S&V African Leather Magazine Vol17 No7 July 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE:
02 Sam Setter’s ‘Pills’
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.
04 Upfront
- Automotive: Stitched leather seat exports were up in most markets last year, according to the 2023 edition of NAAMSA executive manager Dr Norman Lamprecht’s Automotive Export Manual.
- Game skins: UK trophy ban still being debated, and other updates by Pieter Swart of SA Taxidermy and Tannery Association (SATTA).
- SLTC: Everything is on hold, says treasurer Warren Phipps.
10 An Eclectic View
- Second generation Cr-free. Second generation chrome-free has arrived, and already we know what a key component of the third generation will be, writes H. Procter.
12 Decoding Tanning Science
- Dialdehyde starch, a sustainable, environment-friendly tanning chemical. A summary by Dr Clive Jackson-Moss of the ISTT of a JSLTC paper.
14 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.
15 Sustainability
- Tanzanian visit to be followed by visits to other African countries: Report from Sustainable Leather Foundation MD Deborah Taylor.
17 Notice Board
- Obituary: Peter Howard, formerly with King Tanning, Pelts Products and other businesses and ventures.
18 Trade Statistics
- SA hides, skins and leather trade statistics for May 2023, issued by SARS.
Advertisers in this Issue
Authenticae (03), Evolution Engineering (01), International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) (05), Mimosa (07), Rolfes Leather Division (OFC), Rolfes Leather Division recruitment ad (02), S&V Calendar (11), S&V Directory (18), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (10), Stahl (09), Sustainable Leather Foundation (06).
The Next Issue
- The August issue of S&V African Leather will be out on 04 August. The deadline for contributions is 31 July.
- Second generation Cr-free
Second generation chrome-free has just arrived, and already we know what a key component of the third generation will be. ...moreTanzanian visit to be followed by visits to other African countries
This month saw SLF launch a new campaign “Are You Ready” to help the leather industry prepare for the incoming regulations and directives that will have a significant impact on our sector.It is crucial that all stakeholders understand what the new legislation means, how it will affect their business and how they can prepare no ...moreSustainable Leather Foundation: Work Begins in the SADC…
In June, as part of the recently awarded contract to support sustainability improvement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) under the SIPS Project, SLF travelled to Tanzania to participate in two workshops on the 6th June and the 8th June. The first workshop, held in the capital, Dodoma, was attended by 45 representative ...moreA very talented man who tried his hand at many things, some successfully, some not, but he did live a full life
Obituary: Peter Howard – King Tanning, Pelts Products, and others (01/06/1947-26/07/2022) ...moreSam Setter's 'Pills': Pitti Uomo in FlorenceOn 13-16 June the fashion industry celebrated Pitti Uomo in Florence. The event was very well attended and the newspapers, as well as the city hall of Florence, heralded the attendance of so-called VIPs as a huge success. Indeed, people like Leonardo Di Caprio, Dua Lipa, George Clooney were among the visitors. They, like their peers, very ...moreStitched leather seat exports were up in most markets last yearPretoria, Gauteng, SA – Automotive Business Council (NAAMSA) executive manager Dr Norman Lamprecht’s annual Automotive Export Manual – the 2023 edition is the 17th – is a comprehensive picture, not just of the SA motor industry’s exports, but of its structure, health, plans and predictions.The leather compone ...moreUK trophy ban still being debated1. Feedback on the Controversial UK TROPHY BAN.Despite much publicity, and input from various African Governments, NGOs and scientists, the House of Commons approved the Trophy Ban bill, but it still needed the approval from the House of Lords. Two amendments were added before passing the Commons: (1) limits the ban to CITES listed ...moreSLTC: On HoldThe Southern African Section of the Society of Leather Technicians & Chemists is currently not operating, treasurer Warren Phipps has confirmed. “We approached the mother body of SLTC to help pay someone locally to help bring in the membership fees for them (SLTC - British section), which they declined, and the SA section could ...moreDialdehyde starch, a sustainable, environment-friendly tanning chemicalThis is part of a series contributed by the International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) in Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA, summarising complicated research papers into short articles more readily comprehensible to a wider audience. ...moreSA hides, skins, and leather trade statistics for May 2023Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (30 June 2023) – Source: SARS.Including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)Cumulative tradeTrade balance R'm (59 757 351)Ratio (exports/imports) 0.97Monthly tradeTrade balance R'm 13 274 098Ratio (exports/imports) 1.03ExportsMonth % of total 0.22Cumulative 2022 (R'm) 1 609 417 807 Cumulative 2023 (R ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Some ideas to stimulate a recovery in local footwear and leather goods manufacturing
There are many factors other than reluctant chain buyers that contribute to the SA leather value chain’s problems ...moreA ‘mouse’, who was in every way outsized - Obituary: Tony Jelinski – Everflex Manufacturing (19/10/1945-16/03/2025)
Tony Jelinski – who was also known as Mighty Mouse and whose personality, friendships and business acumen were a lot bigger than the biggest mouse you have ever seen.Due to my age of 84, I am the dinosaur of the partners of the PMC Group, of which Everflex, Tony’s sphere, was such a big part.I was responsible for getting Tony ...moreSkechers going private to compete smarter?
Skechers has announced its acquisition by private equity firm 3G Capital for $63 per share — a 30% premium over its recent stock price — marking its shift from public to private ownership by Q3 2025. Once the deal closes, Skechers will be delisted from the NYSE, and public shareholders will receive a cash payout. CEO Robe ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Rolfes management get to know new colleagues
Speciality chemicals distributor the Solevo Group, which acquired various Rolfes businesses in SA last year to add to its African portfolio, had a teambuilding and strategic session for senior management in Côte d'Ivoire recently. Pictured are the 4 South Africans (from left): Quintin Marais, MD of Rolfes Leather, Justin Ghersie, co ...moreUK Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists annual conference, AGM and dinner dance
The annual Conference, AGM and Dinner Dance of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists took place on 25-26th April in Glasgow.This year, there was a 2-day programme that included a field trip to Scottish Leather Group on the afternoon of Day 1, when 30 delegates had the opportunity to learn about SLG’s heritage and world l ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- SGS to host 'Discovering PPE softlines solutions’ on 27 MarchGeneva, Switzerland – Testing, inspection and certification company SGS is hosting a complimentary webinar, ‘Discovering PPE softlines solutions’, on 27 March 2025.The global market for personal protective equipment (PPE) is expanding, but it is also becoming more regulated. Businesses looking to ensure product complianc ...moreSouth Africa’s first safety escape room for hands-on health and safety training
South Africa's first safety escape room was set up at Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC) in November last year by health and safety solutions provider KBC.“We required a fresh approach to training,” said Mabore Macheru, Manager in Training Development and Contractor Management at PMC. “This offers an interactive and practic ...moreNew standard for PFAS assessment for consumer products ‘is useful for manufacturers, consumers, laboratories, and regulators’W. Conshohocken, Pa., U.S. (07 January 2025) – A new ASTM International standard will provide users with a road map for planning and executing assessments of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products and articles. The new standard, which will be published as F3700, was developed by ASTM&rsqu ...more
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