Durban, SA – SA Footwear & Leather Export Council executive director Nerisha Jairaj and finance & admin manager Louise Pelser fly out tomorrow to host SAFLEC’s first stand at the Exporivaschuh fair in Riva de Garda, Italy.

It will differ from other recent SAFLEC missions in a number of ways:

3 firms will take part – Saddler Belt, Chic Shoes and Rarity Handbags.

Saddler will send a member of staff, sales manager Mylene Fisher. The others will be represented by SAFLEC.

The stands are being entirely funded by SAFLEC, without input from the DTI.

“There’s a 3-year waiting list for a stand at Exporivaschuh,” Nerisha said. “In December, after a year of negotiation and with the help of the SA consulate in Milan, we secured a small stand. The idea is to introduce South African products, and for visitors to be able to view them. Price lists and brochures have been provided by the companies and sales will be motivated.  The goal is to secure more space for June 2017 and give a larger spread of manufacturers an opportunity to exhibit.”

She said SAFLEC’s entire membership – mostly made up of footwear manufacturers (95% footwear and 5% general goods) – had been invited to take part, but only the 3 companies had responded in the restricted time available.

SAFLEC’s second exhibition this year will be the security, safety & health fair, Intersec, in Dubai, from January 22-24. She said the BBF Group was the only South African exhibitor, exhibiting several different brands. “They’re ticking all the right boxes from an international marketing perspective, with excellent strategies,” she said. “Some of the previous exhibitors have agents exhibiting for them.”

BBF will pay for the trip and can claim a portion back from the DTI via EMIA. – [+27 (0)31 266 1472, nerisha@saflec.co.za]

Durban, SA – Bata SA has appointed John Harman as its new company manager. We hope to publish more details shortly.

In a surprise move, former marketing manager Alex Gordon, who left last year to join Novita, has returned to the company in a similar position.

Durban, SA – The business rescue practitioners handling Sutherland Tannery (Pty) Ltd will have further meetings – later this week and next week – with 2 of a number of parties interested in taking over the business, Neil Button of Stowell & Co. said today.
    He said he hoped they would put in written offers by their deadline of January 21. No decision is expected before January 24.

Durban, SA – SARS is to meet with the Southern African Footwear & Leather Industries Association (SAFLIA) on January 23 to discuss issues around footwear imports (Risk Rules), according to executive director Jirka Vymetal.
Jannie Kriel of IS Training, who trains Customs staff on SAFLIA’s behalf, will also attend the meeting.  – [+27 (0)800 723542, jirka@saflia.co.za]