Howick, KZN, SA - Despite to the rumours doing the rounds, Bresan Footwear is not in business rescue, but like a lot of businesses in the manufacturing sector, we have been affected by the current state of the South African economy.

Post lockdown, the business climate has changed and while we regained our production levels to pre covid levels in 2021, we lost considerable ground in 2022. This was further compounded by our factory move during December 2022 along with the load shedding plague of 2023.

While the greater part of 2023 has been a struggle, we have finally settled down from our move, but the massive drop in production volume has taken its toll. We were hoping for a better second half of the year, but our order book is way down on previous years.

The current situation has highlighted a number of areas of concern and weakness within our business model, and we are working to rebuild and improve on how we do things. To this end we are looking closely at what we offer and will be making considerable changes to ensure sustainable employment for our staff going forward.

We intend to continue servicing BBF with CMT uppers for as long as they need us while we completely restructure our footwear offering on the fashion side. The economic struggle is real, but we are still in the game and have some exciting plans for 2024. 

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA - "Business is slow - there's no money," said Gattas Trading Store member Ahmed Gattas. "It's Saturday morning, and it's frightening how quiet it is. However, we remain positive. November and December are normally good months for us."

Gattas specialises in military-style products - blankets, clothing, footwear, and outdoor gear - both new and second hand, and it sources much of its product from overruns, broken ranges and job lots. "We sell 1 item at a time," he said. "We can move that kind of merchandise."

He said the challenge was that overheads remained much the same while profitability was down. 

Durban, KZN, SA - The wave of layoffs at Boardriders globally since its takeover by Authentic Brands Group hasn't affected the operation in SA, sales and marketing manager Dane Patterson said last week.
However, after all the global effort of merging the Quiksilver and Billabong groups and turning distributors into subsidiaries, ABG is expected to revert to the distributor model.
"We're still waiting to see who ABG award the license to in SA for Boardriders brands. The global deal was done on 01 September. Lots of changes and restructuring in the big territories like US, Europe and APAC." 

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA - The fourth generation, family-owned German textile group Falke has appointed Michael de Koker to manage their South African operations. He has a background in manufacturing, retail, and distribution, and "is well equipped to lead Falke SA in an ever-challenging South African retail landscape", according to a release.

Established in 1974, FALKE SA manufactures technical sports and fashion socks for the domestic and export market at its Bellville factory and high-end hosiery at its Rosslyn, Pretoria, facility. 

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA - The annual Cape Town Cobblers' Lunch, which was first held in 2004, has been discontinued, the organising committee said last week.

Brian Schenck, Pierre Marais and Anthony Lopez said declining attendance was behind their decision.

"Even though there was always great enthusiasm and a lot of chin wagging that took place on the day, each year it became more difficult to get people to commit to attending the Cobblers Lunch. The Cobblers Team have therefore decided to end the Annual Cobblers Lunch, and distribute the remaining funds to charity."

The lunch was started by Schenck, Brian Carmichael and the late Lionel Williamson, who later handed over to Marais and Lopez.

"The aim of the Cobblers Event was to get the manufacturers and suppliers together for what we know as a Cobblers Lunch where they could network and enjoy an affordable lunch on a cobblers wage, nothing fancy or spectacular.

"The Goodwood Sports Club always hosted us and gave us a wonderful 3-course meal for a fraction of the intended price, along with our regular generous sponsors within the industry. Selling of Raffle tickets and donated prizes made up a generous kitty, which most of the time, subsidised the meal tickets and enabled us to donate to a charity each year.

"Brian would get up and tell the audience with great enthusiasm of orders received and pairage made in the footwear industry, which in those days equated to telephone numbers. Those who could relate would shout cheers of warm approval and admiration that would confirm the speaker.

"The Cobblers Team would like to thank all the sponsors over the years for their generosity.

"It has always been the HEART of the committee that the excess funds, be donated to various charities over the years, like that of Peninsula School Feeding, STEPP (Meals on Wheels), Table View Angels, and TEARS.

"A Final Farewell from the Cobblers Team."