NEWS BFA News- Update from Richard Kottler When the BFA was formed some 116 years ago


its remit was to represent the footwear manufacturing industry. Today we still represent the 25-30 remaining manufacturers in the UK but we also represent the importers, numerically the largest group. The third group is the brands - some well established, plus those up and coming ones trying to find their way in this complicated world of business we find ourselves in.


Over the past four years, I am pleased to say that the BFA has more than doubled its membership base to reflect this new world. We are a not-for-profit organisation and every penny we generate goes back into the industry.


The BFA has produced four important initiatives • Training • Export help • Promoting ‘Made in Britain’ • The mentoring programme for SMEs


Training. In 2010 we created the BFA


Foundation Course in Footwear Technology which in its first year had 23 trainees from ten different companies completing a ten-module syllabus.


This year to date, we have a further 40+


trainees nominated by eleven companies signed up for a course that will help address the most critical skills shortage in this industry - that of technical managers. The important thing about this course it that it was created by the industry for the industry with considerable input from across the industry.


The BFA believes in putting its money where its mouth is, and has to date invested over £30,000 in development costs for this programme .


The BFA has also contributed £15,000 over


the past three years to our Training Support Programme distributing matched funding to member companies planning footwear-specific training.


Continuing with our initiatives, the BFA has a


well deserved reputation for providing informed and energetic help to firms wanting to export. Despite savage cuts in export funding by the Government, we continue to win promotional and exhibiting money to ensure that anyone who wants to show at the major exhibitions can, wherever possible,


receive financial support. The biggest gap though is for quality ladies But just to put available support into context,


five years ago the Government gave £210k in grants to this industry. In 2012 it is likely to be a mere £120k. Conversely, this year alone, the BFA will spend upwards of £150k providing support to our exporting members.


8 • FOOTWEAR TODAY •MAY 2012


manufacture. With the shining exception of Gina who have just moved into a new, well equipped factory in London, there are virtually no factories capable of filling the pent up demand from our designer brands who would love to make their product here and not abroad.


British Footwear Association Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 1933 229005 Web: www.britishfootwearassociation.co.uk


Richard Kottler CEO BF


A The BFA has also recently joined the China


Britain Business Council in recognition of the major importance of this market for UK companies. We have already held one seminar for members and plan more events in the future.


The third BFA initiative is to highlight and


support the concept of Made in Britain. It is a well know fact that the footwear manufacturing sector has been declining over many years. In 1965, there were 110,000 people employed in it making 200 m pairs. Now there are 4,500 people making 5m pairs.


However, these bald statistics hide another


story. All producers are currently working flat out to satisfy the increasing demand for British made goods and the Northamptonshire factories continue to set the benchmark for high grade men's welted products.


It is also interesting to note that the two


biggest manufacturers of shoes in the UK are directly competing with so called low-cost countries and succeeding.


Both Hotter, which accounts for nearly one in


three of all shoes made in the UK and New Balance, are reaping the rewards from making considerable investment in equipment and staff.


To date we have been able to marriage-broke


introductions between at least fifteen brands wanting the coveted Made in Britain label and six factories keen to make quality product for others.


Now all this is not going to lead to a


substantial renaissance of the British footwear manufacturing industry but it will help; jobs will be created and others should benefit as well.


Small brands will struggle but every year, 3-5 will make it and get to the magical £1 m sales, by being well funded and run by owners who understand that beautiful products have to be linked to a strong set of sales and marketing skills.


Undoubtedly the industry is in good hands and


will continue to evolve to meet market demands. It will never be complacent and will always be resourceful. And the BFA will continue to step up to the plate to support it.


So what about the future of the industry?


Consumer consumption of shoes remains high, if static, at over £7bn a year with the great majority of that footwear being supplied by UK companies.


Manufacturing in the UK will grow steadily but


will always be small – unless of course there is a miraculous government intervention.


Importing will experience a shake out as


retailers close and Internet trading becomes even more important than its present market share of 12% - but importing will remain the driving force in the industry


, The last key initiative we have is to mentor "


young" businesses starting up. We receive at least one enquiry a week from new companies - usually recently graduated designers - wanting advice on how to crack the code of success.


Some we do the kind thing and pour a bucket


of cold water over them to avoid them setting off on a a badly considered, uncommercial route.


Others however deserve a lot of our time - so


we listen to their plans, steer them in the right direction and introduce them to people who can make a difference.


In response to this demand, we have


established a project team of experts covering sourcing, brand development, financial advice and sales and marketing.


www.footweartoday.co.uk


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