S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.8 No.11, March 14 2022

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

" African leather and leather goods manufacturers are always demanding, spurred by various UN agencies and NGOs, bigger worldwide visibility for their companies and their products. But when the occasion for visibility presents itself in the form of APLF Dubai, none of these entrepreneurs step up to the start line. APLF have approached during the last weeks a host of African tanners and manufacturers with an invitation to attend the fair but 99% of the responses were 'no thank you'. Why? Simply because APLF is not footing the bill for tickets and hotels. Come on guys and girls! Work on your future and invest in attending the fair to meet buyers. Those who did in the past benefitted from their investment. Now it is your turn! You are still in time! - Encouragement from leather commentator Sam Setter "

Universal Footwear 'had become a significant manufacturer' before liquidation, but was headed for conflict over labour

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Universal Footwear & Trading Co. (Pty) Ltd had grown a substantial local manufacturing programme supplying Ackermans and several other chains with leather and synthetic basic sandals out of 2 plants, in Cape Town and Durban, according to various sources, but none could shed light on the company's apparently sudden decision to go into voluntary liquidation early this month.
      MD Philippe Hasson said he couldn't comment until a liquidator had been appointed.
      The Cape Town plant, operating out of Universal's head office in Paarden Eiland, was making around 1 000 pairs/day of synthetic sandals. The Durban plant, operating out of its warehouse in Springfield Park, was making about 500 pairs/day of leather sandals. In addition, it was at various times sourcing footwear from several other KZN plants, including The Sneaker Factory.
      "They were doing very well in January," said André Yon, member of knife maker A&L Engravers & die Sinkers cc. "They had a few hundred staff, and everyone looked very busy.
      "The factory manager told me they'd keep me so busy I wouldn't have time for other customers. In the middle of last month [February] they ordered stickers for their hangers, and 2 weeks later they were in liquidation."
      He said A&L had made embossing blocks with logos for Ackermans, Earth Child and Woolworths for Universal.
      Said another supplier: "They were a large but seasonal producer of leather summer footwear."
      Several sources said Universal's production staff were supplied by a labour broker.
      According to the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry, employees of labour brokers becomes employees of the client (Universal) after 3 months. "The labour broker had not paid its dues and the Bargaining Council summoned the labour broker and Universal to an arbitration hearing scheduled for 31 March 2022," NBCLI general secretary Gerald Naidoo said. "The Bargaining Council intends holding the labour broker and Universal jointly and severally liable for the non compliances."

Hi-Tec: Retail 'still adds value'

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – In response to a query on Hi-Tec's policy regarding supplying retail as opposed to direct-to-consumer, CEO Gary de Vogel wrote: "Hi-Tec believes there is still great added value in supplying to independents, mini-chains and multiples.
      "Specific capsules can be highlighted, and ranges can be presented as brand builders.
      "Further merchandising activations and in-store marketing efforts are often easier.
      "Owner involvement can help with telling a story from design to usage.
      "We however have hardened our stance that we are not a bank and here to fund businesses.
Continued late payments, sad to say, have resulted in several accounts being closed."

In case you missed it!

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

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ONLINE

S&V FOOTWEAR & LEATHER GOODS MAGAZINE VOL88 NO3 MARCH 2022
IN THIS ISSUE:

03 Headline
- News to be aware of.

03 Doing Things Differently
- Project Dyad: A leather goods manufacturer merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Answers from Jessika Balzer.
- Freedom of Movement: Aiming for a globally recognised South African lifestyle brand. Léan Boezaart explains.

08 Sector Reports
- Fashion: Tarzan has received its biggest export order to date, says John Olde-Oldhof.
- Safety footwear: Sisi launches first locally manufactured metaguard safety footwear style for women.
- Fashion: New distributor Crick opens first concept stores.
- Safety: Lemaitre focuses on comfort.

12 The U.S. Market
- NPD: The pricing conundrum.
- NPD: U.S. footwear industry growth rates look to be slow but steady through 2024.

15 Sustainability
- Texon develops new sustainable, biodegradable fashion material.
- Footwear remains biggest market for recycled PVC in SA.
- MICAM puts the focus on sustainability.

16 Fairs & Events
- Première Vision Paris: 'A successful edition marks the sector's revival, and rises to the challenges of tomorrow's fashions.'
- Messe München reorganises ISPO team.



Advertisers in this Issue
BBF Safety Group (OFC), Caterpillar / Medicus Footwear (08), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Italtan (03), JFK Trading/Jack Parcels (04), S&V Calendar (below), S&V Directory (11), Saddler Belts (08).

They Said It

"It is a sad state of affairs to be honest. But it is what it is, and we can only move on from here. I have managed to find work. It's a heck of a drive, but it keeps me busy and it's better than sitting on my hiney, drinking myself into a depression stupor." - Former Apeco staff member on the closure of the business. 

"I was so shocked to read the news about Universal Footwear...heard a teeny, tiny rumour last week & this is once again proof that where there’s smoke, there’s a fire." - Cape Town footwear person.

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

14/03/1958: Berno Dumas, Bolton Footwear, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
14/03/1966: Silvan Pillay, Shoe Biz, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
15/03/1960: Judy Friend, Safari Leathers, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
15/03/1965: Neil Solomons, Bolton Footwear, Cape Town.
15/03/1972: Vanyo Mangaliso, Sun Goddess, Johannesburg.
15/03/1973: Jacky Hay, Little Slipper Co., Port Elizabeth.
15/03/1974: Tim Pittaway, Ostrich Emporium, Port Elizabeth.
16/03/1961: Doc Motala, Crown Footwear, Pinetown.
16/03/1965: Rod Bloom, Barksole Shoe & Bag Repairs, Cape Town.
16/03/1979: Matthew Boltman, Noo Shoes, Pretoria.
16/03/1987: Pankaj Mistry, Superstar Fashions, Vereeniging.
18/03/1948: Stan Rabinowitz, Footwear Direct [closed], Johannesburg.
18/03/1980: Rory Ramsay, Feetfirst Distribution, Durban.
19/03/1959: Deon van Rensburg, Wayne Plastics, Krugersdorp.
19/03/1972: Morné Pienaar, Memories, Bloemfontein.
19/03/1972: Faieza Akoon, Urban Legends, Bloemfontein.
20/03/1982: Ashley Kisten Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban.

In Memoriam this week

14/03/1988: John Begg, BU Shoe Machinery [closed], Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
17/03/1995: Kees Pulles, Futura Footwear [now Bata SA], Loskop, KZN, SA.
16/03/2008: Tilly Amery, FISA [closed], Durban, 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.

New subscribers last week

Craig Joseph, Crick group, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
Martie Marais, Penguin Leather & Crafts, Mossel Bay, W. Cape, SA.
Nic du Toit, Ridgeback Crafts, Villiersdorp, W. Cape, SA.
Johan van Veenendaal, Cedara College of Agriculture, Hilton, KZN, SA.
Petra, Niche Leer/Leather, Potchefstroom, N.W. Province, SA.
Ursula, Eagle Eye Security Specialists, OR Tambo International Airport, Gauteng, SA.
Lloyd Macklin, retired, Vaal Marina, Gauteng, SA.
Andries du Toit, hobbyist, Winklespruit, KZN, SA.
Angeliki McCarthy, occupation and location not given, SA.

Directory entries updated last week

D.P. Sheppard & Co., Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
Famous Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.

3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

5. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL$)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (10 March 2022) - The current average hide price decreased slightly by 0.1% to R6.86/kg from R6.87kg a week ago. The current price is 22.1% higher than the average price a month ago and is 18.5% higher than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows:
Minimum price: R5.98
Maximum price: R7.00.
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:
H. Schneider Retailers, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Men's outfitter.
Haesloop Agencies, Pinetown, KZN, SA. Component supplier.

Classified Adverts

Complete vulcanized takkie manufacturing plant for sale.

Please email for more details and list of machines.
Support@frontlinepsg.co.za

Operations / Factory / Production Manager position required.

20+ years experience in the footwear industry. Based in KZN. CV available on request.
Please contact on 068 053 3245.

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: March 21, 2022.

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

Our website www.svmag.co.za