S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.8 No.07, February 14 2022

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Bounty Apparel appointed sole distributor for Reebok in SADC

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA (11/02/2022)  – Bounty Apparel has been appointed exclusive distributor for Reebok in South Africa and the rest of the SADC by Authentic Brands Group, which has bought Reebok from Adidas. That deal is expected to be finalised on 28 February 2022.
      Bounty Apparel is a subsidiary of Bounty Brands Group, and also distributes Vans, Jeep, Superdry, Hurley and Diesel.
      Reebok has retail sales of more than €1.4bn, according to Bounty's release.
      “Not only does Reebok have an amazing pedigree, but it is also a great fit with our current portfolio of brands. We are very excited about Reebok’s potential in the local market and look forward to a long and successful partnership with the brand,” said Warren Bowers, MD of Bounty Apparel.
      Stefan Rabe, Bounty Brands Group CEO, said: “Bounty Brands has a long history of successfully representing leading global and local brands in the Southern African market. We believe that our successful appointment was as a result of ABG recognizing both our proven brand-building capabilities and the fact that we have the resources to represent such a major brand in the local market.”
      “We are very pleased to welcome Bounty as our new Reebok partner in South Africa and are thrilled with their commitment to the brand,” said Corey Salter, COO at ABG. “Bounty is a respected and experienced distributor of leading global brands, and this partnership furthers our mission to secure Reebok’s presence in key territories around the world.”
      On Friday, Bowers said he couldn't answer queries about Bounty's planned distribution policy for Reebok, or about staff moving from Adidas to Bounty.
      "Essentially, we have just started the transition meetings and I am not in a position yet to answer most of these questions," he said. "The only question I can respond to at this stage [regarding concept stores] is that there are currently only two Reebok concept stores, in Canal Walk and Sandton, and our intention is to roll out at least 8 more in the next 5 years."

The State of the Nation address
 

SONA: Don't blink or you might miss reference to us

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – SA President Cyril Ramaphosa's 'state of the nation address' (SONA) last week included a reference to the CTFL master plan: "In the clothing industry, a number of retailers have announced ambitious localisation sourcing plans. One of these retailers, Foschini, kindly made the suit that I am wearing today at its new formal wear factory, Prestige Epping. Five years ago, more than 80% of all Foschini Group merchandise came from the East. Today, nearly half of the merchandise is locally made."
      His reference to the footwear industry was a bit more puzzling: "The genuine leather shoes I am wearing were made by members of the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers from Bolton Footwear in Cape Town and Dick Whittington Shoes in Pietermaritzburg."
      Aside from any logistical difficulties that might have entailed, I imagine SACTWU must have had a hissy fit at being so summarily ignored. Is there something about the 'Tripartite Alliance' we haven't heard about?

Fairs & Events
 

APLF Dubai: Give this event a chance, African visitors urged

Dubai – African businesses which normally visit the APLF fairs in Hong Kong should go the APLF special edition in Dubai from 30 March to 01 April, says leather industry commentator Sam Setter.
      "This fair is for the Africans the first occasion in 3 years to meet overseas customers due to the fact that Dubai has lifted all restrictions," he wrote. "Lineapelle in September last year was an unexpected success, even if it was clearly a European event, as it will be in an enlarged form also in 2 weeks’ time. They have some 900 exhibitors which is triple last September. A good sign.
      "That’s why I believe that Dubai, the Hong Kong substitute this year, is important for the African leather industry as a first start to open the field up again. Zimtrade have a stand and also the Egyptian tanners have a stand."

APLF organisers estimate approximately 500 exhibiting companies occupying some 20 000 m² of exhibition space with 15 national pavilions from Brazil, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and USA.
      "In conjunction with our six Informa regional offices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Organisers are working to attract some 8,000 attendees including buyers from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Romania, and Middle East. Thus, the mix of buyers will be different from a regular Hong Kong event but open up new opportunities from nearby African and Middle Eastern countries for participating companies looking to expand their base of international buyers," according to a release by the organisers.
      "To maintain APLF’s character as an integral event – that is a combination of conferences, seminars, and trade fair – the following events will be held during APLF Dubai:
Future Trends in a Post-Covid Leather Industry – 29 March (PM) Co-organised with International Leather Maker, topics include tanning with bio-based chemicals, deforestation, biodegradability of leather, image of leather and the consumer, animal welfare and reducing the carbon footprint of leather.
Leather Naturally Breakfast meeting – 31 March (AM) Leather Naturally will give an update about LN and Metcha Campaign.
Global Footwear Executive Summit – 31 March (PM) With the support from WorldFootwear.com, topics will include how digital technology will impact design, manufacturing, logistics and sales of footwear. Why prices of footwear have risen during the pandemic and finally the hot topic of the moment – sustainability – an issue that concerns all major brands, marketing and consumers in the 21 century. - More detailed information will be updated on www.aplf.com​.

IULTCS calls for papers for 'the next leather generation'

The third edition of the IULTCS Eurocongress, scheduled from 18 to 22 September 2022 in Vicenza Convention Centre, is calling for abstracts for papers, which must be submitted by 28 February. Its release reads:

The event has ambitious goals that are well represented in the effective synthesis of its title: Rinascimento: The next Leather Generation.
      You have time until 28 th February 2022 to join the Call For Papers and to send abstracts (in English) of your works. Scientific and Technical Committee of Eurocongress will evaluate them afterwards and will decide which one can be included in the event programme.

https://www.iultcs2022italy.org/abstracts-and-papers/

There are four key topics:
- Product Innovation
- Innovation of Process
- New approaches for the development of Standardized Methods
- News about Environmental Aspects

Future of tanning chemistry has started: don’t miss your chance to be part of it.
 

In case you missed it!

The February issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ONLINE

S&V FOOTWEAR & LEATHER GOODS MAGAZINE VOL88 NO2 FEBRUARY 2022
IN THIS ISSUE:

03 Doing Things Differently
- The first in a new series on footwear and leather goods manufacturers who successfully pursue alternatives to the mainstream. In this issue, interviews with:
- Jean-Laurent Teplitsky of Bertier Customs.
- Patricia Terre of Handmade Espadril.

08 Sector Reports
- Fashion: Dakotas - Supreme Hat & Cap breathes new life into old brand, explains Clive Pozniak.
- Safety footwear: Sisi launches first locally manufactured metaguard safety footwear style for women.
- Sportswear: With the move by major brands to direct-to-consumer channels, it's time for retail to reinvent itself, says Mike's Sports' Mike Augoustides.
- Sportswear: Direct-to-consumer has left the door wide open for smaller brands, says Olympic International's Gary van Rooyen.

13 The U.S. Market
- Sneakernomics: Trends in sports retail for 2022, by Matt Powell.

14 Sustainability
- Huntsman develops bio-based PU for Keen's plant-based soles.
- Texon boosts sustainability credentials with recycling certifications.

16 Training
- STADIO School of Fashion launches clothing production diploma.

14 Notice Board
- Mike Lashbrooke obituary: The booming voice is still, but not forgotten.
- Geert Schuiling obituary: An entrepreneur with an abiding passion for leather.
- Richemont appointment: Dr Bérangère Ruchat is chief sustainability officer.



Advertisers in this Issue
BBF Safety Group (OFC), Caterpillar / Medicus Footwear (08), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Italtan (3), S&V Calendar , S&V Directory (10), SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (09), Saddler Belts (05).

 

They Said It

"We have a new office in Cape Town with a fantastic team of ladies who will be picking up on the trend elements of the business. Trend has always been my passion and I have been doing freelance trend work for international brands for many years now, so finally taking the plunge (gulp!) to go on my own and be my own boss. But I will still be around and have a great working relationship with the Equator team so we may work together on future projects – the world is my oyster 😉" - Amber Grant, outgoing trend forecaster at Equator Accessories, Pinetown, KZN, SA.

Got anything you'd like to share?

Do you have any suggestions, comments or experiences about the industry that you'd like to share with the industry? - tony@svmag.co.za

14/02/1951: Maryse de Ranero, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
14/02/1975: Alita Scholtz, All Protection Safety, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, SA.
14/02/19??: Janine du Preez, freelance consultant, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
15/02/1957: Ashraf (Baboo) Kader, Kaytex Belts, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
15/02/1965: Sanjay Nana, Navada Clothing, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
16/02/1955: Hennie Roets, BKB, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
16/02/1966: Lorraine Jackson, agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
16/02/1987: Mohamed Hoosen, Winners, Klerksdorp, N.W. Province, SA.
17/02/1950: Ian McDonald, retired, formerly Speciality Threads [closed], Amanzimtoti, KZN, SA.
17/02/1960: Raju Dhaya, VJ’s Superstore, Humansdorp, E. Cape, SA.
17/02/1966: Anton Sprake, agent, Windhoek, Namibia.
17/02/1971: John Harman, formerly Bata SA, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
17/02/1977: Lara Campher, Chillisource, Durban, KZN, SA.
18/02/1942: George Naicker, formerly Edcon, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
18/02/1944: Colin Marx, retired, formerly Tropelli [closed], Pinetown, KZN, SA.
18/02/1956: Kevin Thompson, Leatherite International, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
18/02/1957: Desmond Sutherland, Aviocean (Natal), Durban, KZN, SA.
18/02/1977: Zahir Kader, Kaytex Belts, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
19/02/1944: Bruno Tarasconi, formerly Bruno Original, now Etsang Dieta Primary Co-operative, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
19/02/1988: Joash Govender, Prisaan Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
20/02/1959: Rashmi Kooverjee, Babu’s, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
20/02/1969: Dada Segwe, Bontsho Bosweu Shop, Vryburg, N.W. Province, SA.
20/02/1973: Bridget Johnson, Bibbi Shoes, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
20/02/19??: Rakesh Ambaram, JFK Trading, Durban, KZN, SA.

In Memoriam this week

14/02/2004: Brian Matkovich (b. 06/02/1941), Futura Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
17/02/2011: Basil Benjamin (b.27/08/1929), agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
18/02/2017: Harry Adams, (b. 24/02/xx), Finlam Textiles, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
19/02/2015: Professor Dr Des Cooper (b. 14/04/1928), Leather Industries’ Research Institute (LIRI) [closed], Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA.
20/02/2004: Barry Dowson (b. 1938), Barry Dowson Components [closed], Greytown, KZN, SA.

Have you let us know about your birthday, or the birthdays of your colleagues? Our readers love this section, so please become part of it. This also applies to the In Memoriam section. Help us remember former colleagues.

Classified Adverts

Looking to purchase good condition refurbished machinery for leather goods.

Job creation initiative involving local NPO.
Please contact Susan.
Cell No: 072 410 6683

Directory entries updated last week

Allimor Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.

New subscribers last week

Mogen Reddy, Customs (SARS), Durban, KZN, SA.

3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK)

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4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

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5. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL$)

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ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (10 February 2022) - The current average hide price remained unchanged at R5.62/kg from a week ago. The current price is 2.2% higher than the average price a month ago and is 17% higher than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R5.00 Maximum price: R5.80. Please note: Our methodology weighs the prices we collect according to the number of hides they sell in a month. This is done to make it more representative of the prevailing market price. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. - Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist, and Nkhensani Mashimbyi, agricultural economist, Absa group.

Note: For previous prices, see HERE

Have a look at these links

We invite businesses to send us links to websites, Facebook pages and the like which they feel would be of interest to others. The links below are from our database:
Grand Shoe/Designer Shoe Outlet/Brazilia, Durban, KZN, SA. Women's footwear retailer.
Grand Uniforms, Durban, KZN, SA. Workwear and uniform manufacturer.

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: February 21, 2022.

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

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