SAFLEC Newsletter March 2022

EFLC in collaboration with SAFLEC hosted the Launch of the South African Footwear Foundation Design & Manufacture Course Webinar on 14^th March 2022. This course was specifically developed for industry by Russell Addinall and funded through EFLC. Russell commenced working in the footwear industry in 1981 and has worked in product development and design with various manufacturers. He comes highly recommended by the vice chairman of SAFLEC. He has experience with all types of footwear design, construction and, technical pattern engineering of these constructions for the production environment using 2D and 3D CAD systems.

Russell Addinall

The webinar was well attended by 89 participants across the spectrum of small, medium and large companies. Participants included members and 30 students falling under the 100% black youth category. This course will be broken down into mini-modules that will be presented to the industry after July 2022. The intent is to ensure that export quality design is supported.

EFLC/SAFLEC in collaboration with Productivity SA hosted a Production Awareness & Lean Principles Webinar on 15th March 2022. This was an important seminar in that it helps companies efficiencies for export. The webinar was facilitated by Zwakala Mninawa, Senior Productivity Advisor at Productivity SA. The stakeholder relationship has benefited manufacturers in various ways. The agreement to work together was negotiated by SAFLEC Executive Director 7 years ago and has since assisted over 50 companies.

VELDSKOEN and DHL Collaborate……Proud to be South African

The logistics giant and the footwear brand have come together to launch a handcrafted limited edition of 365 pairs, dubbed ‘Dear’ Everyone’, to celebrate everyone and everyone. Each pair of the DHL x Veldskoen collaboration is handcrafted in Durban by 66 pairs of hands in total and features a mural on the side panels by the local artist Reggie Kumalo, as well as subtle South African references. “DHL has afforded Veldskoen a moment to show the globe the talent, creativity, and manufacturing ability that Africa has to offer. We have produced a high fashion shoe, while every stage of the development process and every link in the supply chain has been carefully considered from a sustainability point of view”, explained Veldskoen chief executive, Nick Dreyer.

Over the years, the logistics group has released several fashion collaborations, such as the T-shirt with Vetements, which debuted on the Paris catwalk in 2016, or the limited-edition sneaker with Budapester to celebrate its 50^th anniversary. Nonetheless, this is the company’s first collaboration with an African brand.

Following our successful fashion collaborations across Europe, North America and Asia, we wanted to find an African brand for our next exciting collaboration”, stated Megan Collinicos, Vice President of Marketing at DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa. “Veldskoen created a modern take on an iconic South African shoe by adding a pop of colour to the soles and laces and has built up an impressive customer base across the globe since their inception in 2016. And we’ve been working with the team at Veldskoen over the past few months to reinvent the traditional Veldskoen yet again”, she added.

The pairs will be available via a drop lottery system, so, whoever wishes a ‘Dear Everyone’ model must register until the 15^th of April at DHLxVeldskoen.com.

As the world opened up to physical trade shows, SAFLEC took a step to venture out to attending the APLF. APLF a full supply chain trade show normally held in Hongkong had its first showing in Dubai this March. With over 500 exhibitors and over 30 000 visitors from around the world, the event boasted 20 Country National Pavilions with India taking more than 40 stands. New entrants Zimbabwe and Uzbekistan took over 10 exhibitor Pavilions. 4 South African Exotic and bovine leather suppliers, exhibited, fully self-funded. Due to the still closed trade show funding support from the dtic more manufacturers through SAFLEC initiatives were restricted.

This has been the first physical trade event attended by South Africa, in just over two years. The Dubai visit was to attend APLF and to attend the last leg of the Dubai 2020 Expo. It was also, very much so that we could go out and assess how the world had changed, how trade shows had changed and what global retail had in their stores. New world rules and regulations included the ask, that one should be fully vaccinated including the PCR test requirement to enter certain public places. Wearing a mask was a requirement. It was evident from this trade event that the world was back on track as far as physical trade shows, as most countries went into full swing promotion to be noticed by buyers and that South Africa needed to move fast before the new emerging competitors got a head start.

The Dubai 2020, a 6-month trade show ended on 31 March this year. This hybrid virtual and physical event hosted 31 SAFLEC members with some products on physical display. The South African Pavilion has seen over 300 000 visitors through its stand. This world-class, first in the world exhibition, was strategically aimed at encouraging trade. Several SAFLEC members have engaged in virtual b2b meetings with business potential. But as the world changes, it will be interesting to see how trends and global buying habits change and how long it will take for a b2b meeting to translate into orders, especially with the massive logistics problems that have become a norm and delays in raw material supplies as well as rising costs. Turnaround times of samples for the international market also remain a challenge.

Our social media platforms have been hitting record breaking hits. Our last post obtained over 160 000 likes, boosted to followers in the rest of Africa, Europe, Middle East and North America. We encourage you to take advantage of our efforts to promote you.

Send us content to push your company and brands. Also like, follow, share and forward our links to your contact lists. Let’s build the following globally so that we can show the world our capability.

CTFLGP Export Funding Webinar:
6^th April 2022
ARSUTORIA One Week Footwear & Handbag Workshop (Durban):
23 -27 May 2022
ARSUTORIA One Day Footwear & Handbag Workshop (Cape Town): 30 May 2022
ECIC Export Credit Insurance Webinar: 11^th May 2022