Historical highlights: How Rockshoes became Trailmix Trading
Rockshoes was one of the many successful footwear factories in Pinetown in the 1960s through to the early 2000s. Its successor, Trailmix Trading, has repeated that success, as an importer and wholesaler. Here’s how it unfolded.
Directors in the 1970s…Mike Pengelly, Max Schiller, Mike Schiller.
Rockshoes (Pty) Ltd was founded by George Rocker and Max Schiller in 1960. In 1966 George left to go solo.
Max brought out Dave Berry from John Berry & Sons, England, in 1967 to run the factory which he did until 1970 before moving on to other manufacturing opportunities within the region.
In 1971 Mike Pengelly, Bata trained, bought shares in the business and became a 50/50 partner with Max. Max’s son, Michael Schiller, educated at Kearsney College, joined the business and later became a co-director with Mike and Max.
Dave rejoined Rock in 1982 to assist with restructuring the manufacturing plant, a turning point in the success of the factory, producing up to 5 000 pairs of quality leather sandals per day.
In 1985, Max passed away. The property was sold and a new updated, state of the art factory was built in New Germany.
In 1989 Brett Pengelly joined the business where he was taken under Dave’s wing to be fully trained in all spheres of factory management, production, etc. ready to take over upon Dave’s proposed retirement in 1999, a plan brought to fruition.
In the meantime, Paradise Footwear Wholesalers had been running parallel to Rock, both importing and buying from local manufacturers. It was a very successful operation, well known for the 1 million plus pairs of Californian lasted ladies’ comfort shoes and 1 million plus pairs of Kung Fu canvas Baby Dolls, among many other Winners.
In 2005 Rockshoes was deregistered and closed, and Trailmix Trading cc was registered as a wholesaler and importer. with Brett Pengelly being the sole member of the new business.
Dave, living in Underberg, has just finished his autobiography, which promises to be a very interesting read.
Mike Pengelly and Michael Schiller are enjoying retirement.
May Max Schiller, a mentor and doyen of the industry, RIP.
As they are now…Mike Pengelly, Trailmix Trading sales manager Fayzal Ally, Dave Berry, and Trailmex Trading member Brett Pengelly.
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