S&V African Leather Magazine Vol18 No1 January 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE:
02 Sam Setter’s ‘Pills’
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.
04 Upfront
- Hides, skins and semi-processed leathers: Starting with a positive mindset, says Cape Produce Company director Greg Feinberg.
- Exotics: Ostrich leather and feathers are benefitting from strong relationship with brands, says SA Ostrich Business Chamber CEO Piet Kleyn.
- Education: Industry members against the decision to shut down the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies at the University of Northampton are planning a meeting, writes SATRA assistance director Dr Christine Anscombe.
08 Load Shedding
- Mossop Leather has overcome load shedding, and other tanneries are following similar paths.
11 An Eclectic View
- Non-fossil dyes – a look at the alternatives, by H. Procter.
12 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.
13 Sustainability
- Successful audits for Namibian tanneries, and plans for more projects in Africa – by Sustainable Leather Foundation MD Deborah Taylor.
- Synthetic wigs, weaves and extensions given new life in a new project by Alisam Products Development founder Newton Owino.
17 Notice Board
- Obituary for former Boehme Africa MD and CEO Dietmar Theilig.
20 Trade Statistics
- South African hides, skins and leather exports and imports for November 2023, compiled by SA Revenue Services.
Advertisers in this Issue
APLF (03), Authenticae (05), International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) (07), Mimosa (10), Rolfes Leather Division (OFC), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (15), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (09), Sustainable Leather Foundation (02).
The Next Issue
- The February issue of S&V African Leather will be out on 14 February. The deadline for contributions is 7 February.
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- Ostrich leather and feathers benefit from strong relationships with brands
Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA – The South African ostrich industry has had a sustained 2-year period of mostly good news, much of it due to its own diligence, according to SA Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC) CEO Piet Kleyn.“Post-covid, we’re in a better state than we’ve been for some years,” he said.Leather and fea ...moreMossop Leather has overcome load shedding, and other tanneries are following similar paths
Columnist H. Procter wrote about solar power in the November issue, noting that it could both address sustainability issues and free tanneries from load shedding.“I had a call with Mossop Leather MD Gert Kruger after we published that article,” he wrote. “He told me it was possible to get all electricity needs with some ...moreSuccessful Audits for Namibian Tanneries
Last year SLF was awarded a contract to work in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, under the Joint Action Support towards Industrialisation and Productive Section (SIPS). Under the contract SLF implemented a 5 step programme to support the tanneries in the region with training and audit certification to meet interna ...moreSam Setter's 'Pills': For readers who need some wry medicinal humourAs a new year gift, Sam Setter has again given us TWO pills for this issue.I am flabbergasted to read in the November newsletter of Leather Naturally that it is ‘difficult due to global unrest and tension to remain mindful of the important role that we can play in helping to preserve our planet’, and ‘our minds here at L ...moreHides, skins and semi-processed leathers : Starting with a positive mindsetHow has the closure of Midland Tannery affected your business? The tannery operated in very different markets to ourselves; as such there haven't been any significant effects.Do you expect domestic demand for wet blue hides to grow or drop this year? We always hope to see growth in the local market, it’s a key part of our business; ...morePush back against University of Northampton’s plan to scrap leather education : Meeting planned for 24 JanuaryKettering, UK – As you are probably aware the future of leather education in the UK and globally is under severe threat with the recent announcement by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Northampton of her intention to close the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT) – see letter below that we received at SAT ...moreNON-FOSSIL DYESA dyestuff is usually an organic molecule that absorbs light and then emits that light at a frequency that is detectable to the human eye. In other words, it emits light in the visual light spectrum - this is why people say they are coloured. Technically, a dyestuff can be uncoloured, and it is called coloured because it emits light in th ...moreSynthetic wigs, weaves and extensions given new life in KenyaKenyan entrepreneur, tanner and industrial chemist Newton Owino, who founded and owns fish skin tannery and footwear/ leather goods manufacturer Alisam Products Development & Design, has been working on a project to recycle synthetic hair extensions and wigs. ...moreHe had the vision to start local production, and expand into Africa : Obituary: Dietmar Theilig - Boehme Africa (now DyStar Africa) (12/05/1938-30/11/2023)Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA – It is with sadness that we learnt of the passing of Dietmar Theilig, the former Managing Director of Boehme Africa.I met Dietmar 35 years ago when I was headhunted and appointed as a leather technician. At the time, Boehme Africa was a major role player in the textile and leather industries in Southern Af ...moreShort summary on the life history of Gerhard Dietmar Theilig : Obituary: Dietmar Theilig - Boehme Africa (now DyStar Africa) (12/05/1938-30/11/2023)Born 12th May 1938 in Leipzig-Moeckern. Confirmed on 10.05 1952 at Pfarramt Der Luthergemeinde, Crimmitschau. He had 1 sister, Ursula, who was 7 years younger than himself.His father was in the textile trade and supplied the wool fabric for the army winter coats, and they lived at the army barracks in Leipzig.His father was accused of ind ...moreSA hides, skins, and leather trade statistics for November 2023Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (29 December 2023) – Source: SARS.Including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)Cumulative tradeTrade balance R'm (557 867 005)Ratio (exports/imports) 0.88Monthly tradeTrade balance R'm (91 683 982)Ratio (exports/imports) 0.82ExportsMonth % of total 0.23Cumulative 2022 (R'm) 3 794 ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Skechers 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 ...moreComrades Marathon 2025Because of its broad appeal and the number – 23 000 is the maximum allowed – and diversity of its participants, the Comrades is regarded as a key indicator of the popularity of running shoe brands in SA. Runners, who have to register by early December for the race in June the following year, are asked to fill in the brand ...moreBoat shoes: Sales finally climbing in the US, but local suppliers say there’s no uptick here
Under the headline “Boat shoes sales up for first time in 10 years — one year after fashion declared the style’s comeback”, Footwear News this month reported that boat shoe sales finally seeing an increase, “albeit a fraction of where the category once was in the 2010s”. ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- ESG PORTFOLIOS
Over the past decade, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has experienced significant growth, driven by increasing awareness of sustainability issues and a desire for ethical investment options. However, recent years have seen a notable decline in ESG investments, raising questions about their future viability. ...moreACLE, new Moda China, UITIC – Shanghai gearing up for major event
‘China taking advantage of rock bottom hide prices’rnDuties on U.S. hides – opportunities for other countries? ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- A guide for SA employers in understanding the COIDA Act and Reintegration Policy
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA (24 February 2025) – South African employers are grappling with significant new responsibilities introduced by the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) and the draft Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Return to Work Regulations. Published on 15 June 2023, these regulations are poised ...moreLengthy detentions: That’s just the way it is, says NCCS&V Protect asked the National Consumer Commission to comment on Treadsafe’s experience, and also whether other containers have been detained. Jabu Mbeje, Divisional Head: Enforcement & Legal Services, at the NCC, sent this response: ...moreUnderstanding respirator PPE
The subject of Respirator Personal Protective Equipment is confusing until one understands the basic concept requirements.OHS Act defines Respiratory Protective Equipment as a device which is worn over at least the mouth and nose to prevent the inhalation of air borne hazardous chemical substances and which is of a type or conforms to a s ...more
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