovations for a safe, healthy and sustainable world of work in 13 exhibition halls. There were 67,000 trade ...moreComments from South African visitors to A+A 2025We asked for feedback from South African companies that visited A+A 2025. ...more
Footwear Industry Articles
- Lemaitre’s Robust Pro, ‘based on user feedback, is a gamechanger in safety footwear’Lemaitre, a trusted leader in safety footwear, is proud to announce the launch of the New Robust Pro, a reimagined safety shoe designed to deliver unparalleled comfort, durability, and all-around protection for workers across industries. With the Robust Pro we set out to create a shoe that truly works as hard as the people who wear it by ...moreHow FootJoy’s superbly crafted shoes influenced my lifeAn Informative & Nostalgic Letter written in April 2025 to two executives at Acushnet (USA) – A leading golf corporation which includes FootJoy Shoes.RE: FootJoy & II recall the very first pair of FootJoy golf shoes my late father bought for me in July 1976. This wasn’t my first interaction with the brand that I had al ...moreR-CTFL meeting: Manufacturers told ‘to come back with something to show’Last week’s R-CTFL Masterplan meeting between retail, manufacturing, labour and government, with a concentration on footwear and leather goods, showed that the gulf between retail and the rest hasn’t narrowed.A follow-up meeting is planned for 08 May.The Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC), the SA Footwear & ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Minister Steenhuisen announces progress in FMD vaccination strategyPretoria, Gauteng, SA (15 April 2026) – The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, is pleased to report early data indicates that the current mass Foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccination strategy is yielding positive results. Crucially, there have been no new breakthroughs in herds that have already been vaccinated, providing a ...moreSam Setter's 'Pills': TraceabilityThe EU Commission is very much engaged in bringing traceability of our raw materials to the forefront of tannery management. But let’s reflect on this for a moment. In the industrial world traceability is a fact, and particularly where food is involved, traceability is a standard requirement for trading. This is firstly to ensure fo ...moreSam Setter's 'Pills': A different perspectiveOne reader, Marc, commented on my March Pill: ‘Sam, the real frustration isn’t the criticism itself. It’s that we haven't been able to get our message outside our own echo chamber. I'm interested. How would you see the leather industry actually breaking through that barrier? In 2026, trust rarely comes from industry stat ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- The PPE Conference – PPE isn’t optional, it’s essential: A reviewLeighton Bennett, the Safety First Association chairperson and a SHE and risk management consultantThe hosts of this first PPE Conference held in South Africa, were the Safety First Association and SAPEMA, on the 10 and 11 March 2026, at the Emperor’s Palace, in Kempton Park.This conference objectives were to provide a unique opport ...moreOccupational noise-induced hearing loss ‘is the most prevalent occupational disease in the world’Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is the most prevalent occupational disease in the world*. 16% of all disabling hearing loss in adults is due to noise exposure.It’s also expensive. According to one study, it costs US$242 million in annual compensation in the USA. In the UK, the typical cost per claim in the is £ ...moreProactive or reactive? The importance of choosing the correct hand protectionOur aim is to deliver value to the user experience by ensuring optimal protection, compliance, and operational confidence in every task performed.Hand protection has evolved significantly in response to the critical need to reduce workplace injuries and strengthen safety performance across diverse industries.Modern advancements in materia ...more






