S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.4 No.23, June 11, 2018

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

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

Comrades count: Asics still top, Brooks and Saucony climbing the field

Durban (SA) – Asics maintained its lead in the Comrades Marathon shoe count, with a share of 38% of the field, according to a release today, based on entry forms completed in September last year.
       Nike was in second place, followed by New Balance, Adidas, Brooks, Saucony and 'other brands'.
       "Asics was down marginally," said Jax Snyman, managing member of speciality running retailer The Sweat Shop, "but that's to be expected, because everyone's after a piece of their share."
       He said this year's most impressive growth was by Brooks and Saucony, though both still have single figure shares.
       "That reflects trends internationally," he said. "In the US, in technical running, Brooks and Saucony are second and third, and Hoka is growing fast. It's likely that about 30% of the 2 000-odd international runners in this year's Comrades were wearing Hoka, but there wasn't a block for Hoka on the entry form. In this country, it's miniscule."
       He said the count also reflected counts for marathons and half marathons in SA. "For anything south of 21 kilometres, the share for Nike and Adidas increases. Nike's share of technical running internationally has been in decline for a long time. Here it's pretty much flat."

Wage negotiations: Footwear, Tanning sectors both head for conciliation

Durban (SA) – The Footwear sector of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry could not reach a settlement during the second round of negotiations last week (June 6 and 7), and June 28 has been set as a conciliation date. The council will employ a CCMA commissioner to mediate.
       The Tanning sector will meet on June 12 for conciliation to agree on a process to bring parity between the wages of general workers and entry level general workers.

EU to target US clothing, footwear in trade war

The EU will impose "temporary safeguard duties" on imports of US-made clothing and footwear in response to punitive tariffs by the Trump administration on imports of steel and aluminium, according to the Sourcing Journal.
       According to APLF, 25 million pairs were made in the US in 2017, and according to the website stastista, the 5 leading footwear export markets for the US in 2016, based on export value, were Canada (45%), Mexico, Japan, Korea and China (collectively 21%), so exports to the EU would be insignificant.
       If the EU penalised US-owned brands, however, it would be very significant. Perhaps someone should suggest it to them.

Euro Industrials moving

Pinetown (SA) – Trim manufacturer Euro Industrials will be moving to Unit H11, Pinemead Industrial Park, 14 Trafford Rd, Pinetown on Monday, June 18. Contact numbers will remain the same. As the changeover of telephone lines is happening on Friday 15th June, it is possible that the lines and emails will be down that day.

They Said It

"I hope they give me lots of warning - so I can start sweeping myself." - Dick Whittington Shoes MD Arveen Boodhoo on the possibility that the next UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress, in 2020, will be held in SA. Factory visits were a major part of this year's event in Portugal, and the factories visited were - without exception or exaggeration - pristine.

Exchange rates

Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/

Birthdays this week

11/06/1948: Basie Vermaak, retired, formerly Watson Shoes, Great Brak River.
11/06/1961: Andy Raouna, left the industry, formerly Multiserv, Johannesburg.
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.
14/06/1963: Niekie Vermaak, KKI Leather Marketing, Oudtshoorn.
14/06/1965: Beverley Riley, Brits Leather Products, Brits.
14/06/1965: Allan Kisten, Spunlok, Pinetown.
15/06/1945: James Cragg, agent, East London.
16/06/1945: Yusuf Kadwa, May’s Shoes, Durban.
16/06/1963: Deepak Dayal, Deluxe Footwear, Durban.
16/06/1965: Tersia Wessels, retired, formerly Crocs SA, Somerset West.
16/06/1973: Sue Meehan, left the industry, formerly Mantella Q Leather, Durban.
16/06/1985: Chris Stottelaar, Leather Systems, Port Elizabeth.
16/06/1960: Jaywant Irkhede, the DTI, Pretoria.
17/06/1973: Alfredo de Oliveira, Fashion Fever, Welkom.

In Memoriam this week

12/06/2004: Neville Williams (b. 04/1945), Cameo Components/Central Components [closed], Pinetown.
17/06/1994: Roy Inggs (b. 18/06/1932), Inggs Shoe Stores [closed], Roodepoort/Florida.

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 08/06: Hides & skins prices

The average hide price over the past week was R7.43/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 R31.67, and for Merino skins was R87.50.

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?

SAFLEC, situated at 6 Stedman Mews, 128 Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville, has a boardroom for hire.
       It seats up to 12 people around a table, and has space to add up to 15 more chairs in the room. You are welcome to view the room before hiring.
       For more information, please contact Louise on 031 266 1473 or louise@saflec.co.za.
We look forward to being of service.

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: June 18, 2018.

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