28 July 2023
South African tanners are taking too short term a view and expecting too high a return, reports Ian Banks, Editor of theSauerReport.
There has been criticism expressed about the state of the finished leather goods market in South Africa. With the current exchange rate being very favourable to exporters, they are often being left behind on both ideas and quality.
One industry expert, who has worked in the field for many years, reports that the Chinese and Taiwanese-owned factories in Kenya and Madagascar were far more competitive than those in South Africa, but there is no reason why they should be.
Much is said about energy load shedding and lack of investment at a government level, but these are also problems being faced by those in other countries.
The main problem is reported to be that too many South African manufacturers take a short-term view and expect too high a return – strong words.
We bring leather, material and fashion businesses together: an opportunity to meet and greet face to face. We bring them from all parts of the world so that they can find fresh partners, discover new customers or suppliers and keep ahead of industry developments.
We organise a number of trade exhibitions which focus on fashion and lifestyle: sectors that are constantly in flux, so visitors and exhibitors alike need to be constantly aware both of the changes around them and those forecast for coming seasons.
