S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol82 No8 Oct 2019
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Business Barometer
- Sans Singh, FST Manufacturers: Tough year, but some good signs for 2020.
- Fernand Vandenheede, Galabiss: Stick to your costings...we've hit bottom.
- Fiona Borthwick, FSP Collection: No orders in January, now we can't make enough.
- Saeed Bux, Elahi Footwear: Concern that there are no orders for 2020.
Doing Things Differently
- Veldskoen: What's in a name? A group of outsiders show the footwear industry how it's done.
Local Manufacturing
- The DTI's Master Plan: Chains, manufacturers, labour and government 'must work together'.
Opinion about the U.S. market by NPD
- The year in footwear, so far.
- Influencing up: The younger generation's impact on sustainable fashion.
- Women's handbags: The new normal.
- Sneakernomics: Back-to-school 2019 athletic footwear trends.
Online
- Digital marketing - content by Shikaar Mahabir, Activate.
Business Advice
- Special offer advice for your small business by the National Small Business Chamber.
Innovation
- Link: Part sneaker, part flip flop.
- SATRA to show PPE testing capabilities at A+A.
Sustainability and the Environment
- 7.5 tons of vinyl floor off-cuts collected, and most of it will end up in footwear sole units.
African Free Trade Agreement
- 'Get involved in devising standards,' SABS warns footwear manufacturers ahead of African free trade.
African Free Trade Agreement
- Texon highlights sustainability in new products and key appointment.
Company News
- Rugby legend gives Zambian-made Kaleza boots the thumbs up.
Notice Board
- Obituary: Mike Gedye - Always larger than life.
- Obituary: Mark Bennett - Many things to many people.
Advertisers in this Issue
Activate (2), Chillisource/Shoepack (7), Creative Leathergoods Manufacturers (6), Kaytex Belts (8), Mossop Leather (OFC), Strassberger's (9).
- Stick to your costings...we've hit bottom
Fernand Vandenheede, member, Galabiss cc. Unit sole mould manufacturer. Pinetown, KZN, SA - It's been a tough year, but there's still work to be had. The weak Rand has helped exports, and I'm currently cheaper than China. Overall, it's been fairly good. You have to be more efficient, and you have to stick to your guns. Do your costin ...moreNo orders in January - now we can't make enough
Fiona Borthwick, MD, FSP Collection (Pty) Ltd. Handbag manufacturer.Cape Town, W Cape, SA - So far, we're down on last year. If you talk to me at the end of December, we'll probably be on par. When we opened in January, there were no orders. People said we had to wait for the outcome of the elections in May, and from June, orders started ...moreVeldskoen
What's in a name? A group of outsiders show the footwear industry how it's done.It's probably fair to say that Digital Online Retail Platforms (DORP) - better known as Veldskoen - is South Africa's first global footwear brand. The genius of its creators has been to take a generic South African name, tap into an international market create ...moreMany things to many people
Obituary: Mark Stephen Bennett, African Cotton, Textiles & Apparel Monitor, (23/07/1960-26/08/2019) By Simon Reed, Accounting & Financial ServicesIt is with much sadness that I have been asked to write this. My friend, Mark Bennett, died in Accra, Ghana on 26 August, totally unexpectedly of a heart attack. I met Mark wa ...moreAlways larger than life
Obituary: Mike Gedye, MD, Michelle Footwear (04/03/1950-25/09/2019) It was my first day of school in South Africa. That was the 4th term of 1963 and a good-looking blonde guy walked up to me, extended his hand and said “Hi, I'm Mike Gedye”. We sat next to each other throughout our Grosvenor High School years, often swappi ...moreRugby legend gives Zambian-made Kaleza boots the thumbs up
Lusaka, Zambia – Former England Rugby Union International and World Cup winner Jason Leonard has been knocked sideways by the quality of locally produced Kaleza football boots. The popular Z-12 boots made by Zambeef division Zamleather are already scoring hits with players across the country. Now they have caught the attention of th ...moreTexon highlights sustainability in new products and key appointment
Hong Kong – Texon has launched 2 new products where environmental considerations are a key factor. Texon describes itself as "a market leader in the development of eco-friendly, structural materials for the global footwear industry". It manufactures insole, toe puff and heel counter materials. In July, it launched Texon Vu ...moreGet involved in devising standards - SABS tells manufacturers ahead of African free trade
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the side-lines of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) week 2019 to formalise their commitment to collaborate on all standards related matters, including standards development and recognising South Africa as an inspection services provider for the implementation of the Botswana Standards (import inspection) regulations. ...moreTough year, but some good signs for 2020Sans Singh, MD, FQ Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd t/a FST Manufacturers. Manufacturer of webbing & tapes, zips, elastic shoelace & cord, trims and distributor of fabric, hook & loop tape, metal & plastic trims.Durban, KZN, SA - By comparison with last year, the number of orders have reduced, and quantities on the orders are signi ...moreConcern that there are no orders for 2020Saeed Bux, MD, Elahi Footwear (Pty) Ltd. Moccasin and stitchdown footwear manufacturer.Durban, KZN, SA - Our turnover is significantly down. We're affected the same as everyone else by the fact that consumers have no money. Added to that is that industrial relations are difficult. We're keeping our prices as low as possible and our margin ...moreThe DTI's Master Plan: Chains, manufacturers, labour and government 'must work together'7-point plan to grow local manufacturing<br>A final version of the DTI-sponsored 'R-CTFL Value Chain Master Plan to 2030' is nearing completion, according to Dr Jaywant Irkhede, director: leather & footwear at the DTI. Drawn up by Dr Justin Barnes of B&M Analysts for the DTI, the objectives are to, "by 2030, grow R-CTFL ...moreThe year in footwear, so farReports primarily about the US market by analytical company NPD.It’s been tough going for footwear (and for retail in general) in 2019. Adjusted for the extra week in January 2018, U.S. Footwear dollar sales are down -1% year-to-date through May, after growth of +8% year-to-date last year*. Business continues to shift away from majo ...moreInfluencing up: The younger generation's impact on sustainable fashionLike many of you, I’ve been inspired by the Global Climate Strike movement led by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg. As awestruck as I am with her, I can’t help but think what was I doing at 16-years-old to help mankind? At that age, the only time I really thought about the climate is if it was too humid and my hair would frizz ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Bata SA: Renewed effort to grow brands with chains
Bubblegummers to be ‘a priority product’Durban, KZN, SA – Broadening Bata South Africa’s brand base is a priority – perhaps the priority – for country manager Lorraine Dyer, who joined in August with a background managing apparel brands including Converse and Calvin Klein.That has been the goal under su ...moreCan Uber Eats help Allbirds turn a profit?
Allbirds, the sustainable footwear brand, has made a strategic move by partnering with Uber Eats, despite facing significant financial struggles. The company continues to prioritize sustainability in every aspect, from its products to logistics, and this collaboration further highlights that commitment. Throu ...moreExpectation that December will be betterDavid Fox, Choice ClothingCape Town, W. Cape, SA - It’s been a pretty tough year for most retailers, I think – a weak Rand and cash-strapped consumers. Our Black Friday promotion will run from 21st November to 3rd December, with specials every day. The merchandise will be across the board – T-shirts, jeans, footwear. It ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- A cost-effective method of reducing loose grain damage during the bating process
IntroductionEnzymatic bating is an important part of the leather making process. Bating enzymes help remove unwanted skin components from the hide structure, as well as any scud present on the grain layer. Good bating leads to clean, soft leather. Under bating results in poor removal of unwanted skin components, and a firmer crust leather ...moreKeeping leather relevant for the future…
Last month’s SLF article focused on the future of automotive leather and the changes being felt in the sector. This month, the focus is more generally around the crossroads that leather finds itself at, trying to hold on to the heritage of being one of the oldest industries on earth, while at the same time needing to be an industry of the future. ...moreOnly Natural: Inaugural competition, funded by Leather & Hide Council of America and others, challenges fast fashion
From algae lamps to bamboo chairs: young designers shine with sustainable creations International student competition challenged entrants to design bespoke pieces using only natural materials, inspired by nature’s beauty Students from London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins, The Royal College of Arts, Nottingham T ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Test methods for breathability of infant products focus of new subcommitteeSubcommittee 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 ...moreThe Fire and Life Safety Blame Game!
SFA: EMS Conference 10/24Leighton Bennett (BSc, MDP dip, Pr.CHSA, AIRMSA, GradSaiosh, .M.ACHASM, Former FIOSM)Safety First Association - Chairperson SHE and Risk Management ConsultantOverview• Fire and life safety aspects introduction • Owner / Lessor / Employer Fire and Life Safety Responsibilities • Meaning of life safety ...moreThe importance of supporting local manufacturing to preserve South Africa’s footwear industry
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
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