S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol88 No4 April 2022
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- A shoe fit for Vlad the Impaler.
- No chaff about straw - is there anyone in SA who can make straw sandals?
- Why promote local manufacturing? Motivations vary from country to country.
03 Doing Things Differently
- Tarzan Shoes: 'If you stagnate, you die.' Answers from John Olde-Olthof.
08 Sector Reports
- Surf & Skate: Wholesale remains a key part of the business model for Boardriders, says Dane Patterson.
- Safety & Security: Lemaitre expands into new terrains.
10 Trends
- Platform shoes, combat boots and the rest: Here's what to expect, explain Kathryn Donoghue of Dangee Carken, Angie Wallis of Foot Focus, and Karen Lewis-Williams of Plum.
11 The U.S. Market
- NPD: Heightened health and wellness focus in retail continues, even as pandemic fears recede.
- NPD: Straight jeans surpass skinny as the best-selling style for US women.
14 Technology
- Archroma launches metal- and halogen-free navy and black acid dyes for sportswear.
- SGS appoints global softlines technical manager.
15 Notice Board
- Dangee Carken appoints Adam Engelbrecht as a rep for Miss Black and ViaBeach.
- From Bata SA's 'naughty but nice' past...
16 Trade Statistics
- Imports and exports for February and year-to-date from SARS.
Advertisers in this Issue
BBF Safety Group (OFC, 4), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Italtan (03), JFK Trading/Jack Parcels (11), S&V Calendar (below), S&V Directory (12), SAFLEC (13), Saddler Belts (05), Woodheads (07).
In The Next Issue:
- How is the component sector holding up?
Out on May 6
Footwear Industry Articles
- Grasshoppers Trooper, first school shoe in South Africa to acquire the prestigious Banzi Feet Gold CertificationThe journey of BanziFeet began in 2015 with research to compare the foot measurements of German and South African children and adolescents. Research revealed significant differences in foot shape and size between the 2 groups. It also found that 91% of South African participants grew up habitually barefoot, and 67% of their school shoes w ...moreAMSA: ‘Perturbing trend’ in importsDurban, KZN, SA – As the economy still seems to be precariously poised due to various exogenous variables, I remain very cautious about looking into the future.The formal sector of the economy has not fared well in terms of employment as measured by Clothing Industry Bargaining Council figures (see attached chart).It appears that th ...more2025 FORECASTSBy common consent, 2024 has been a difficult year for almost all businesses, organisations, government departments and people in the SA leather value chain. The main exceptions would have been successful exporters, because the domestic market has been getting poorer year after year. The underlying reasons are mostly to do with the policie ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Sam Setter's 'Pills': For readers who need some wry medicinal humourIt’s the middle-class market, not the rich, where the real money isAlthough I fully realise that luxury is a very important factor for the leather industry, I believe that we focus too much on this particular sector, and forget the day-to-day use of leather. There aren’t too many people who can afford a €100 000 bag, a &e ...moreLULUC: Explaining the link between deforestation and the leather industryLand use and land use change (LULUC) refers to the study area in general – that is the study of how global land use change (commonly through human intervention) results in increased atmospheric emissions. The obvious emission is that if the forest is burnt, the emissions are directly released into the atmosphere. However, the change ...moreHide demand steady amid growing global supply, gelatine plants absorbing higher number of lower gradesThe picture I get of the leather industry globally is that it is losing share in all its markets for a variety of reasons. In South Africa, the situation is compounded by cash-strapped consumers choosing cheaper alternatives. Cape Produce Company is at the beginning of the leather process, and it supplies all leather markets in SA and internationally. I asked CEO Benjy Lapiner if the picture is as bleak as I’m told. No, he said, but… ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- The importance of supporting local manufacturing to preserve South Africa’s footwear industryPinetown, 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 ...moreAI solution shows truck drivers where to parkBerlin, Germany (02 September 2024) – Parking spaces are in short supply at rest stops along Germany’s highways. Truck drivers are required by law to observe certain rest periods, so when they cannot find parking, they often simply park off to the side of an entrance or exit or on the shoulder, all of which are very ...moreMastering contractor management for safety, business efficiency and growth in the mining industryJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA (13 November 2024) – The mining industry operates in a complex and demanding environment characterised by rapid technological advancements, stringent safety regulations, and escalating cost pressures. To compete in this context successfully, mining executives must prioritise operational efficiency, cost-eff ...more