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
- KZN Clothing and Textile Cluster (KZNCTC) SME AcceleratorDurban, KZN, SA – We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 SME Accelerator Programme.What’s new this year:The programme has been expanded into a full-year development journey, offering SMEs multiple opportunities for learning, mentoring, networking, and direct engagement with potential buyers.We invite you to apply to ...moreCavalli introduces comfort range
George, W. Cape, SA – Recognising the growing demand for footwear that balances comfort and style, Cavalli introduces Cavalli Comfort, a ladies’ footwear range thoughtfully developed for women who prioritise both foot health and refined elegance.Created by Leo D’ Mar cc, a family-run business established in 1997 and the ...moreObituary: Rob Jordan, Jordan Shoes (14/09/1941-18/03/2026) ‘Those were the best days of our lives’*
It is with a very heavy heart that I need to advise you on the passing of a true titan and champion of the South African footwear industry, Rob Jordan.Rob was another of the true icons of industry with whom I was privileged to foster a lovely relationship with when joining A. Greenaways in 1999. I had already spent many years running arou ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- RLSD International Student Design Competition 2026 open for entries
Global platform for emerging fashion talent builds on record-breaking momentum and industry success stories ...moreQuality as a management discipline in exotic leather
Reflections on ostrich and crocodile leather from a tannery perspective. By Thabang Kenalemang and Cobus Brink from the Cape Karoo International Pty Ltd tanneries. Brink, who was quality manager for Cape Karoo International’s Leather Division, based in Mosselbaai, retired at the end of January. Kenalemang was appointed as the new quality manager. He is based in Oudtshoorn. ...moreCKI appoints new Head of Leather with luxury brand background
Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA – Salomé Atmore, who was posted to the Netherlands several years ago by multinational beauty care company Coty, has returned to SA and been appointed Head of Leather at Cape Karoo International (CKI).“I worked closely with European markets shaped by luxury, craftsmanship, and evolving sustainabil ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- SA's first PPE conference draws top speakers
The Safety First Association and SAPEMA hosted SA’s first PPE conference in March, cramming 20 papers into a 2-day event, which also featured a number of PPE supplier stands. Here, we carry edited versions of 7 of them to illustrate the diversity of the topics. We expect to carry more in the next edition.As several speakers pointed ...moreMaking fall protection practical
Working at height is, by its nature, potentially dangerous. But only potentially. Properly planned and executed, working at height is safe. However, accidents and injuries are common.Part of the problem is that many – most – businesses do fall protection plans as tick box exercises. Industry can help by planning correctly, whi ...moreA reliable communication solution for civil protection and disaster relief
Energy-self-sufficient communication networks for disaster-stricken areas ...more
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