S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.11, March 17 2025
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News (all bad this week, sorry)
AVI closes Green Cross
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – JSE-listed AVI Ltd is closing the remaining Green Cross stores, and winding down the wholesale operation, 13 years and probably around R500m after buying the business. A report will follow in the March issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods, out on Wednesday.
P. Bloch & Co. closing
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – P. Bloch & Co. (Pty) Ltd and its sister company, General Leather & Saddlery (Pty) Ltd, have ceased trading and all stock and machinery will go to auction on 07 May. According to its website, the business was founded in 1929 by Percy Bloch. The business was being run by his grandson, Carey Bloch.
‘Chains need to look at smaller factories’
Anonymous manufacturer.
Pinetown, KZN, SA – So far, this year is worse than last year – in fact, the worst I’ve known.
I think part of the problem is that chains only look at bigger factories, but we specialise in women’s and girls’ synthetic upper sandals and shoes, and we have the capacity to make 2 500 pairs a day, reliably and on time.
It also worries me that a couple of factories have closed, but I don’t see their production being taken up by others.
I hope this situation improves.
Safety conference cancellation
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – The Southern African Protective Equipment Marketing Association (SAPEMA), has postponed its planned conference on the personal protective industry which was to have been held in Johannesburg in April. It is planned to hold it in March 2026, on dates to be announced.
Death notices
Durban, KZN, SA – Howard Patterson-Roberts, former footwear agent, died on 08 March, aged 73. He was the younger brother of former footwear manufacturer Doug Patterson-Roberts, who died almost a year ago. An obituary will follow in the March issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods.
Durban, KZN, SA – Tony Jelinski, former owner of Everflex, died last night of a heart attack. An obituary will follow in the April issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods.
In case you missed it!
The March issue of S&V African Leather Magazine
S&V African Leather Magazine Vol19 No3 March 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Sam Setter’s ‘Pills’
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.
- A response from Stuart Cranfield to the last issue’s Pill.
05 Upfront
- When there are so many real issues to be concerned about, why pick on an industry which does much more good than harm, asks Le Croc’s Stefan van As.
- New Zimbabwean tannery seeks ‘retired adviser’.
07 An Eclectic View
- Regenerative Agriculture: Tanners should try to source their hides from farmers who are practising sustainable farming techniques, says correspondent H. Procter.
10 Leather, Its Image & Its Place In The World
- The subjective nature of auditing is something which auditors need to work together to resolve, says the Sustainable Leather Foundation’s Deborah Taylor.
14 Decoding Tanning Science
- The use of copper nanoparticles to prevent bacterial and fungal growth on leather, by Dr Clive Jackson-Moss.
15 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.
17 Agriculture
- Africa Agri Tech Conference and Exhibition: ‘All problems have a common solution – technology’.
- The Department of Agriculture seeks King’s support in FMD campaign.
- Update on outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in KZN.
Advertisers in this Issue
All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) (OFC), Authenticae (09), International School of Tanning Technology (ISTT) (12), Mimosa (06), Rolfes Leather Division (02), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (14), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (11), Sustainable Leather Foundation (04)
They Said It
"It’s sad how fast time flies. I remember Holger Stutz from my Michelle footwear days, now I’m 20 years at Mr Price this year and have been in the footwear industry since 1991!! I wish time would slow down and my hair would grow faster!" - Tony Vaubell, Mr Price Group, Durban, 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
New subscribers last week
Akesh Jagpath, Designer, Angel footwear, Isipingo, Durban, South Africa
Samantha, Owner, Uniforms of George, George, Western Cape, South Africa
Refilwe Moloto, Founder, Mint Mansion, Centurion, South Africa
Jessica van Dyk, Director of operations, Leathercraft Winklmayr (Pty) Ltd, Randburg, South Africa
Birthdays this week
18/03/1948: Stan Rabinowitz, Footwear Direct [closed], Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
18/03/1980: Rory Ramsay, Feetfirst Distribution, Durban, KZN, SA.
19/03/1959: Deon van Rensburg, Wayne Plastics, Krugersdorp, Gauteng, SA.
19/03/1972: Morné Pienaar, Deco Memories, Knysna, W. Cape, SA.
20/03/1982: Ashley Kisten Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA.
21/03/1970: Shuhui Liu, Chang Tong Trading, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
21/03/1971: Jane Moodley, Dangee Carken, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
23/03/1965: Nilesh Naran, Curtolo Shoes, Laudium, Gauteng, SA.
In memoriam this week
17/03/1995: Kees Pulles, Futura Footwear [now Bata SA], Loskop, KZN, SA.
18/03/2024: Craig Garvie (b. 28/09/1968), African Boomerang Holdings, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
19/03/2023: Bob Brown (b. 01/11/1934), Crown Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
21/03/2019: John Drier, United-Fram, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 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
Baptista, Keith, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
Grand Uniforms cc, Durban, KZN, SA.
Honeyriver, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
House of Sandals, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Leatherite International (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
Sonpra Superstore, Polokwane/Pietersburg, Limpopo, 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 ¥ |
| 04/01/2025 |
R19.31 |
R23.26 |
R18.72 |
R2.55 |
| 11/01/2025 |
R19.57 |
R23.32 |
R19.10 |
R2.60 |
| 18/01/2025 |
R19.25 |
R22.81 |
R18.73 |
R2.55 |
| 25/01/2025 |
R19.30 |
R22.95 |
R18.39 |
R2.53 |
| 01/02/2025 |
R19.35 |
R23.13 |
R18.67 |
R 2.57 |
| 08/02/2025 |
R19.01 |
R22.83 |
R18.40 |
R 2.52 |
| 15/02/2025 |
R19.25 |
R22.09 |
R18.35 |
R 2.52 |
| 22/02/2025 |
R19.20 |
R23.19 |
R18.35 |
R 2.53 |
| 01/03/2025 |
R19.38 |
R23.50 |
R18.68 |
R 2.56 |
| 08/03/2025 |
R19.73 |
R23.53 |
R18.22 |
R 2.52 |
| 15/03/2025 |
R19.78 |
R23.49 |
R18.16 |
R 2.51 |
2. Botswana Pula
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 04/01/2025 |
14.39 |
17.33 |
13.95 |
1.90 |
| 11/01/2025 |
14.25 |
16.98 |
13.91 |
1.89 |
| 18/01/2025 |
14.39 |
17.05 |
14.00 |
1.91 |
| 25/01/2025 |
14.50 |
17.24 |
13.82 |
1.90 |
| 01/02/2025 |
14.41 |
17.23 |
13.90 |
1.91 |
| 08/02/2025 |
14.50 |
17.42 |
14.04 |
1.92 |
| 15/02/2025 |
14.51 |
17.41 |
13.83 |
1.90 |
| 22/02/2025 |
14.40 |
17.40 |
13.77 |
1.89 |
| 01/03/2025 |
14.29 |
17.32 |
13.77 |
1.89 |
| 08/03/2025 |
14.78 |
17.63 |
13.65 |
1.88 |
| 15/03/2025 |
14.83 |
17.62 |
13.62 |
1.88 |
3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)
Source: https://www.rbm.mw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 04/01/2025 |
1816.63 |
2191.92 |
1717.02 |
94.59 |
| 11/01/2025 |
1819.29 |
2171.58 |
1717.02 |
93.34 |
| 18/01/2025 |
1820.17 |
2159.73 |
1717.02 |
94.18 |
| 25/01/2025 |
1848.47 |
2193.86 |
1717.02 |
96.09 |
| 01/02/2025 |
1837.33 |
2196.51 |
1717.02 |
95.29 |
| 08/02/2025 |
1835.03 |
2197.40 |
1717.02 |
95.78 |
| 15/02/2025 |
1848.82 |
2119.86 |
1717.02 |
95.70 |
| 22/02/2025 |
1854.83 |
2238.78 |
1717.02 |
96.30 |
| 01/03/2025 |
1836.44 |
2224.46 |
1717.02 |
95.68 |
| 08/03/2025 |
1912.31 |
2278.93 |
1717.02 |
97.50 |
| 15/03/2025 |
1917.62 |
2286.82 |
1717.02 |
96.82 |
4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)
Source: https://www.boz.zm/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 04/01/2025 |
28.75 |
34.65 |
27.93 |
1.48 |
| 11/01/2025 |
28.66 |
34.25 |
27.81 |
1.46 |
| 18/01/2025 |
28.64 |
33.90 |
27.82 |
1.48 |
| 25/01/2025 |
29.15 |
34.54 |
27.84 |
1.51 |
| 01/02/2025 |
29.09 |
34.80 |
28.01 |
1.30 |
| 08/02/2025 |
29.13 |
34.94 |
28.07 |
1.52 |
| 15/02/2025 |
29.47 |
35.42 |
28.13 |
1.53 |
| 22/02/2025 |
29.58 |
35.73 |
28.26 |
1.53 |
| 01/03/2025 |
29.67 |
35.91 |
28.51 |
1.54 |
| 08/03/2025 |
31.07 |
36.95 |
28.59 |
1.57 |
| 15/03/2025 |
31.17 |
37.02 |
28.61 |
1.57 |
5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US$ |
ZAR |
| 04/01/2025 |
ZIG 26.52 |
ZIG 32.01 |
ZIG 25.82 |
ZIG 0.72 |
| 11/01/2025 |
ZIG 26.83 |
ZIG 32.03 |
ZIG 26.05 |
ZIG 0.72 |
| 18/01/2025 |
ZIG 27.03 |
ZIG 32.09 |
ZIG 26.26 |
ZIG 0.71 |
| 25/01/2025 |
ZIG 27.47 |
ZIG 32.58 |
ZIG 26.30 |
ZIG 0.70 |
| 01/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.38 |
ZIG 32.74 |
ZIG 26.36 |
ZIG 0.70 |
| 08/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.40 |
ZIG 32.81 |
ZIG 26.40 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 15/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.62 |
ZIG 33.18 |
ZIG 26.43 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 22/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.60 |
ZIG 33.33 |
ZIG 26.46 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 01/03/2025 |
ZIG 27.59 |
ZIG 33.42 |
ZIG 26.56 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 08/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.79 |
ZIG 34.32 |
ZIG 26.64 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 15/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.91 |
ZIG 34.51 |
ZIG 26.66 |
ZIG 0.68 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (14 March 2024) – The current average hide price increased by 0.92% to R2.799/kg from R2.774/kg a week ago. The current price is 0.18% higher than the average price a month ago and was 14.7% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.75 Maximum price: R3.00. 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, 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:
Graylor, East London, E. Cape, SA. Workwear and promotional clothing.
Grindlay Fabrics (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Textile supplier.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
TFG signs franchise agreement with JD Sports Fashion Plc
Wage negotiations: First round dates
Trading conditions – feedback from agents: Some areas hurting more than others
Death notice: Mike Sayer of BEC Sales
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.12, March 18 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Virus Shutdown: Factories "Not affected yet"
Retail so far this year
Stock Exchange News Service (SENS)
- AVI interim results, December 2019
- Pepkor - trading and the impact of the Coronavirus
- HomeChoice final results December 2019: Profile data summary
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.11, March 16, 2020
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: Monday 24 March, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 21 February.
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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