S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.3 No.45, November 13, 2017

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

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TFG: SA suppliers may benefit from offshore expansion

Cape Town (SA) – South African suppliers to TFG, both importers and manufacturers, may benefit from the opportunity to provide merchandise for some of the group's growing list of offshore subsidiaries, TFG CFO Anthony Thunstrӧm said on Friday.
       Speaking after the announcement last week that TFG plans to acquire the Hobbs womenswear chain for TFG Brands (London) Limited, he said menswear for its Australian brands offered the most likely prospect of business for SA-based suppliers.
       "The crossover between SA and UK womenswear is limited," he said. "The price points, fabrics and construction are very different. Most of the Phase Eight apparel is made in Europe and to some extent in Bali – very little comes from the East."
“We have however just launched Fabiani Women in South Africa, and the quality of their garments is world class.”
       "The menswear business in Australia is a more likely fit, with Markham here and RAG there being quite comparable. We're looking at where we can find the best quality and prices between the two supply bases."
       Hobbs currently has 140 outlets comprising standalone stores and concessions in the UK and is stocked in selected departmental stores across the world including Bloomingdales in the United States of America and Wohrl and SinLeffers in Germany. It also sells its merchandise online in 49 countries.

Fanci-Form: Plant re-opens after buyers walk away

Pinetown (SA) – Last plant Fanci-Form will resume production today after a 2-week shutdown following the decision by Glyn and Karen Giani to close and leave the business after they could not meet repayments.
       Fernand Vandenheede, who sold Fanci-Form at the end of 2016 to concentrate on his mould making business, Galabiss, said he would decide in the new year what to do with it, but that "there will definitely be an independent last factory in South Africa for the foreseeable future".
       In partnership with a backer, the Gianis bought Fanci-Form at the end of 2016 and renamed it Julonetix.
       In an email, Karen Giani wrote:
       "We had the plant on an instalment sale agreement ... with the condition that we keep the machinery on the premises and therefore had to take a lease of the building which was just too expensive for an operation like this. We did expect a quicker break-even time and higher volumes but ... it took us till July this year to meet our targets. By this time our budgets where depleted and we were in a bad cash flow position resulting in missed instalments to Galabiss.
         "We definitely did a turnaround for the company and you may confirm from our clients that we did deliver a far superior service and product than what they were used to.
       "Sadly Galabiss pulled the plug on us a week ago with a two week notice to catch up instalments. We did approach various of our clients to invest the small outstanding capital amount we owed on the machines in order to get the machines into affordable premises and restructure the operations. Unfortunately it seemed like a second last plant is not essential for the local footwear industry.
         "...I do hope someone does purchase the plant from Galabiss and starts it off again.
       "We are going to continue with the school and Glyn will also be doing freelance design work. Justin Rautenbach our model maker will also be offering freelance model making work and teaching for the school.  I will be starting a cobbler shop in Botha's Hill doing bespoke footwear with my artwork on."        Vandenheede said Fanci-Form would use Galabiss's contact details for the time being. - +27 (0)31 701 9526, galabiss@telkomsa.net

Movements

Durban (SA) – Former Nike KZN agent/accounts manager Campbell Nel left the company at the end of October after 6 years. He can be reached on +27 (0)84 569 6840, (0)31 764 1831, CampbellN@live.com.

Diary

November 21-23: ATF Trade Exhibition, Cape Town International Convention Centre. Deidre Harte, +27 (0)21 790 5849, atfexpo@worldonline.co.za

Birthdays this week

13/11/1945: Eckie Schumann, Shoetech, Pinetown.
13/11/19??: Indira Singh, retired, formerly Bellstedt, Pinetown.
14/11/1953: Bruce Lynn, emigrated.
14/11/1974: Norman Venks, HW Textiles, Hammarsdale.
14/11/1983: Ximena Farfan, freelance designer, Johannesburg.
15/11/1977: Mario Alves, Unikem Pinetown.
15/11/1971: Michelle Lambert, Freestyle Handmade Originals, Cape Town.
15/11/1971: Marcus Reddy, International Fabric Supplies, Durban.
16/11/1939: Danny Pincus, agent, Johannesburg.
16/11/1950: Len Crozier, retired, formerly leather technician, Bronkhorstspruit.
16/11/19??: Sonal Ambaram, JFK Trading, Durban.
17/11/1953: Andy Sandison, retired, formerly ACA Threads, Cape Town.
17/11/1966: Robbert van Schagen, Paris Avenue Boutique, Windhoek.
18/11/1939: Frank Rosenberg, Leathermarc, Bloemfontein.
18/11/1954: Feroze Bhamjee, Piccadilly, Johannesburg.
19/11/1949: Kevin Cockcroft, Maloti Mountain Moccasins, Pietermaritzburg.
19/11/1958: Alan Fleetwood, Bolton Group, Great Brak River.
19/11/1975: Kirsten Pillay, Isicebi Trading 1098 cc, East London.
19/11/19??: Johan Stumpf, left the industry, formerly KKI, Oudtshoorn.

In Memoriam this week

15/11/2002: Jody Woycieh (b. 12/11/1949), Sting Components [closed], Pietermaritzburg.
19/11/2014: Allan Bell (b. 09/07/1926), retired, formerly Bata Kenya and Futura Footwear, in the UK.

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 2/11: Hides & skins prices

The average hide price over the past week was 0.6% higher at R12.19/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies.

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

Classified Adverts

In need of a Boardroom/Meeting room?  SAFLEC is situated in Westville and has a boardroom seating 12 people (with space to add chairs within the room), than can be hired out to interested parties.

For more information, please contact Louise on 031 266 1473 or louise@saflec.co.za.

SAFLEC looks forward to having your support and you may view the room before hiring.

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: November 20, 2017.

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