S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol90 No5 May 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- The R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on – Part IV: ‘Growth? Not only has there been no growth, business has dropped,’ say manufacturers who specialise in chain business.
- Supplying chains isn’t the only way of doing business. Corrida’s Adrian Maree on developing a branded business.
- LGB Distributors: Neighbouring states offer growth, writes Gary Baker.
- Angel Footwear: Biker boot exports undergoing wearer trials.
- Aldora Footwear: New direction for Brandon Ganesh.
- Zimbabwe Bata recalls retrenched workers – report from Newsday, Zimbabwe.
05 Exports & Trade
- The way forward for local manufacturing: Be realistic, be different, says Arsutoria’s Stefano Migliavacca.
- Explaining the International Labour Organisation’s role in sponsoring a design workshop: It’s about boosting exports and thereby creating jobs, says Nii Moi Thompson.
14 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- Can Nigeria secure dominance in Africa’s shoe market?
- Levi shifts focus away from footwear.
- Shoes for Crews files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy amid intense competition.
- Lulemon’s entry into men’s footwear – collaborate or go solo?
- Democratization could revitalise the shoe industry.
16 Profile
- Obituary: Glen Puttergill, Glen’s Shoes.
- Obituary: Leo Vandenheede, Fanci-Form, Levara.
Advertisers in this Issue
All China Leather Exhibition (08), Arena Trim (10), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Haesloop Agencies (13), Kaliber (05), Kaytex Belts (17), Leather Finishing Products (15), Leggenda Sport/Diadora (03), Palm Footwear (OFC), Saddler Belts (07), SAFLEC (11), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (21), Shotland Packing (19).
The Next Issue:
- Out on 21 June 2024.
- The R-CTFL Masterplan, 5 years on – Part IV ‘Growth? Not only has there been no growth, business has dropped’
All the South African-owned factories who speciaiise in supplying volume orders to chains, and who agreed to comment, said volumes had dropped and that some of their chain customers openly said they had gone back to China.There have been casualties: In KZN, Nikkita Footwear Manufacturing, Prisaan Footwear, De Javw/Footech and Everstrong S ...moreSupplying chains isn’t the only way of doing business
‘Temu and Shein need to be dealt with quickly as they have to play on an equal footing’ ...moreAngel Footwear: Biker boot exports undergoing wearer trials
Durban, KZN, SA – Angel Footwear cc is developing a stitchdown boot for distributor Gredale to supply Harley Davidson-franchised stores in the U.S.“We’re still in the development stages,” member Ashley Ramlakan said. “It’s a highly technical product, requiring waterproof materials and construction and h ...moreAldora: New direction for Brandon Ganesh
Durban, KZN, SA – Brandon Ganesh, formerly with the Nikkita Footwear, in February started a new factory with a very different business model.Aldora Footwear (Pty) Ltd targets the independent market with a small range of women’s, leather upper, stitchdown construction shoes and sandals.Current production is 200-250 pairs/day.&l ...moreThe 8th annual ARSUTORIA Workshops: Sponsored by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC).
The 8th annual ARSUTORIA 1-week Footwear & Leather Workshop in Durban and the ARSUTORIA 1-day Handbag & Accessories Workshop in Cape Town took place earlier this month.Below, Stefano Migliavacca, who runs International Projects at Edizione AF Srl, which also operates the ARSUTORIA school in Milan, says that to be successful export ...moreExplaining the International Labour Organisation’s role in sponsoring a design workshop: It’s about boosting exports and thereby creating jobs
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – The South African office of the International Labour Organization (ILO) picked up the tab for this year’s ARSUTORIA Footwear & Leather 1-week workshop in Durban and Handbag & Leather Goods 1-day workshop win Cape Town.Explaining the rationale behind the sponsorship, Nii Moi Thompson, chief techn ...moreCan Nigeria secure dominance in Africa’s shoe market?
Can Nigeria reshape the trajectory of Africa’s footwear industry? The Made in Nigeria Shoe Expo (MINSE) in Lagos may provide insights into this possibility. This biannual event, held in Lagos and Abuja, brings together local and international shoe manufacturers, designers, and dealers. Nigeria’s involvement in such events sugg ...moreLevi shifts focus away from footwear
Levi Strauss & Co., through its website, has announced its decision to deprioritize footwear in specific regions, likely prompted by its less than stellar financial performance. The company will strategically realign its focus and concentrate on its core competencies — denim apparel. Denim also yields higher margins for Lev ...moreShoes for Crews files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy amid intense competition
Shoes for Crews, a renowned manufacturer of slip-resistant footwear, has recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s financial challenges stem from intense competition from online marketplaces like Temu, operated by a Chinese e-commerce company. Temu offers shoes they advertise as slip-resistant at prices as low as $17, ...morelululemon’s entry into men’s footwear — collaborate or go solo?
lululemon, the brand known for its yoga wear and activewear, recently expanded its product offerings to include men’s footwear. In February 2024, the company launched its first men’s shoe, The cityverse sneaker. As lululemon navigates the highly competitive men’s footwear market, it faces a critical decision: s ...moreDemocratization could revitalise the shoe industry
The Decline of Traditional ShoemakingThe traditional craft of shoemaking, especially in regions such as Africa, Europe, and North America, is facing significant challenges. Once-busy workshops now struggle with fewer orders, primarily due to intense competition from mass-produced shoes manufactured in Asia. This decline has put the liveli ...moreObituary: Glen Elwin Puttergill – Glen’s Shoes (18/05/1944-01/03/2024): Born to be a retailer
East London, E. Cape, SA – An old boy of De La Salle, he always loved retail, from being a manager at OK Bazaars, to a self-made businessman.His first shop was Glen’s Stores in Alice.After settling in Gonubie, he opened Glens’ Shoes in 1987, which he ran successfully for 35 years until retiring in 2022.An old school gent ...moreObituary: Leo Vandenheede – Fanci-Form, Levara (07/05/1969-15/05/2024): A man of many talents
Pinetown, KZN, SA – The youngest of 4 siblings, Leo’s presence was undeniable, shaping the lives of those around him with his boundless energy and entrepreneurial zeal.Together with his sister Linda and his parents, they ran Fanci-Form, specialising in the manufacturing of lasts for both the local and international markets. Hi ...moreLGB Distributors: Neighbouring states offer growthRoodepoort, Gauteng, SA – We’ve just been on a trip around the country, visiting customers and suppliers, and I’m quite confident about the future. It’s hard to put a finger on it, or to know what will happen with the election, but I am confident. Growth in traditional retail is minimal from our perspective as ther ...moreZimbabwe Bata recalls retrenched workersBata Shoe Company has ordered its former employees to return to work after failing to pay them their retrenchment packages.Over 106 employees were laid off in November last year without notice and the company had pledged to pay them their severance packages within weeks.However, after failing to meet its end of the bargain, the company ha ...moreThe way forward for local manufacturing – an outsider’s perspective: Be realistic, be differentWhether you’re selling to your local market, or trying to export, you have to find your own identity. You cannot compete head-on with the East. Even if you offer similar footwear, there must be points of difference that offer value to your customers.In terms of export – and that is ultimately the goal of these courses – ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Boat 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”. ...moreWhen overseas travel was a real trip, Part II
Back in the day: Range building by travel in the 1980s and 90sSo, I am going to split up my stories into different categories. - The reason for going to Europe and what was required.- Then I will talk about the travel and what happened in the different countries.- Finally, I will be a bit more open on my personal experience. The ...moreThat bag goes on auction
The original Hermès Birkin bag – more about capacity than style.The original Hermès Birkin bag, which acted as the blueprint for what would become one of the most desirable celebrity status symbols in the world, will be auctioned by Sotherby’s in Paris on 10 July.According to CNN, in 1984 actress and singer ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Karan Beef hit by FMD – no response from Bader SA on likely hold up in hide supplyCampaign to control and eradicate the disease ‘paying off’, DoA says ...moreCan incoming legislation bring opportunities for Africa?
As global markets adopt stricter environmental, human rights and ethical regulations—particularly in the European Union—the African leather industry faces a pivotal moment. While new legislation around sustainability, traceability, and labour rights introduces compliance challenges, it also opens doors for African producers to access higher-value international markets. ...moreSA’s Agriculture Minister ‘demands immediate action’ to curb FMD spreadPretoria, Gauteng, SA (16 April 2025) – The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, requested the Department of Agriculture to urgently give attention to the needed action plans and steps to ensure inroads are made to effectively curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Kwazulu-Natal.During a recent visit to KwaZulu-Nat ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- South 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 ...more7 strategies to create more resilient mine dewatering
Dewatering is a crucial operation in mining. Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager at Xylem Africa, advises how to approach mine dewatering with these 7 strategies. As recent events at a Namibian mine demonstrate, dewatering is a critical linchpin for mining operations. ...moreConsumer Protection Act marking – ‘beware faulty inspections’ warns importer who is R250 000 poorerPinetown, KZN, SA – Wholesaler and retailer Treadsafe cc, which had a container of 120 000 pairs of plain white cotton gloves held up last July by the National Consumer Commission for suspected contravention of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), managed to get the container released – almost 3 months and around R250 ...more
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