S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.9 No.34, August 21 2023

Download PDF

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

PPE: So far this year, very good

Rob McCann, member, Treadsafe
New Germany, KZN, SA – In general, our business is up substantially, though I’m not sure where it’s coming from, because many of our customers have downsized their workforces, or even closed.
      I’ve tried to analyse it, and I think we’ve picked up new business since North closed. But I think the main reason is that we offer excellent service, good prices and lots of stock, so we’re doing the basics right. And PPE remains a legal requirement.
      There are no real issues with imported stock. There are some problems with getting local product on time. With PPE, customers want the product off-the-shelf.
      On the footwear side, I’m concerned about the change to the standard, and what that will mean in terms of getting new styles approved. It’s taken the NRCS about 10 years to get existing styles approved, and I think there will be delays and uncertainty about new styles.

Surf: Holidays were good, but…

Stuart Daykin, member, Brightwater cc t/a Rip Curl
Durban, KZN, SA - Trading was good for the holidays but sadly, it’s soft at the moment. Clearing out the last of winter as we start to stock the stores with summer product.
      With the state of the economy and where interest rates are set, you can see the slowdown on the consumer’s pocket. Customers are looking for value-added product with some sort of discount.
      We’re expecting a slow start to the summer and a very strong international season as the foreigners will enjoy the week rand.
      Stock costs have risen as the dollar has gotten stronger. This will be a challenge for the local market to absorb.

Sport: There’ll always be a place for the running shoe specialist

Gordon Howie, member, The Randburg Runner
Randburg, Gauteng, SA - We experienced a boom post-covid, and this year we’re tracking last year – maybe 1% or 2% down – which is still very good. Since I came back here 9 years ago to focus on the 1 shop, business has grown consistently, and in that time, we’ve sold around 30 000 pairs at an average price of R2500.
      We focus on service and advice, and not any particular brand. When people are spending that amount, and looking after their health, they want to trust the person they’re buying from. We sell at the full margin, but we make it our goal to sell the person the correct shoe for him or her. That means there is a bit of a problem, because finding knowledgeable, good sales staff is very important. I have 2 good people, and I’d take on another person if I could.
      A lot of the brands have diversified into lifestyle, and much of their focus is there, so they don’t keep the depth of technical shoes that they used to. We’re also up against the chains and online stores but, as they’re finding in the United States, there’ll always be a place for stores like ours – for the brands, we’re important for their image, for the runner, we’re important for our advice.

SAVA: Programme and speakers for first ‘innovation in PVC’ conference

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA - The Southern African Vinyls Association’s inaugural “Innovation in PVC” conference will take place on Wednesday, 30 August 2023, at Sasol Place in Sandton. The programme and speakers are available here: programme
The conference brings together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss advances and trends in the PVC industry, exploring topics from global and local perspectives on the state of the PVC industry to breakthroughs in raw materials, PVC recycling, and new end-markets for both rigid and flexible PVC.
      Among the dspeakers will be Dr Ned Monroe, President and CEO of the Vinyl Institute and newly elected chairman of the Global Vinyl Council; David Mokomela, Vice President Base Chemicals at Sasol; and Daniel Martinz, Business Development Manager: Specialty Vinyls at INEOS Inovyn who will deliver a presentation on the winners of last year’s INOVYN Awards which recognises those at the forefront of innovation with vinyl in Europe.
      “Each of the speakers will bring a unique perspective and wealth of knowledge to the conference, promising an enlightening and engaging experience for attendees,” says Monique Holtzhausen, CEO of SAVA. “We believe that this conference will offer an unparalleled opportunity for networking, learning, and inspiration and that it will serve as a catalyst for innovation in the PVC industry - driving progress and promoting sustainable practices. By facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration, the event aims to empower attendees with valuable insights and inspire them to take bold steps towards a thriving future for PVC”.
Local PVC industry players, recyclers, and manufacturers will showcase their products and services in an exhibition area.
The sponsors include Sasol, Alpha Plast, Continental Compounders, Isegen SA, and Sun Ace SA. Their commitment to the industry and dedication to advancing innovation in PVC is commendable.
      “We look forward to welcoming speakers, exhibitors and attendees from around the country and the world to engage in fruitful discussions, forge connections, and drive innovation in the South African PVC sector,” Monique concludes.

Registrations are still open and tickets for the conference can be purchased online at https://app.glueup.com/event/innovation-in-pvc-conference-77629/. SAVA members pay R2000 + VAT, while non-SAVA members can join the event for R2500 + VAT. The attendance fee covers coffee and tea breaks, lunch, the cocktail function, and conference materials.

For more information, please visit www.savinyls.co.za or email Conference@savinyls.co.za or CEO@savinyls.co.za

In case you missed it!

The August issue of S&V African Leather Magazine

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ONLINE

S&V AFRICAN LEATHER MAGAZINE VOL17 No8 August 2023

IN THIS ISSUE:

02 Sam Setter’s ‘Pills’
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.

04 Upfront
- Gloving: Pittards under administration and looking for buyer – UK-based business includes Ethiopian tannery and leather goods manufacturing plant.
- Footwear & Leather Goods: The orders have come in; payments are still something of a problem, writes Fusion Leather World’s Denzil Spolander.
- Footwear & Leather Goods: Exchange rate has made imports very difficult, writes Alan D. Jackson’s Morgan Naidoo.
- Ostrich: Leather and feathers performing well, but raw meat export ban still a dark cloud, says SAOBC’s Piet Kleyn.
- SLTC UK: The parent body responds to a report by the SA Section and encourages local members to engage with it.


08 An Eclectic View
- Meat 2023 update – Regenerative farming practices are an exciting development for the future, writes H. Procter.

15 Sustainable Leather Foundation
- Budget now for improvement – legislation is coming, writes Sustainable Leather Foundation MD Deborah Taylor.

16 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.

17 Fairs & Events
- IULTCS Congress: Travel advice for anyone attending, by IUL chairman Julian Osgood.
- IULTCS Congress: Professor Yujia Xu named as Heidemann lecture presenter, by IUL chairman Julian Osgood.

18 Trade Statistics
- SA hides, skins and leather trade statistics for June 2023, issued by SARS.



Advertisers in this Issue
Authenticae (03), Evolution Engineering (01), International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) (05), Mimosa (07), Rolfes Leather Division (09), S&V Calendar (10), S&V Directory (18), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (15), Stahl (OFC), Sustainable Leather Foundation (02), TFL (11, 12, 13, 14).

They Said It

"I’m here because I got an invitation and it’s a free meal." - Michael Lawrence, National Clothing Retail Federation (NCRF) of SA executive director, at the SAFLEC dinner last week. In fact, encouraging chains to commercially and sustainably source more SA-made footwear for their stores locally and in other African countries is a SAFLEC strategy which the NCRF supports, so he was there as a VIP. He corrected ‘VIP’ to ‘friend’, but I’m sure SAFLEC would be happy with VIP.

New subscribers last week

Rob Riedlinger, Marketing, Haesloop, Pinetown, South Africa

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

Birthdays this week

21/08/1949: Brian Pollock, retired, formerly Jordan Shoes, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
21/08/1952: Wayne Little, Matas Import, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
21/08/1974: Lisa Rheeder, Acol Chemical, Harare, Zimbabwe.
22/08/1936: Norma Varley, retired, formerly Edcon (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
22/08/1945: Richard Hirsch, Richardson's Shoes, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
22/08/1954: Jax Snyman, The Sweat Shop, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
23/08/1947: Leon Volschenk, Leo D’ Mar, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
23/08/1949: David Sheppard, D.P. Sheppard & Co, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
23/08/1965: Glyn Giani, the Footwear Design & Technology School of SA, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
23/08/1971: Raymond Schutte, agent, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
24/08/1940: Fred Carpel, agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
24/08/1944: Rolf Oltmanns, retired, PMC Group, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
24/08/1957: Clive Wood, Crown Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
24/08/1961: Ulf Oehl, Stahl SA, Midrand, Gauteng, SA.
25/08/1957: Judy Ambrose, left the industry, formerly agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/1970: Imran Mahomed, Mr American, Malelane, Mpumalanga, SA.
25/08/1972: Andrew Fenwick, Saddler Belts & Leathercraft, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/1978: Adrian Ramsamy, Novita Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/1980: Yvonne Speirs, emigrated, formerly Fusion Leather, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/19??: Anthea Ball, Adidas, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
26/08/1971: Sadia Edries, Rizzo Sales, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
27/08/1945: Krish Gangiah, Impact Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
27/08/1962: Vidrik Thurling, Thurling Investments, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.

In memoriam this week

21/08/????: Edward Jones-Davies (b. 10/06/1925), BUSM [closed], Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
21/08/2021: Imraan Kharva (b. 17/01/1973), Americanos, Ladysmith, KZN, SA.
21/09/1993: Bhagwandas Dayaram Ambaram (b. 15/07/1943), JFK Trading, Durban, KZN, SA.
22/08/2006: Bob Butler (b. 01/02/1928), Burton’s Shoes, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
23/08/1950: Andy Thuysman, In Step Leather Craft, Jeffrey's Bay, E. Cape, SA.
23/08/2022: Sakkie van der Vyver (b. 02/03/1945), Adidas, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
27/08/2006: Keith Barkus (b. 08/04/1954), agent, 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.

Directory entries updated last week

Performance Brands (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W. Cape, 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 (18 August 2023) - The current average hide price decreased by 0.1% remaining at R3.06/kg for this current week. The current price is 9.1% lower than the average price a month ago and 25.5% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.75 Maximum price: R4.50. 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, and Zama Sangweni, 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:

Kayalami Pro Cycles, Alberton, Gauteng, SA. Cycle shop.
Kaytex Belts, Centurion, Gauteng, SA. Belt manufacturer.

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: August 28, 2023.

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

Our website www.svmag.co.za