S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.3 No.30, July 31, 2017

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

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Hanssa Tool & Die closed

Durban (SA) – Unit maker Hannsa Tool & Die has closed, according to sources close to the business. GM Gunter Hannweg could not be reached for comment, but the plant in Mariann Industrial Park, Northdene, was closed on Monday.

Jimmy Choo sold for US$1.3 billion

London (UK)(July 25) – Michael Kors Holdings Limited (NYSE:KORS), a global fashion luxury brand, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Jimmy Choo PLC (LON:CHOO), a premier global luxury footwear and accessories brand. Under the terms of the transaction, Jimmy Choo shareholders will receive 230 pence per share, with an enterprise value of approximately USD $1.350 billion. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. - [http://investors.michaelkors.com/]

East African leather stakeholders prepare to engage with SMEs

Published on July 26, 2017 From July 19 – 21, the Hub’s grantee COMESA LLPI held a stakeholder workshop to discuss implementation of a design training for SMEs in the leather sector. COMESA LLPI invited representatives from focal institutions in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi. The Hub, through its work in the leather sector, has identified lack of design skills as a key impediment to SMEs accessing global markets. The Hub-supported design training will remove this impediment by helping East African SMEs produce better-designed products that adhere to international consumer trends.
       Stakeholders left the workshop with a cleared understanding of the initiative’s goals and objectives and with an understanding of how they could contribute to the development and validation of the selection criteria for participating SMEs. Workshop participants also learned how to identify and classify defects in leather and leather products to guide them in reviewing the samples from SMEs during the screening process. - [http://www.eatradehub.org/]

Shoepack: 'The Perfect Fit'

From Sarah Hayes-Hill, Chillisource
If you're wondering why you need Shoepack, and you do need Shoepack, take a moment to consider this. Shoepack is a fully integrated management control system that ultimately allows you to spend less time gathering and sorting through information and more time focusing on driving sales and improving your bottom line.
       Based in South Africa, Shoepack (Pty) Ltd t/a Chilli Source Development has been revolutionising the footwear industry since 1994, with a B-BBEE level 4 status and both the skill and drive to continually evolve and meet technological needs.
       Chilli Source Development goes beyond simply offering minimal start-up costs, and gives you the option to take advantage of our affordable month to month rental system. You will be able to successfully implement management control, dealing with everything from purchasing raw materials to selling your finished goods.
       Our development team is passionate about providing quality software solutions for businesses, and you can be rest assured that Shoepack's scalable software will suit your company's needs. We strive to be front runners in our own industry, so that you can excel in your business. - [+27 (0)‌72 8‌28 8‌237, sarah@‌chillisource‌.co‌.za‌]

Cobblers' Lunch brought forward

Cape Town (SA) – The annual Cape Town Cobblers' Lunch has been moved forward this year to October 14.
       The venue remains the Goodwood Sports Club. Further details closer to the time. - [+27 (0)21 551 4032, ctoffice@apeco.co.za]

ATF: Bookings open for November show

Cape Town (SA) – The ATF Trade Exhibition will take place from November 21-23 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
       ATF is South Africa’s only import sourcing show for the footwear, fashion accessory, clothing and textile industries. The main objective of ATF is to offer local importers and international manufacturers and service providers an opportunity to make contact with Southern African buyers from chain stores, independent retailers, mini-chains, boutiques, manufacturers and other important industry decision makers.
         Says show organiser Deidre Harte: "ATF is a strictly trade only exhibition designed specifically for our exhibitors to meet with trade buyers and other important industry professionals. It provides a platform to network and make contact with new potential buyers, reinforce business with  existing customers, explore business opportunities or showcase a brand new product range to the industry. The successful concept of running industry related product sectors side by side affords buyers the broadest possible comparative selection in a closed compact environment, making it attractive for them to visit."
       More than 150 exhibitors from over 13 countries will once again be represented at this highly focused trade event which will feature a 3 day trade show, daily fashion shows, industry presentations, new product launches and an opening cocktail reception. If you would like to EXHIBIT, email atfexpo@worldonline.co.za or complete the exhibitor registration form online at  www.atfexpo.co.za. Organisers: LTE – leaders in trade exhibitions, Tel: +27 21 790 5849.

Bata repositioning

From Roxane van der Byl Bata South Africa is currently repositioning and revamping its operation nationwide to be in-line with the Bata brand across the globe with a specific focus on improving the overall shopping experience for the customer.
       Retail and wholesale divisions have been under the spotlight in 2017, new appointments have taken place in senior management and the manufacturing division will be reviewed in the near future.
       “Transformation of the brand is already underway, with the closing of some stores and the revamping of others,” says John Harman, Bata SA country manager. “The aim is to reposition Bata from being predominantly wholesaler to more of a retailer by improving the overall shopping experience for the customer.”
       Bata’s success in offering reliable footwear has made it synonymous with its school shoe range and now the challenge is to highlight its other products to appeal to the fashion-savvy shopper.
       Having conducted extensive research, the company is rationalising its retail footprint and focusing on escalating its presence in ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade malls. “We would like to open more stores in the future similar to those in Durban’s Gateway, Pretoria’s Menlyn and Cape Town’s Canal Walk,” Harman explains.
       Merchandise and brands carried by Bata are currently under review. “While Bata intends to retain its reputation as a supplier of affordable, reliable footwear, we are placing a lot more emphasis on promoting our trendy footwear lines,” Harman adds.
       The well-known high-quality Toughees brand has been a mainstay of Bata SA for decades and is estimated to hold 45% of the leather school-shoe market – that’s almost half of the 9 million pairs sold in South Africa annually.
       Bata South Africa will continue to promote this successful line but will also be introducing a new synthetic school-shoe range to stores. Both brands will be locally-made.
       The other truly-local, ever-popular Tomy Takkies line is also being repositioned. The brand has been part of the South African footwear scene since 1964 and will have all sectors – including distribution, marketing and product development – reviewed to elevate its position in the marketplace.
       Wholesaling will be increased in the various products in the Bata Industrials ranges.
       “By expanding our wholesale presence and strengthening our retail operations, we are confident that we are just beginning to unpack our full potential,” says Harman.

Cedars closes

Bloemfontein (SA) – Cedars Shoes & Accessories, owned by LCS founder Wessel Nolte, has closed.

They Said It

"I'm just a backroom boy these days." - CL Hansen Agencies' member Cecil Hansen, referring a query to son Hugh.

"My husband is the only one who knows it's not true." - Silence Pindura, PA to the MD at Bogart Man, on whether her unusual first name is an accurate reflection of her nature.

Diary

August 10-11: SA Crocodile Industry Association conference and AGM, Willows Country Lodge, Pretoria. +27 (0)12 529 8510, gerry.swan@up.ac.za.
August 18-22: Podiatry Association of SA 11th Biennial Congress, The Maslow, Sandton. info@pasacongress.co.za.
October 14: Cobblers' Luncheon, Goodwood Sports Club, Cape Town. Voden Wearne, +27 (0)21 551 4032, Voden.Wearne@apeco.co.za.

Birthdays this week

31/07/1940: David Berry, retired, formerly Rockshoes [closed], Pinetown.
31/07/1969: Mark Dicks, emigrated, formerly Prime Leathers, Pinetown.
01/08/1935: Bev Jack, retired, formerly Bata Zimbabwe and LAIFEZ, Harare.
02/08/????: Brian Haarburger, Paris Belts, Johannesburg.
02/08/1946: Burt Coburn, ?, Cape Town.
03/08/1941: Rolf Haesloop, Haesloop Agencies, Pinetown.
03/08/1972: Fazel Allie, Arma Trading, Botswana.
03/08/1928: Gerry Elder, retired, Cape Town.
05/08/1933: Roberto Marchesi, designer, Cape Town.
05/08/1953: Iqbal Moosa, Jumbo Footwear, Pietermaritzburg.
05/08/1956: Rafiq Shah, Evoné, Pietermaritzburg.
05/08/1964: Christo Nel, Conloo Joinery, Welkom.
05/08/1979: Deepesh Ghela, National Adhesive Manufacturers, Pietermaritzburg.
06/08/1953: Naren Pattundeen, Palm group, Durban.
06/08/1951: Marius Ferreira, Watson cluster co-ordinator, Great Brak River.
06/08/1942: Mahomed Farouk Moosa Seedat, Same Time Shoe Repairs, Durban.
06/08/1959: Mano Chetty, Borage Trading, Pinetown.

In Memoriam this week

03/08/1999: Otto Guldimann (b. 2/10/1922), Cellini [closed], Cape Town.
03/08/1992: Malcolm Kueghn, Hi-Tec Sports, Johannesburg.
03/08/2007: Noel Amery (b. 05/09/1944), Clarens Leather [closed], Clarens.
04/08/2006: Peter Gibbings (b. 31/01/1922), Apeco, Port Elizabeth.
05/08/2002: Darryl Austin (b. 21/02/1947), Austin Shoes, Karmino Shoes [both closed], Pietermaritzburg.
06/08/2012: Bob Johnsen (b. ?), footwear designer, Durban.

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 28/07: Hides & skins prices

The average bovine hide price over the past week was R14.14/kg green. Hide prices are determined by the average of RMAA and independent companies. The average price for Dorper skins was R43.64/skin and Merino was R97.50/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

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

Next newsletter: August 7, 2017.

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