S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol90 No9 September 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- International fast fashion retailer H&M, which does source some raw materials from SA, says it is serious about sustainability and about talking to local manufacturers about sourcing finished goods.
- Small West African state Benin is making branded garments for export.
- Management changes at Bata SA.
11 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- Clarks’ Indian departure – what went wrong?
- Investor lawsuit hits Lulelemon.
- Comfort is what the market is demanding.
19 Export & Trade
- Italian Trade Agency sponsors SA visit to Milan fairs.
21 Noticeboard
- SAFLIA AGM marks the organisation’s 80th anniversary.
- National Bargaining Council bids farewell to outgoing general secretary Gerald Naidoo.
Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (20), BBF Safety Group (04), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), FrontierCo/Busby (09), Haesloop Agencies (14), Kaliber Safety Footwear/For the Motor Industry/Safety Boots (06, 08), Kaytex Belts (12), Leather Finishing Products (16), Lemaitre (10), Palm Footwear (OFC), Saddler Belts (07), SAFLEC (13), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (17), Shotland Packaging (18).
The Next Issue:
- Out on 25 October 2024.
- ‘We have and will continue to investigate sourcing opportunities for apparel’
Several SA raw materials make it into H&M’s value chain, but so far, no finished goods ...moreManagement changes at Bata SA
Durban, KZN, SA – Bata SA country manager Michael Wyatt has been promoted to president of Bata Africa-Middle East and Bata Industrials.The new Bata SA country manager is Lorraine Dyer, who has over 20 years retail and wholesale experience in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.In a release, Bata SA said “her track re ...moreClarks’ Indian departure — what went wrong?
A report from Yahoo Finance on August 27, 2024, reveals that Clarks, the iconic British footwear brand, is closing its stores in India due to "differences over terms" with its local partner, Reliance Retail.This unexpected development underscores the critical importance of aligning with local partners and effectively m ...moreComfort is what the market is demanding
Expansion AnnouncementOrthoLite, a leading manufacturer of comfort foam insoles, has announced it is expanding its European facility in Almansa, Spain. This strategic move aims to enhance production capacity, innovation, and speed-to-market manufacturing, enabling OrthoLite to better serve its brand partners ...moreItalian Trade Agency sponsors SA visit to Milan fairs
This September, SAFLEC, accompanied by a group of trailblazing members funded by the Italian Trade Agency, made a significant and impactful presence at Simac Tanning Tech, Lineapelle, Micam, and Milan Fashion Week.More than a routine industry visit, this participation was a strategic initiative designed to gather high-level intelligence a ...moreBenin begins exporting U.S. branded garments to EuropeZè, Benin (11 September 2024) – Benin, which along with Togo is a small Francophone state sandwiched between Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa, has exported its first consignment of clothing under the American brand, U.S. POLO ASSN.In a release, Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) (www.GDIZ-Benin.com) said: “Th ...moreInvestor lawsuit hits LululemonLululemon Athletica Inc. is currently facing a class action lawsuit filed by a shareholder who claims the company misled investors by failing to disclose critical information about its business operations. This lawsuit involves individuals and entities who purchased Lululemon securities between December 7, 2023, and July 24, 2024.The Alle ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Canton: As big as ever
China Import and Export Fair, also known as the “Canton Fair”, is the World’s No.1 Expo in terms of scale. Canton Fair will see its 137th session to be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025 in Guangzhou, China.With an exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters, the 137th edition of Canton Fair converges 28,000+ exhibitors ...moreObituary: Zelton Wiskin – footwear agent (24/03/1958-24/01/2025) :‘He loved to please people - regardless of the consequences’
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Retired former footwear agent Zelton Wiskin died in January, after a long illness, aged 66.Born in Johannesburg, he left school early to work for his stepfather, Aubrey Fuchs, who was also an agent.He represented 2 footwear companies for most of his working career – women’s footwear manufactur ...moreObituary: Zelton Wiskin – footwear agent (24/03/1958-24/01/2025) : A ‘well lubricated’ memoryZelton Wiskin, my friend.I'm sure you won't mind me sharing a fond memory of you with the shoe industry.In the good old days as shoe agents, we became good friends. You were taught by one of the best in the business (Aubrey). In those days we knew how to have fun and entertain our customers who became our friends.My best memory was when w ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Get the message across on World Leather Day, urges Leather Working Group
On Saturday 26th April 2025, the global leather industry will come together in recognition of the fourth edition of World Leather Day—a global movement dedicated to celebrating leather as a material and promoting a deeper understanding of the leather industry. This social media kit can be used by Leather Naturally members and i ...moreSA ratifies Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and AgriculturePretoria, Gauteng, SA (28 January 2025) – South Africa became the 154th ‘contracting party’ to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) by depositing its instrument of accession with the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on 23 December 2024, acc ...moreWhen there are so many real issues to be concerned about, why pick on an industry which does much more good than harm?While some animal welfare organisations are the prime motivators behind anti-leather campaigns, they rely on others to cave in to their campaigns. London Fashion Week this year banned reptile leather. ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Mine deaths in SA ‘lowest ever’ in 2024Extract from the release of 2024 mine health and safety statistics by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, on 23 January 2025. ...moreBeier Group, Department of Higher Education and SETA ‘better together’
Pinetown, KZN, SA – The Beier Group, which includes the BBF Safety Group, in December hosted the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) and the FP&M SETA for an oversight visit to ensure that state funds are being used in accordance with the Sectoral Skills Plan.DHET deputy minister Dr Mimmy Martha Gondwe and SETA ...moreA 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 ...more
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