S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.8 No.40, October 3 2022

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'Revolutionary sugar tannage will answer leather's sustainability critics'

Böblingen, Germany (22 September 2022) - Schill+Seilacher GmbH launched SUCCUIR, a new pre-tannage and tannage at this year’s Lineapelle, September 2022 Trade Fair. The product is based on a triose that is derived from vegetable oil waste streams. A White Paper was also launched at the fair which details the technology. The technical team are available to answer any questions and to supply you with the White Paper, directly. Alternatively, the White Paper will be available for download from the website: www.schillseilacher.de
      The product launched focuses on sustainable chemistry, biodegradability, process versatility, and biogenic chemistry. The talk presented on the 21st September, in two exclusive sessions, highlighted a product that is 100% biogenic (which is of great interest for the automotive sector). Additionally, the sugar tanning method allows a highly biodegradable and renewable tannage, which can be made into any leather article.

Lots of challenges in Malawi, but wealthier consumers still prefer quality

Iqbal Hajat, Director, Footwear Centre Ltd, in Blantyre, Malawi, answers our questions.

Month-by-month, how trading this year has compared with last year AND pre-covid.

Generally, we are seeing approximately 20% increase in sales value over last year, but this does not mean we are doing a higher volume of sales; rather it could be due to the devaluation of the local currency amongst other things, leading to higher prices and thereby higher sales values.

What factors are affecting trading, for good or bad, this year.

     The price increases across the board are leading to a reduction in the spending capacity of the population and this has led to very difficult conditions in the retail space especially in the non-essential / luxury goods area.
      Transport costs have more than doubled in the past year, leading to further increases in prices and where that is not possible has affected margins.
      Some of the competitors have shut down so we are getting a better market share.
      The second hand and Chinese cheap products are flooding the market but we still find that middle to upper income people still prefer a higher quality, durable product
 
Any challenges you have getting stock.

Yes, we are having a few issues with getting our orders on time, due to various factors including delays in supplies of raw materials to manufacturers, natural disasters such as the floods in Natal damaging manufacturing infrastructure and stored materials in warehouses.

Which brands and styles are selling best for you.

Shoes - We are still doing very well with the classics like John Drake, Barker, Crockett & Jones, Bronx, Kangol, Jack Parcels, Foot-Form, Pierre Cardin and Plum.
        One-ups & Trustees are doing well in the school shoes and we are finding that the customers are going for the more expensive leather One-ups instead of the cheaper synthetics. 
      Polishes - Plush is now the primary shoe polish available in Malawi after suppliers of Nugget & Kiwi polishes have been failing to re-supply retail shops and chain stores.

School wear 'slightly up' on last year

Edendale, Gauteng, SA - Member Ebrahim Patel, who took over Edendale Outfitters recently and closed the Ebrahim Hassen & Co store in Germiston, now concentrates entirely on school wear.
      He said business was "slightly up" on last year, and that overall he was satisfied.
      On the uniform side, he said some suppliers were battling to get fabrics, but that there were no issues with school shoes, where he stocks Hush Puppies, Toughees and Buccaneer.

Stock Exchange News Service (SENS)

Truworths - joint deputy CEO appointments

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA (Wed 28 Sep 2022, 11:44) - The board announced the appointment of Sarah Proudfoot and Emanuel Cristaudo as the Group’s joint deputy CEO with effect from 1 October 2022.
      In September 2020 the board advised shareholders that Michael Mark had indicated his desire to retire in 2 years at the November 2022 AGM. It was envisaged that Michael (who has served as Group CEO for 26 years) would move into a consulting role for a further year to advise the board and support the transition.
      The board has requested Michael to extend the transition process beyond the November 2022 AGM by retaining the position of the Group’s CEO and chairman of the material subsidiary companies, whilst handing over an increasing number of operational responsibilities to Sarah and Mannie and the executives that report to them.
      Sarah Proudfoot has been an employee of the Group since 2001. She was appointed to the board of the operating subsidiary Truworths Limited in 2016 as Director: Ladieswear Merchandise, was appointed as an executive director of the company in 2019 and has been the Deputy Managing Director of Truworths Limited since 2021. She has a diploma in clothing design and has a wealth of experience in merchandise design, merchandise buying and planning, marketing, store design and supply chain management. Sarah contributes materially to a number of significant strategic issues within the Group and plays a key role in the merchandise function in the Office business in the UK as well as the Truworths corporate social investment programme.
      Mannie Cristaudo has a degree in commerce and originally joined the Group in 1997, serving on the board of the operating subsidiary Truworths Limited as Director: Customer Relationship Management, Marketing and Information Systems from 2000 to 2013. He followed an executive career outside the Group in the credit, personal loans and debt management industry thereafter, until re-joining the Group in 2021 when he was appointed Chief Financial Officer. In March 2022 he was also appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (a title he will now relinquish) given his responsibility for the store operations, credit risk and information technology portfolios.
      The transition process is well underway and at a point where the board feels confident that Sarah Proudfoot and Mannie Cristaudo, together with the 8 Truworths Limited directors and 11 divisional directors, and the 5 directors and divisional directors of Office Holdings Limited, are the right team to take the Group into the new era by retaining the strength of the Group’s unique DNA while at the same time being able to continue to move the businesses forward.
      The appointments of Sarah and Mannie as the Group’s Joint Deputy CEO’s confirm the board’s firm belief in their competence and leadership, and that of the directors and divisional directors who report to them.
      The board has requested Michael to extend the transition process beyond the November 2022 AGM by retaining the position of the Group’s CEO and chairman of the material subsidiary companies, whilst handing over an increasing number of operational responsibilities to Sarah and Mannie and the executives that report to them.
      The ultimate timing of the formal appointment of the CEO to succeed Michael Mark is yet to be decided by the board.

A very unusual request...

The owner of Playwell sports cc, which liquidated in 1998, is looking to trace the following creditors in order to settle outstanding debt.
Reebok distributors (1998)
Billabong distributors (1998)
Davin Scot (Stussy distributors)
Peter Whipp (laser cricket equipment)
Pastel clothing (Adidas clothing distributors)
      S&V will forward replies to this person. Mail to tony@svmag.co.za

They Said It

"I could give you some precious quotes right now but they would probably not be printable." - Ivor Cohen, agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Amen to that.

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

03/10/1969: André van der Merwe, Oasis Tanning, Krugersdorp, Gauteng, SA.
03/10/1969: Robby Stoller, Dangee Corporation, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
04/10/1939: Basil Tannenbaum, XLNT Agencies, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
05/10/1961: Russell Addinall, Studio Eclectica, Lions River, KZN, SA.
06/10/1998: Devan Kriel, Vellie Boutique, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
07/10/1969: Gunnar Halbich, Paul Moeller & Co, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/10/1970: Sharon Bekker, Prima Style, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/10/1943: Willie van Vuuren, Fergom (SA), Southport, KZN, SA.
08/10/1973: Robert O'Connell, Bader SA, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
09/10/1946: Yunus Nagdee, agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/10/1948: Ibrahim Shaikh, Hopewell Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
09/10/1957: RE Badenhorst, Vrystaat Huide & Velle, Kroonstad, Free State, SA.
09/10/1961: Richard Kushlick, Unique Feet, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/10/1971: Phoenix Wang, San Chang Import & Export, Estcourt, KZN, SA.

06/10/2016: Ernie Aaron (b. 21/05/1922), agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
08/10/2011: Johannes Antonius Olde-Olthof (b. 11/10/1928), Tarzan Shoes, Tulbagh, W. Cape, SA.
08/10/2017: Michael Piccione (b. 27/03/1963), KMP Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
09/10/2015: Barry Furber, Furber & Whittle [closed], Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
09/10/2015: Steve Croudace (b. 22/06/1958), Leatherback Footwear, Pietermaritzburg, 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.

Directory entries updated last week

Afritan, Dundee, KZN, SA.
Buckman Africa, Hammarsdale, KZN, SA.
Cohen, Ivor, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Edendale Outfitters, Edendale, Gauteng, SA.
Parie's Men's Shop/Movani, Benoni, Gauteng, SA.
Plum Footwear, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 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/

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (30 September 2022) - The current average hide price remained unchanged at  R4.64/kg from a week ago. The current price is 2.2% higher than the average price a month ago and 26.0% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R4.00 Maximum price: R5.00. 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:
HIS Place Men's Boutique cc, Port Shepstone, KZN, SA. Men's boutique.
HITECH Chemicals cc, Pinetown, KZN, SA. Adhesive supplier.

Classified Adverts

Sewing Machine Mechanic/Technician seeks position

PREMCHAND HARIPERSAD. I have 34 years combined experience as a machinist/mechanic. Currently a qualified sewing machine mechanic. My qualification was obtained at ‘London City of Guilds institute’. During my tenure in the industry I have serviced and fixed high quality machinery that production depended on. Passion and skill for the industry assisted me in obtaining world class experience which I thoroughly enjoy not just as a job but more as my hobby. This allows me to exceed expectations of technical demands and standards ensuring maximum production at all times. Based in Durban CV available +27 78 151 7752 +27 67 047 3952 haripersadpremchand@gmail.com

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: October 10, 2022.

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

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