S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol89 No10 October 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Focus
- Hello Quality: An accidental purchase lead to a new business with big ideas.
04 Exports & Trade
- Fashion World Tokyo: Products that are identifiably African attract interest.
06 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- 30 million units sold, 1.2 billion Euros in sales in 1 year – Birkenstock’s remarkable story.
- From outsider to visionary – how Oliver Reichert reshaped Birkenstock.
- The hidden giant behind top brands: Stella International.
12 The Simac fair
- Desma: SA needs to play to its strengths, says René Muschalle.
- Volontè: Upgrade and diversify, says Felice Volontè.
- Ormac: Big or small, manufacturers need innovative machinery, says Gabriele Pauroso.
- PMC: Leather cutting, ‘TPR lite’ among the highlights, says Colin Parker.
14 Updates
- Certo Sports is new home for Olympic Footwear & Apparel and Racefood, says Gary van Rooyen.
15 Notice Board
- Obituary: Michele Di Lembo was a stickler for detail, writes his son, Pino.
- The Cobblers’ Lunch is no more. Some photos from the past.
18 Trade Statistics
- South Africa: August imports and exports of footwear and accessories, provided by SARS.
Advertisers in this Issue
Evolution Engineering (11), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Palm Footwear (OFC), Royal Adhesive Industries (07), Saddler Belts (08), SAFLEC (09), S&V Calendar (18), S&V Directory (14), The Authentic Brands Company/Shoemaker’s Choice (01).
The Next Issue:
- Out on 24 November.
- 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 ...moreSIMAC: Technology for a better worldThis year’s crowded calendar of September fairs in Milan – Micam, Mipel, The One Milano, Lineapelle and Simac Tanning Tech – also included the 21st UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress. Across them all, innovation and sustainability were the dominant themes. In the background, the Ukraine war, the changing role of China, and fragile economies, impact sales. At Simac Tanning Tech, exhibitors supplying the tanning industry mostly said the fair went better than they had expected, while those supplying footwear and leather goods manufacturers were less sure. ...moreCerto Sports new home for Olympic Footwear & Apparel and RacefoodCape Town, W. Cape, SA – We have changed our name to Certo Sports (Pty) Ltd as an over-arching company. Under this name, we incorporate Olympic Footwear & Apparel and Racefood, the nutritional food bar brand.Olympic Footwear & Apparel We have made inroads into the likes of Sportsman’s Warehouse, Totalsports, The Athlet ...more
Footwear Industry Articles
- The Road Ahead: A forecast for South Africa’s footwear and leather goods industriesDurban, KZN, SA – The South African footwear and leather goods industries are navigating a challenging yet potentially transformative period. Shaped by a mix of longstanding hurdles and emerging opportunities, their future remains uncertain as the global market continues to shift rapidly in the wake of COVID-19. While difficulties p ...moreSAFLIA: Hopefully the slide will be reversedDurban, KZN, SA – My forecast for 2024 is that production will be 12.5% down on last year. Meaning 41,690,000 pairs.The last time we saw such low volumes was in 2007.My forecast for next year is that production will be stabilised at the same level as this year – let’s say 42,000,000 pairs. However, with some serious inte ...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
- The power of partnership…This month we are delighted to announce the beginning of a new programme, being funded by the Leather & Hide Council of America as part of the US Regional Agricultural Programme. ...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 ...moreUpdate on FMD in SA: 4 provinces declared free from foot and mouth disease outbreaksPretoria, Gauteng, SA (25 October 2024) – The Department of Agriculture has announced that the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, which occurred during 2021-2022, has been successfully resolved in the North West, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga Provinces. These provinces, which were initially impacted by the outbreak, have n ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- The 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 ...moreTest 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 ...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 ...more
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