S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol90 No2 February 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- The R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on: It’s done nothing for us, most footwear sources claim, but plan’s backers say they ‘need to engage more’.
- The confusing story behind woven fabrics: Tariff codes – correctly applied – offer in-depth information on what goes into products, but they can make duties very complicated.
- The manufacturers’ experience: Bata SA’s growth ‘has nothing to do with Masterplan’; ‘Our chain business has shrunk dramatically over the 5 years,’ says another.
- A chain’s view: TFG – ‘We’re buying more in SA and SADC, but if we can’t find what we want here, we import.’
- MBA thesis research: Strategies for footwear startups – ideas and input requested, by George Newton.
13 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- New Balance ventures into Cambodia.
- North America: The largest and most attractive clothing and footwear market, according to BMI report.
- Bison leather boots by Patagonia – a tale of innovation, conservation, and craftsmanship.
- India and South Africa’s footwear markets today – a tale of contrasting fortunes.
19 Export & Trade
- Magic: Lots of news about African pavilion, but we can’t get hold of it.
- Rowdy Bags: Wrong hall, but useful all the same.
17 Trends
- ‘Tactical footwear poised for growth,’ writes Tinashe Mandirahwe, and he picks out Southern African firms as examples.
23 Notice Board
- Obituary: Mussa Hajat, Footwear Centre – Malawi’s Mr. Footwear.
23 Trade Statistics
- South Africa: December imports and exports of footwear and accessories, provided by SARS.
Advertisers in this Issue
APLF Fashion Access (04), APLF Materials + (05), Arena Trims (08), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (OFC), Haesloop Agencies (10), Kaytex Belts (12), Leather Finishing Products (14), Partisan & Co/Palladium/Ben Sherman (01), Saddler Belts (06), SAFLEC (09), S&V Calendar (15), S&V Directory (11), Seadoone Shoes/Solite (02), Shotland Packing (17).
- New Balance ventures into Cambodia
New Balance, the footwear and apparel brand, has expanded its global presence with the opening of four stores in Cambodia. The management of these stores falls under MAP Active Cambodia, a sports and lifestyle brand importer and distributor, as reported by The Phnom Penh Post.Strategic Partnership with MAP Active CambodiaNew Balance& ...moreNorth America — the largest and most attractive clothing and footwear market globally — BMI report
The latest BMI Report unequivocally positions North America as the largest and most attractive clothing and footwear market globally. Companies in the industry should recognize the immense opportunities awaiting them in this dynamic market.Why North America Is So AttactiveThe North American region’s appeal is grounded in a ...moreBison leather boots by Patagonia — a tale of innovation, conservation, and craftsmanship
Here's a story that speaks of a journey from America, where buffalo hides are tanned, to Portugal, where value is added by transforming the leather into boots. The journey then returns to America, where these boots are sold for a whopping $429! The story touches on topics such as research and development, storytelling marketing, niche marketing and more. Most importantly, I'm hoping the story will illustrate the possibilities that exist in the industry. ...moreRowdy Bags: Wrong hall, but useful all the same
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Director Adam Young said Rowdy Bags has been in business for 12 years, and is already a consistent exporter. Its principal markets are in the UK and Switzerland, followed by Australia and Germany, and together they account for 30% of Rowdy Bags’ business by turnover? / units?“Export is the way fo ...moreTactical footwear poised for growth
To prove a point – that Southern African footwear manufacturers can be part of the global industry, contributor Tinashe Mandirahwe, a former Zimbabwean now writing from Canada, has chosen South African and Zimbabwean examples to illustrate a global trend. “Tactical footwear covers diverse applications,” he writes. “They can be drivers of growth.” ...moreMalawi’s Mr Footwear: Obituary: Mussa Hajat – Bata Malawi, Footwear Centre (27/09/1933-22/01/2024)
Blantyre, Malawi – My father, Mussa Hajat, passed away in the early hours on Monday 22 January 2024, aged 90.He was still fully active and working up until Christmas.He was affectionately known as Mussa Footwear and was a true giant in the footwear scene in this country ever since he left Bata and established his own business in 196 ...moreThe R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on: It’s done nothing for us, most footwear sources claim, but plan’s backers say they ‘need to engage more’Has the R-CTFL Masterplan, launched 5 years ago, done anything to increase local procurement of footwear and leather goods by the chains that agreed to be part of it?It depends on who you ask, and the answers are very different.In the ‘yes’ corner is Michael Lawrence, who wears 2 hats – as director of the National Clothi ...moreThe confusing story behind woven fabrics: Tariff codes – correctly applied – offer in-depth information on what goes into products, but they can make duties very complicatedAt the request of the PMO Core, and on behalf of clothing manufacturers, SARS has lifted the 22% import duty on woven fabrics, which includes some PU-coated woven fabrics used for footwear – an apparently significant saving.However, these footwear products, which fall under tariff code 5903.20.90, were already subject to rebate, mea ...moreThe R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on: The manufacturers’ experienceS&V asked 16 footwear manufacturers to comment on any growth in their orders from chains – especially those that are part of the NCRF, which was a signatory to the Masterplan – since its launch 5 years ago. 2 manufacturers answered. ...moreBata SA: Growth has nothing to do with MasterplanS&V asked 16 footwear manufacturers to comment on any growth in their orders from chains – especially those that are part of the NCRF, which was a signatory to the Masterplan – since its launch 5 years ago. 2 manufacturers answered. ...moreThe R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on: Anonymous: Our chain business has shrunk dramatically over the 5 yearsThis manufacturer requested anonymity.Since the inception of the Masterplan 5 years ago, we have not seen an increase in orders from local retailers.With the exception of 2022, we have experienced a decline in orders every year, 2023/2024 being the largest reduction. Over the past 5 years our local orders have reduced by 47% in pairs ...moreThe R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on: A chain’s viewS&V had planned to ask a number of chains the following questions. In the event, we only asked TFG:In the 5 years since the signing of the charter in 2019, have any of your chains bought more locally made footwear, and can you quantify that growth by pairs and value?Have any of your chains REDUCED their local footwear buy?By compariso ...moreThe R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on: TFG: We’re buying more in SA and SADC, but if we can’t find what we want here, we importIn support of government’s 2030 Retail - Clothing Textile Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) masterplan, TFG remains committed to building and growing our local manufacturing capability and capacity. In unit terms, more than 76% of our products are produced locally, in SADC or South Africa. By investing in and prioritising local producti ...moreMBA Thesis Research: Strategies for footwear startups – ideas and input requestedIntroductionThis is a request to the footwear community in South Africa to take part in a research project titled: Enhancing Sustainable Innovation Adoption in Footwear Startups in South Africa.Project DescriptionThe project focuses on the South African footwear industry, particularly startups in the sector. It recognises the pressing nee ...moreMagic: Lots of news, but we can’t get hold of itFor the first time, the Las Vegas Magic show featured an African Textiles and Apparel Pavilion, hosting 68 exhibitors from 35 countries, and organised and sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Africa Trade and Investment programme (USAID ATI) and theProsper Africa US Trade & Investment initiative.The ...moreSA footwear & accessories trade statistics for December 2023Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (31 January 2024) – Source: SARS.Including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)Cumulative tradeTrade balance R'm (13 795 684 796)Ratio (exports/imports) 0.24Monthly tradeTrade balance R'm (962 390 982)Ratio (exports/imports) 0.31ExportsMonth % of total 0.26Cumulative 2022 (R'm) 3 ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- AMSA: ‘Perturbing trend’ in imports
Durban, 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 ...moreThe Road Ahead: A forecast for South Africa’s footwear and leather goods industries
Durban, 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 ...moreGlobal footwear trends and the impact of evolving consumer behaviour on exportsSponsored by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC).The worldwide footwear sector is experiencing notable changes driven by technology advancements, evolving fashion trends, and shifting consumer preferences. Below are the significant trends and shifts in consumer purchasing habits.Current Trends in Footwear1. Emphasis on s ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Groenewald returns to OPSA
Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA – Newald Groenewald rejoined Ostrich Products SA (OPSA) in September as tannery manager.He started at the then Klein Karoo International in 1991 before joining OPSA as tannery manager in 2015. He joined Le Croc as tannery manager in 2021, and left there earlier this year. ...moreAgency company changesCape Town, W. Cape, SA – Gert Bosch and Arné Husselman left TST Agencies earlier this year.Bosch started Bosch Technical Services (Pty) Ltd (BTS), which began trading on 01 March, servicing the tanning industry. He represents a number of principals including some formerly represented by TST.Husselman has left the industry and ...moreA cost-effective method of reducing loose grain damage during the bating process
IntroductionEnzymatic bating is an important part of the leather making process. Bating enzymes help remove unwanted skin components from the hide structure, as well as any scud present on the grain layer. Good bating leads to clean, soft leather. Under bating results in poor removal of unwanted skin components, and a firmer crust leather ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Functionally integrated lightweight design in electric mobility: EV battery enclosures with lower carbon emissions
Chemnitz, Germany (02 September 2024) – More charging power, higher range, lower environmental impact: In the COOLBat joint research project, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU have teamed up with partners to develop next-generation battery enclosures for electric vehicles. Th ...moreMitigate risks and enhance efficiency - the ISO accreditation advantage
Durban, KZN, SA (11 September 2024) – ISO accreditation is a strategic investment that empowers businesses to enhance their competitiveness, mitigate risks, and seize new market opportunities. By adhering to globally recognised standards, organisations can build trust, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth. While the ...moreArtificial intelligence for Clinical Pathology: Data-efficient foundation model for biomarker detection
Bremen, Germany (02 September 2024) – The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems shows promise in medicine, where they can be used to detect diseases earlier, improve treatments, and ease staff workloads. But their performance depends on how well the AI is trained. A new multi-task approach to training AI makes it possible to t ...more
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