Footwear Industry Articles
- Hello Quality: An accidental purchase leads to a new business with big ideasCape Town, W. Cape, SA – Horse riding is mostly an elite activity, and it comes with specialised requirements – it’s not an industry you stumble into by chance.Not usually, anyway.In 2014, former Zimbabwean Pardon Gwenzi was running a bar at a golf club in Greenpoint, and with the cold Cape winter approaching, he and his ...moreFashion World Tokyo: Products that are identifiably African attract interestA series on successful South African footwear and leather goods exporters. Sponsored by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC).A South African delegation returned to Japan’s Fashion World Tokyo trade fair from 10-12 October, for the first time post-covid. Described as ‘Japan’s largest international fashion ...more30 million units sold, €1.243 billion in sales in just 1 year — the remarkable story of BirkenstockIn the ever-evolving world of fashion and footwear, Birkenstock has emerged as a true titan, boasting a performance that commands attention. The company sold a staggering 30 million units, amassing an impressive €1.243 billion in sales. While these numbers alone are enough to turn heads, the real story lies in the fact that Birkensto ...moreFrom outsider to visionary — how Oliver Reichert reshaped BirkenstockWhen Oliver Reichert assumed the role of CEO at Birkenstock in 2013, he brought something the iconic German footwear brand hadn’t seen in generations — an outsider’s perspective. This move was unconventional, and some may have questioned entrusting the legacy of a family-owned company to someone unfamiliar with the shoe ...moreThe hidden giant behind top brands: Stella International — is this company the barometer of what’s happening in footwear?I've stumbled upon something rather intriguing. It appears that Stella International, Hong Kong, is the manufacturer behind the scenes for several well-known footwear brands. The extent of their involvement in the industry is truly impressive, and I had no prior knowledge of this. ...moreDesma: SA needs to play to its strengthsSouthern Africa still has promise as a footwear manufacturing region – especially if it plays to its potential strengths and doesn’t try to outcompete the East on price, Desma Schuhmaschinen regional sales manager René Muschalle said.Although the PU moulding and robotic machinery manufacturer sells big ticket items, it& ...moreVolontè: Upgrade and diversify advice to SAVolontè System Conveyor director Felice Volontè believes South African footwear manufacturers have the potential to increase production “substantially”, and to grow their export business, but that they must upgrade their products, and diversify their production.He was an annual visitor to South Africa before covi ...moreOrmac: Big or small, manufacturers need innovative machineryMaking track machinery manufacturer Ormac has “made a lot of improvements over the last 10 years”, sales area manager Gabriele Pauroso said.Among the trends have been all-in-one solutions to reduce the space required for machinery. “We have competitors who are promoting robotics,” he said, “but those take up ...morePMC: Leather cutting, ‘TPR lite’ among the highlightsOn the shoe machinery side, Italy is holding its own. Companies that have been around for many years are positive for future trading. There are 2 reasons – China is slowing, and their manufacturers are concentrating on high tech industries mainly pertaining to electronic goods.. Also, the Italian government is assisting Italian shoe ...moreObituary: Michele Di Lembo – Villani Shoes (17/08/1939-01/08/2023) From training me to family lunches, a stickler for detailJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA – In loving memory of my dad, Michele Di Lembo, born on August 17, 1939, in Campolieto, Italy, and who peacefully departed on 1st August 2023. He ventured to South Africa in 1961, as a highly skilled shoe creator and cobbler, and worked as the factory manager at an Italian factory, Curtolo Shoes. He did not ...more© S&V Publications