BFA News - REPORT FROM RICHARD KOTTLER, CEO

Published: 24 October, 2011

There is a lot going on with the British Footwear Association – your trade body –

and I list below some of the many initiatives we have organised for you.

Website: We have refreshed and updated our website so please look at it and let us have

your comments. Amongst other things we have changed our domain name to

www.britishfootwearassociation.co.uk - so it does what it says on the tin

and endorses the “Britishness” of it all, as well as maximising the Search Engine

Optimisation capability.

Foundation Course in Footwear Technology

You may have seen in the Press the launch of the second year of this course and

all relevant companies will be receiving the new syllabus and details in the next

few days.

Business Partners

We have agreed arrangements with some impressive businesses that will help

you save money and work more effectively.

Distribution

In position now are two year deals with DHL Express for all overseas

distribution and City Link for domestic freight. Very attractive rates, excellent

customer service and a desire to perform well for all BFA members.

Credit and Financial Reporting – Credit Assist have already convinced a

number of member companies that they can provide an informed, speedy and

cost effective service and are determined to become the lead operators in this

field for the footwear industry.

Cost and Purchase Management- we have trialled Expense Reduction

Analysts (ERA) with some BFA companies and savings of up to 20% have been

achieved. They are one of the largest and certainly the most professional of the

players in this area and we have no hesitation is recommending their services to

all our companies.

In all these cases, more details are on our website and we will be marketing

each one to you over the next months. USE THEM AND SAVE YOURSELF

MONEY!

Associate Members

The BFA spends a great deal of time working with developing and emerging

companies and brands and we have decided to formalise these arrangements by

creating a new level of membership – Associate Member. These companies do

not need the full range of BFA services but do need the advice and

encouragement from our Project Team of industry experts that can help on

sourcing, financial matters, marketing and brand development and other

specialist areas.

We hope by working with these “young” companies they will want to progress to

Full Membership in due course.

China

Many members already are active in selling to China – the most powerful and

rapidly expanding export opportunity around. The BFA has joined the China-

Britain Business Council and has arranged a seminar specifically for the footwear

industry and BFA members only.

This will provide an inside and experienced view on how best to approach this

market and in addition to China experts from the Council, we will hear from

representatives from some of the larger BFA companies that have been

successful in that country.

The Seminar will be held in London on the morning of December 6 and is FREE

to all members. To book a place, please email Elaine Davies on

elaine.davies@britishfootwearassociation.co.uk Please do so quickly as

places are limited.

Good News

UKFT Export Awards -

Congratulations to member company Butterfly Twist on winning the New

Exporter Award sponsored by DHL Express. Congratulations also to Kat Maconie

who was nominated for the same Award and for the Designer Business Award.

Footwear Friends Annual Awards

Congratulations to BFA member CocoRose, winners of the FN Platform at Magic

Award.

John Lewis – in co-operation with the BFA, organised a Buyers Showcase for a

number of companies producing in the UK. BFA members shortlisted were Daisy

Roots, DB Shoes, Sanders & Sanders, NPS (Shoes), Cheaney Shoes and Drapers

of Glastonbury.

Export News - South Korea.

UKTI will be running the third British Lifestyle mission, this time to South Korea

19 - 23 March 2012. With the recent introduction of the EU/ South Korea Free

Trade Agreement Korea offers an excellent opportunity for top end British

companies to sell into this dynamic and affluent market. The mission will

comprise a showcase at the Ambassador's residence, Embassy briefing,

familiarisation retail tour, press conference and 1-2-1 meetings. As before, the

mission is open to high-end consumer goods companies. For more details and

an application form please email:

Footwear & Leather Industries Annual Health & Safety

Conference 23 November 2011.

Our 2011 Conference includes a variety of professional speakers covering

occupational health issues; permits to work; a REACH update and very special

presentations on safe systems of work. This event will take place at SATRA’s

conference facilities in Kettering and the delegate fee is £30 per head

including refreshments and lunch – outstanding value for an industry

specific conference. Closing date for bookings: 11 November.

elaine.davies@britishfootwearassociation.co.uk

Bookmark this

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'FITTING' NEWS' - Summer 2012 - Another Warm Welcome from the President – Jan Parry
In my last column I was hoping for a hot – or even warm summer – not much luck so far I am sad to say, and as the last edition was just prior to MODA, I was also hoping to meet more of our members – fortunately I had better luck on that score! Thank you so much for coming up to say ‘hello’ to my husband Francis and I, it was lovely to meet you and chat about trade. We have since had our AGM and I embark on my second year in office – where does the time go? The Minutes of the meeting are available from our Secretary, so if you want to know how the SSF has performed over the past year, do request a copy. My address at the meeting was as follows:
Padders For Kids
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JEFFREY CAMPBELL UK
Laceys Footwear are delighted to announce they are now the official UK distributor for Jeffrey Campbell, the fastest moving brand in footwear that everyone is talking about. The meteoric rise of the Jeffrey Campbell brand in the las 10 years is nothing short of amazing, it is currently available in 49 countries and rising. Jeffrey Campbell styles are being worn by pop stars and movie stars including Jessica Alba, Rihanna, Sarah Harding and Jessie J most recently on the VOICE and the Graham Norton show.
Snuguns, Gripping the ‘Soles’ of the Nation
Snuguns are delighted to announce the launch of Grippa Socks. Supportive non-slip socks that protect, fit and support growing feet. Designed along the guidelines set out in “feet for life” by The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, Snuguns Grippa Socks provide great grip with maximum comfort and flexibility. Grippa Socks help with the care of babies and children’s feet during crucial growing stages, from six months to four years!