S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.9 No.38, September 18 2023
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Please note I will be in Milan attending fairs this week. I can be reached by email while I am away, but my replies will be delayed.
Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website
One month up, one month down
Alan Shadbolt, member, Castaway Components cc
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA - Business has been down about 20% this year. Sales have been erratic all year with one fair month followed by a bad month. High raw material costs, load shedding and high diesel costs (for generator) are making it impossible to make a profit. We are finding sales down across all our product ranges, I think it is just a lack of disposable income among consumers. Things are picking up towards year end, but no fireworks. We just hope that things will be better next year when interest rate start coming down and the economy starts to improve.
ICLT – last of UK’s leather schools – likely to close
Northampton, UK - The Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT), the final incarnation of the combined University of Northampton’s Leather Department and the National Leathersellers’ College, will probably close soon.
Many of Africa’s top tanners studied at one or other of those institutions.
In a letter to Professor Will Wise, who is research lead at the ICLT, but sent to him as president of the Society of Leather Technologists & Chemists (SLTC), University of Northampton (UON) vice chancellor Professor Anne-Marie Kilday wrote that “a new strategy” would be published in October.
She said the UON had “cross subsidised” the ICLT for several years, but that “it has now entered a period of internal consultation to determine the future of leather education and research against a backdrop of a fall in student demand, economic downturn, and rising energy prices”.
She said there had been “declining applications over a number of years”.
“The number of UK leather producers has been in decline, and the largest producers are now China, Brazil, Russia, India and Italy. This has severely impacted the number of domestic students, and has not delivered commensurate international students.
“In recent years, recruitment has also been heavily impacted by Brexit and the loss of a regular flow of students from Italy. Our research in the discipline is world-leading, but research income is not offsetting the overheads of facilities and operational requirements or the costs of teaching dwindling student numbers.
“In October, we will publish a new strategy that includes a framework to improve and enhance our estate to the benefit of staff, students and the wider community. The legacy of the study of leather at UON is valued, and our sincere hope is that we find a practical solution to retain the subject as we move forward. We must however recognise the implications of continuing to cross-subsidise leather education and research.”
She said that “Fashion and Footwear courses at UON will remain, are unaffected by this consultation, and will adapt to any changes in leather provision”.
In case you missed it!
The September issue of S&V African Leather Magazine
S&V AFRICAN LEATHER MAGAZINE VOL17 No9 September 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
02 Sam Setter’s ‘Pills’
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.
04 Upfront
- Hides & Skins: There are challenges everywhere, writes Cape Product Company director Greg Feinberg.
- Exotics – ostrich leather: Strong demand continues, writes Cape Karoo International MD Francois de Wet.
- Exotics – reptilian leather: Relief as California doesn’t appeal judgement overturning its crocodilian leather trade ban, say American Tanning & Leather director Christy Plott and Le Croc MD Stefan van As.
- Sheepskins: Concentrating on the local market – for now, writes African Merino director Simo Simov.
08 An Eclectic View
- Composting standards a review by H. Procter.
14 Decoding Tanning Science
- Short-term preservation of hides using wheat bran: Review of a paper by Dr Clive Jackson-Moss.
16 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.
17 Sustainable Leather Foundation
- Sustainable Leather Foundation MD Deborah Taylor writes about audits and workshops in Namibia and Tanzania.
18 Fairs & Events
- IULTCS Congress: Virtual portal cancelled, writes IUL chairman Julian Osgood.
18 Trade Statistics
- SA hides, skins and leather trade statistics for July 2023, issued by SARS.
Advertisers in this Issue
Authenticae (03), Evolution Engineering (01), International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) (03), Mimosa (05), Rolfes Leather Division (07), S&V Calendar (06), S&V Directory (09), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (15), Stahl (OFC), Sustainable Leather Foundation (02), TFL (10, 11, 12, 13).
They Said It
"I gave up working Saturdays years ago. Every factory I worked for that worked overtime closed down." - Keith Lyons, Strayz Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
New subscribers last week
Morne, Buyer of Hides & Skins, F+M Hides & Skins T/A Karoo-Ochse, Port Eliabeth, South Africa
Gert Maritz, Leather tec, Rosslyn Tannery, Rosslyn, 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
18/09/1942: Michael Beattie, Tina's Shoes, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
18/09/????: Julie Oates, Julz Shoes, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
19/09/1976: Harunur Rashid Rubel, Splendour Investments Ltd, Manzini, Swaziland.
19/09/1976: Shahid Koor, Urban Mania, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
09/09/1982: Anni Uys, A.P. Groenewald’s, Prieska, N. Cape, SA.
20/09/1947: Patrick ‘Chicken’ Price, agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/09/1952: Tony Cheves, Vexivert, Durban, KZN, SA.
21/09/????: Renate du Rand, Ghia 33 Shoes & Accessories, Knysna, W. Cape, SA.
21/09/1972: Nicholas Gordon, Turbek Trading, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
22/09/1938: Peter Broughton, freelance, formerly Nicole Footwear [closed], Durban, KZN, SA.
22/09/1972: Martin Dedekind, Hlungwana Trading Store, Paulpietersburg, KZN, SA.
23/09/1945: Devan Nayager, Shoe Africa, Durban, KZN, SA.
23/09/1951: Grant Fraser, Claw Boot, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
24/09/1964: Hester Meijer, Berklee Fashion Clothing, East London, E. Cape, SA.
24/09/1977: Ridwaan Moola, Foot Focus, Durban, KZN, SA.
In memoriam this week
18/09/1992: Wally Barkus, agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
18/09/2012: Jimmy Andresen (b. 02/06/1947), agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
18/09/2000: Marthinus Philipus ‘MP’ Theunissen (b. 09/06/1919), Chemical Specialities/Clariant, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/09/1998: PW (Pat) Singh, Palm Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
21/09/1997: Ronnie Venter, agent.
22/09/2005: Simon Power (b. 10/07/1950), Mister Mover, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
23/09/2005: Tony Mossop (b. 30/06/1942), Mossop-Western Leathers, Wellington, W. Cape, SA.
24/09/2003: Werner Fehr, agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
24/09/2021: Stewart Francks (b. 05/02/1947), retired, formerly Jordan Shoes, Cape Town, W. Cape, 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
Castaway Components cc, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Sew Solutions cc, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
Sew Solutions cc, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Exchange rates
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
1. SA Rand (ZAR)/Lesotho Loti (LSL)/Namibian Dollar (NAD)/Swazi Lilangeni (SZL)
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 05/08/2023 |
R20.34 |
R23.54 |
R18.46 |
R2.57 |
| 12/08/2023 |
R20.75 |
R24.08 |
R18.97 |
R2.61 |
| 19/08/2023 |
R20.76 |
R24.25 |
R19.06 |
R2.61 |
| 26/08/2023 |
R20.11 |
R23.43 |
R18.62 |
R2.56 |
| 02/09/2023 |
R20.30 |
R23.73 |
R18.84 |
R2.59 |
| 09/09/2023 |
R20.46 |
R23.84 |
R19.12 |
R2.60 |
| 16/09/2023 |
R20.25 |
R23.52 |
R18.99 |
R2.61 |
2. Botswana Pula (BWP)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 05/08/2023 |
14.71 |
17.03 |
13.35 |
1.86 |
| 12/08/2023 |
14.82 |
17.20 |
13.54 |
1.86 |
| 19/08/2023 |
14.82 |
17.32 |
13.61 |
1.86 |
| 26/08/2023 |
14.57 |
16.98 |
13.50 |
1.85 |
| 02/09/2023 |
14.54 |
16.99 |
13.49 |
1.85 |
| 09/09/2023 |
14.74 |
17.17 |
13.77 |
1.87 |
| 16/09/2023 |
14.56 |
16.91 |
13.66 |
1.88 |
3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 05/08/2023 |
1187.80 |
1374.67 |
1078.26 |
15.41 |
| 12/08/2023 |
1190.28 |
1381.30 |
1088.12 |
150.87 |
| 19/08/2023 |
1176.05 |
1375.14 |
1079.90 |
148.30 |
| 26/08/2023 |
1162.63 |
1353.92 |
1076.75 |
147.94 |
| 02/09/2023 |
1157.71 |
1352.90 |
1074.37 |
147.96 |
| 09/09/2023 |
1161.95 |
1353.19 |
1085.47 |
147.93 |
| 16/09/2023 |
1173.59 |
1361.84 |
1099.53 |
151.14 |
4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 05/08/2023 |
21.39 |
24.75 |
19.41 |
2.70 |
| 12/08/2023 |
21.11 |
24.50 |
19.30 |
2.65 |
| 19/08/2023 |
21.31 |
24.90 |
19.56 |
2.68 |
| 26/08/2023 |
21.34 |
24.86 |
19.76 |
2.71 |
| 02/09/2023 |
21.98 |
25.68 |
20.40 |
2.80 |
| 09/09/2023 |
22.27 |
25.94 |
20.80 |
2.83 |
| 16/09/2023 |
21.99 |
25.52 |
20.60 |
2.83 |
5. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL$)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
CNY ¥ |
Official US$ |
| 05/08/2023 |
398.66 |
461.38 |
50.48 |
4556.16 |
| 12/08/2023 |
398.88 |
459.38 |
49.86 |
4555.75 |
| 19/08/2023 |
394.21 |
460.61 |
49.70 |
4573.77 |
| 26/08/2023 |
390.73 |
455.26 |
49.74 |
4566.79 |
| 02/09/2023 |
389.97 |
455.67 |
49.84 |
4609.85 |
| 09/09/2023 |
387.33 |
451.17 |
49.32 |
4648.38 |
| 16/09/2023 |
385.84 |
448.23 |
49.86 |
4829.68 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (14 September 2023) - The average hide price increased by 9.8% to R3.34/kg from R3.05/kg in the previous week. The current price is 9.3% higher than the average price a month ago and 27.9% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.82 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:
Khokho Atelier, Malkerns, eSwatini. Handbag manufacturer.
Khulanathi Black Ginger, Centurion, Gauteng, SA. PPE reseller.
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: September 25, 2023.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za
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