S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.3 No.23, June 12, 2017

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website

Stuttafords: ‘Many options, but wind-down continues’

Johannesburg (SA) – The business rescue practitioners handling Stuttafords are “engaging with a number of people with numerous options”, Neil Miller, the joint business rescue practitioner, said today. “It amounts to an organised wind-down of the business,” he said, “but that can mean various things.”
       This follows the amendment of the plan adopted on March 8 after shareholder Ellerines withdrew from its obligations, which would have seen it inject money into the company and take over management.
       Stuttafords has closed some of its stores, retrenched some of its staff, and embarked on discounted sales.

Wage negotiations: Still no settlement for tanning

Port Elizabeth (SA) – Employers and unions in the Tanning Sector of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA have still not reached agreement on wage increases after a third round of negotiations yesterday, and a first meeting today before a CCMA-accredited external mediator.
       A second round before the mediator will be held on a date still to be announced after the parties have consulted with their members.
       Wage negotiations in all 3 sectors this year – Tanning, Footwear and General Goods & Handbags – failed to reach agreement after the customary 2 rounds of negotiations. The Footwear Sector is scheduled to have its third round on June 21 and 22, and employers in the General Goods & Handbags Sector are consulting with their members before responding to the unions by June 19.
       There was no indication from the NBCLI what the positions of the various parties are, beyond that they are “quite close”, according to general secretary Gerald Naidoo.
The new wage agreements are due to come into effect on July 1, putting pressure on all parties – but especially the unions – to settle soon. – [+27 (0)31 305 8230, geraldn@nbcli.co.za]

Über Gruvi creditors’ meeting

The statutory first meeting of creditors and members [of Über Gruvi cc], in terms of section 78 of the Close Corporations Act No 69 of 1984, as amended, will be held before the Master of the High Court, Durban, on 14 June 2017 at 10h00. – [http://summittrust.co.za/estates-list/ubergruvi-cc-d572017/]

Design and trends: Learning from the experts

Orietta Pelizzari (left) and Georgia Roehe Turri are currently conducting the 4-day ARSUTORIA design workshop for footwear and leather goods manufacturers in Durban. This will be followed next week by 6 half-day trend presentations (see below).

June 19: Durban, Durban University of Technology, Ritson Campus
10h 00 - 13h00 (manufacturers and component suppliers)
14h00-17h00 (retailers, importers, buyers and wholesalers.)

June 21: Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Hotel School Waterfront
10h 00 - 13h00 (manufacturers and component suppliers)
14h00-17h00 (retailers, importers, buyers and wholesalers.)

June 23: Johannesburg, UNISA Johannesburg Campus, Florida
10h 00 - 13h00 (manufacturers and component suppliers)
14h00-17h00 (retailers, importers, buyers and wholesalers.)

Interested parties should please send your details through to Ernest Heunis at SHALC (ernest@leatherite.co.za), Ina Venter at SAFLIA (Ina@saflia.co.za), or Prenisha Dukhirpersad at SAFLEC (info2@saflec.co.za).

Appointment

Rodrigo Footwear has appointed Mehmood (Joe) Mohamed as its agent for Gauteng, North West Province, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Free State. – [+27 (0)84 432 4443, makemydayplz@outlook.com]

Diary

July 13: SAFLEC AGM, Coastlands Hotel, Umhlanga. +27 (0)31 266 1472, Info2@saflec.co.za.
August 2: SAFLIA AGM, venue to be confirmed, Cape Town. 0800SAFLIA, info@saflia.co.za.
August 18-22: Podiatry Association of SA 11th Biennial Congress, The Maslow, Sandton. info@pasacongress.co.za.

They Said It

"Honourable Chairperson, during our National Budget Vote I cautioned against politicizing agriculture and called for a collective effort to address challenges faced by both farmers and farm workers alike. Unfortunately, South Africa is experiencing an upsurge of criminality which has manifested in the brutal killings of farm workers and farmers alike. This is a blight on the very fibre of our nation and can no longer remain unabated.
“The issue of food security affects us all Chairperson, rich, poor, black and white and in a time when sowing division appears politically expedient; only unity of purpose in advancing our national interest, can create a better South Africa we can all be proud of." - Senzeni Zokwana, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, in his budget vote delivered in Parliament today.

Birthdays this week

12/06/1954: Frieda Maisey, left the industry, formerly Brondean Agencies, Port Elizabeth.
13/06/1943: Peter Book, retired, formerly Woodheads, Cape Town.
13/06/1950: Maria Caldeira, Solemates, East Rand.
13/06/1966: Benedict Plaatjies, African Hide Trading.
13/06/1974: Stuart Worrall, Elan Polo, Cape Town.
14/06/1931: Malcolm Hill, retired, formerly Bata SA/Beier Footwear, Pinetown.
14/06/1952: Terry Holton, ACA Threads, Gauteng.
14/06/1965: Beverley Riley, Brits Leather Products, Brits.
14/06/1963: Niekie Vermaak, KKI Leather Marketing, Oudtshoorn.
15/06/1945: James Cragg, agent, East London.
16/06/1963: Deepak Dayal, Deluxe Footwear, Durban.
16/06/1973: Sue Meehan, left the industry, formerly Mantella Q Leather, Durban.
16/06/1965: Tersia Wessels, retired, formerly Crocs SA, Somerset West.
16/06/1945: Yusuf Kadwa, May’s Shoes, Durban.
16/06/19??: Jaywant Irkhede, the DTI, Pretoria.
17/06/1973: Alfredo de Oliveira, Fashion Fever, Welkom.
18/06/1933: Erich Debus, retired, formerly Richleigh Shoes [closed], Pietermaritzburg.

In Memoriam this week

12/06/2004: Neville Williams (b. 04/1945), Cameo Components/Central Components [closed], Pinetown.

Do you have any names you’d like to add to our list of birthdays and In Memoriam? Please send the details.

ABSA Agri Trends 31/05: Hides & skins prices

Mohair production in 2017 may decline by between 5-10%, due to aftermath of the drought. South Africa is the world largest producer of mohair, and accounted for 53% of the total global production in 2016. Total production traded sideways in 2016 compared to 2015. The South African rand has strengthened recently, which proves to be a challenge for prices as this industry is mainly export driven. South Africa is technically in a recession phase and we need a reduction in interest rates to foster growth. However we expect that the Reserve Bank will hold interest rates unchanged in order to protect the Rand. The increased political uncertainty and possible credit downgrades is a risk for the value of the Rand. Should the rand weaken further, it will benefit the export income of the mohair industry.
       The average bovine hide price over the past week was R14.58/kg green. Hide prices are determined by the average of RMAA and independent companies. The average price for Dorper skins was R41.82/skin and Merino was R96.35/skin.

Trade Fair dates

For a list of local and international trade fairs covering footwear, leather goods, leather and PPE, visit our website: http://www.svmag.co.za/events.php

Contact us

News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za

Next newsletter: June 19, 2017.

SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za

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