S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.4 No.12, March 26, 2018
This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA
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Bata, Ihlobo, in court over contract
Pietermaritzburg (SA) – Legal representatives for Bata SA and Ihlobo Footwear will appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday to set a date for a hearing on Ihlobo's urgent application to force Bata to supply it with work.
According to a report in The Witness last Thursday, Ihlobo, one of a number of what Bata terms 'associate business units' (ABUs), asked the court "to grant an interim order to force Bata to place weekly orders with Ihlobo for equal in value to, or of greater value, than those placed last year".
It said Bata had "effectively cancelled" its contract on February 27, and that it had not had any orders from Bata since.
Ihlobo said Bata had encouraged it a number of times to increase production, with the result that in 2013 it had moved to bigger premises in Hammarsdale from Colenso, and that it had invested around R400 000 in equipment. It had also diversified from just making uppers for Bata to making complete stuck-on footwear, and had been told to prepare itself to make 4 500 pairs/day in addition to other work. To do so, it had taken an R8 million loan.
It said Bata had, in terms of its contract with Ihlobo and other ABUs, sent a letter, received on February 27, cancelling the contract on 30 days' notice, but that it had not received any work from Bata since receipt of the letter.
Ihlobo said that if the court did not force Bata to resume the orders, the company would have to close its business, retrench its entire 300-strong workforce, and repay the loan.
Yesterday, however, Ihlobo GM Neville Chetty told S&V Ihlobo was currently working with other customers, was not contemplating closure, and had not retrenched any staff.
Comment on the economy by Stanlib
Global ratings agency Moody’s Investor Services left South Africa’s international long-term credit rating unchanged at Baa3 on Friday night. Moody’s also changed the ratings outlook from negative to stable, ending the review for downgrade that started in November 2017.
This decision reflects Moody’s view that “the previous weakening of South Africa's institutions will gradually reverse under a more transparent and predictable policy framework”. Moody’s argued that “the recovery of the country's institutions will, if sustained, gradually support a corresponding recovery in its economy, along with a stabilisation of fiscal strength”. That is an impressive turnaround from the concerns expressed by Moody’s last year.
Former Decofurn manager moves into furniture manufacturing
Durban (SA) – Beau Diesbergen, former general merchandise manager for Decofurn and The Hub, is taking over a furniture manufacturing business, HCM Manufacturing. He left Decofurn in February.
SLTC Countdown - 9 weeks to go
Out of the mouths of students...
Extract for the paper to be presented by Dr Clive Jackson-Moss, head of the International School of Tanning Technology:
Student Answers To All Your Technical Questions
This paper will be a lighthearted, humorous discussion of some of the more amusing answers that students have given to assignment, test and examination questions on the various tanning and dyehouse courses that ISTT offers. Any previous ISTT students in the audience need to be warned that they may be asked to provide the correct answers to these questions!!!
When: May 18-20.
Where: Villa Paradiso in the Hartbeespoort Dam area.
News: Confirmed speakers are:
- Dr Geoff Tomlinson, R&D Manager, UCL Company. Topic: Vegetable tanning - art or science?.
- Dr Jay Irkhede, director: leather & footwear at the DTI. Topic: Industry status, policy and programmes.
- Ivan Peloso, Alpe. Topic: TBC
- Dr Clive Jackson-Moss, director, International School of Tanning Technology. Topic: Student answers to all your technical questions.
- James Daniel, Stahl. Topic: TBC.
- 'Sam Setter', the acerbic author of the Limeblast column in Leather International magazine. Topic: TBC. - Quintin Marais, Rolfes. Topic: TBC.
- Matteo Cabrini, Thema Systems. Topic: TBC. That is the probable full list of speakers for the convention.
They Said It
"I'm trying to turn myself into a youngster again, to bring new ideas into the range." - Lee du Plessis, managing member of leather goods manufacturer Bella Bianca. He also noted: "Young people aren't interested in the difficulties of manufacturing. They'd rather just import."
Exchange rates
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 11/12/2017 |
R15.82 |
R17.99 |
R13.40 |
R2.03 |
| 05/01/2018 |
R14.86 |
R16.69 |
R12.33 |
R1.90 |
| 13/01/2018 |
R15.14 |
R17.03 |
R12.41 |
R1.92 |
| 22/01/2018 |
R14.76 |
R16.75 |
R12.08 |
R1.88 |
| 26/01/2018 |
R14.74 |
R16.79 |
R11.86 |
R1.87 |
| 05/02/2018 |
R14.96 |
R16.89 |
R12.02 |
R1.91 |
| 12/02/2018 |
R14.64 |
R16.51 |
R11.95 |
R1.88 |
| 16/02/2018 |
R14.43 |
R16.30 |
R11.63 |
R1.83 |
| 23/02/2018 |
R14.19 |
R16.12 |
R11.54 |
R1.82 |
| 05/03/2018 |
R14.60 |
R16.39 |
R11.85 |
R1.86 |
| 12/03/2018 |
R14.58 |
R16.43 |
R11.82 |
R1.86 |
| 16/03/2018 |
R14.72 |
R16.70 |
R11.97 |
R1.89 |
| 23/03/2018 |
R14.53 |
R16.60 |
R11.75 |
R1.86 |
Birthdays this week
26/03/1950: Bunny Ramsay, Equalization Footwear, Durban.
26/03/1961: Peter Meinzer, Thiel’s Shoe Shop, Windhoek.
27/03/1952: Mike Conradie, Foot Focus group, Durban.
27/03/1958: Tony Parkes, Futura Footwear, Pinetown.
28/03/1963: Brett Momberg, BBF Group, Port Elizabeth.
28/03/1964: Pooan Archary, Paragon Footwear, Pietermaritzburg.
28/03/1968: Ismail Gathoo, Esquire, Bethlehem.
28/03/1986: Mohomed Adam, Seadoone Shoes, Amanzimtoti.
29/03/1949: Jose Alves, Unikem, Pinetown.
29/03/1951: Byron Ludlow, Michelle Footwear, Durban.
29/03/1954: Keith Alexander?
29/03/1955: Dennis Manning, emigrated, formerly Trenzado Footwear.
29/03/1963: Kosi Cooppan, Majenta Shoes, Durban.
29/03/1974: Julian Zuluaga, formerly Bata SA, Pinetown.
30/03/1946: Sarel Broodryk, retired, formerly Exotan, Port Elizabeth.
31/03/1966: Lars Torpus, ?, formerly Nakara, Windhoek.
31/03/1975: Imraam Essop, Baby Luv, Springs.
31/03/1986: Nazir Mahomed, Power Save Cash & Carry, Mpumalanga.
01/04/1960: Steve Hildebrand, agent, Pinetown.
01/04/1967: Peter Jönsson, formerly TFL SA and others, Johannesburg.
01/04/1969: Jenny Hopkins, agent, Port Elizabeth.
01/04/1973: Rennie Thambiran, Borage Trading, Pinetown.
In Memoriam this week
26/03/2002: Marie Joy Viljoen, Tuftex, Pinetown.
26/03/2011: Paolo Bresolin (b. 25/07/1944), Andreoli Shoes, Pinetown.
26/03/1994: Manfred Hanni, Hanni Leathers [now Seton AutoLeather], Nigel.
28/03/2011: Brian Berger (b. 25/12/1963), Armadillo Footwear, Johannesburg.
28/03/2015: Colin Grecia (b. 29/12/1964), Classic Components, Pinetown.
29/03/2008: Jeff Bub (b. 28/09/1942), In Shoes/In Clothing [closed], Cape Town.
31/03/2016: Peter Edmeades (b. 19/07/1950), Rebel Safety Gear, Germiston.
01/04/2001: John Rider, Colin D Bailey/BU Shoe Machinery, Pinetown.
01/04/2002: Paul Moeller (b. 20/07/1931), PMC Group, Cape Town.
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 23/03: Hides & skins prices
The average hide price over the past week was R9.56/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. The average price for Dorper skins was R32.22, and for Merino skins was R87.63.
| Hide & skin price progression |
| Date |
Hides/Kg |
Dorper/Skin |
Merino Skin |
| 19/01 |
15.34 |
45.56 |
81.38 |
| 24/01 |
15.17 |
40.92 |
89.52 |
| 31/01 |
15.10 |
46.00 |
94.55 |
| 14/02 |
14.65 |
47.33 |
95.29 |
| 15/03 |
14.25 |
39.30 |
78.75 |
| 24/03 |
14.13 |
45.27 |
94.45 |
| 28/03 |
14.07 |
45.27 |
94.45 |
| 04/04 |
14.83 |
41.92 |
87.58 |
| 11/04 |
14.68 |
41.92 |
84.12 |
| 19/04 |
14.77 |
43.85 |
92.32 |
| 25/04 |
14.75 |
41.25 |
92.27 |
| 04/05 |
14.79 |
43.33 |
92.69 |
| 10/05 |
14.75 |
40.50 |
88.41 |
| 16/05 |
14.58 |
40.83 |
90.96 |
| 31/05 |
14.62 |
40.50 |
87.95 |
| 09/06 |
14.58 |
41.82 |
96.35 |
| 23/06 |
14.40 |
40.42 |
101.25 |
| 29/06 |
14.30 |
41.36 |
98.44 |
| 07/07 |
14.33 |
43.33 |
100.94 |
| 13/07 |
14.37 |
44.44 |
114.58 |
| 28/07 |
14.14 |
43.64 |
97.50 |
| 04/08 |
14.16 |
43.69 |
99.64 |
| 14/08 |
14.08 |
38.99 |
92.75 |
| 18/08 |
13.70 |
43.18 |
98.96 |
| 25/08 |
13.93 |
43.75 |
100.96 |
| 01/09 |
13.14 |
44.09 |
101.25 |
| 08/09 |
12.88 |
41.82 |
100.83 |
| 21/09 |
12.64 |
|
|
| 03/10 |
12.50 |
|
|
| 11/10 |
12.52 |
|
|
| 20/10 |
12.23 |
39.30 |
110.23 |
| 27/10 |
12.12 |
37.30 |
94.32 |
| 02/11 |
12.19 |
|
|
| 10/11 |
12.24 |
37.00 |
101.75 |
| 30/11 |
11.82 |
32.56 |
94.25 |
| 07/12 |
11.76 |
35.50 |
92.50 |
| 14/12 |
11.53 |
35.50 |
91.86 |
| 02/02 |
10.39 |
32.50 |
92.22 |
| 09/02 |
10.17 |
33.13 |
91.27 |
| 16/02 |
9.94 |
32.50 |
88.26 |
| 16/02 |
9.94 |
32.50 |
88.26 |
| 16/03 |
9.62 |
33.75 |
90.50 |
Grain prices hit by US-China trade war
Weaner prices down, but bovine, sheep slaughter steeply down President Donald Trump announced yesterday that the US would be imposing tariffs on approximately US$50 billion worth of Chinese imports...International grain prices have taken a heavy hit this morning because of this trade war threat.
Grains
The lower calculated tariff of R394.90/ton was triggered on the 13th February 2018 is still pending publication. Since then a new lower calculated tariff at R293.74/ton was triggered on the 20th March 2018 which will have a negative effect on the producers during their optimal planting time.
The new maize and soybean harvest exceeds expectations and will mean that it will take longer to consume the stock of maize and soybeans locally. Due to a poor rate of exports, carry stocks for old season maize by the end of April is large. Typically, exports in previous years have made a significant contribution to reducing maize stocks. Maize prices are trading low and expected to remain low in the medium term. The accumulating stocks will place downward pressure on maize prices for a longer term. Unfortunately, international maize prices are also low because the world stock for maize is also high. At this stage, we must prepare ourselves for a new season of maize to be delivered in a period that will be characterized by a strong Rand. A strong rand reduces the export price of maize.
Livestock
Weaner calf prices are under pressure due to an increase in the number of weaners in the market currently.
Normally, the increased supply for weaner calves during the weaner season from March until May could weigh further on weaner calf prices. This will improve the price margin for feedlots.
During January 2018, an estimated 284 934 head of sheep were slaughtered. This is 18% fewer head of sheep slaughtered compared to the same time a year ago, and 20% less sheep slaughtered compared to January 2016.
During January 2018, an estimated 188 737 head of cattle was slaughtered. This is 10% less cattle slaughtered compared to the same time a year
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
FUSION SEEKS LEATHER FINISHER
Fusion Leather in Atlantis, Western Cape is looking for a Leather Finisher.
Must be a South African with 5+ years experience in Leather Finishing.
Please email CV’s to cecilia@fusionleather.co.za
FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGIST
The Southern Cape Regional Footwear Cluster is based in Great Brak River and supplies services and training to its members in the Southern Cape (Great Brak River and Oudsthoorn) as well as in the Western Cape (Cape Town). It is a Non-profit Company, funded by the DTI and its members and was establish to, among other objectives, develop and train future generations of well skilled Supervisory and operator production employees for the Footwear Industry.
SCRFC, wishes to recruit a Footwear Technologist who is a practical, energetic and an experienced footwear manufacturing/production specialist. It is expected that the successful candidate will have practical knowledge in all facets of Shoemaking and Manufacturing processes including Management and Industrial Engineering experience. The position is a fixed term contract and the person will be based in the Southern Cape. Remuneration is negotiable and will be on a Cost to Company basis. Benefits will be limited to those prescribed by legislation.
Please e- mail a detailed CV plus qualifications to Mrs Julia Paulse at julia.paulse@scrfc.co.za
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: April 3, 2018.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
Should you wish to subscribe email tony@svmag.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za
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