NEWS
Footwear students at the University of Northampton benefit from new high quality workshop
BFA and the FDRA Form Historic Trans-Atlantic Footwear Alliance
Today, the British Footwear Association (BFA) and the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) announced the establishment of a strategic partnership designed to enhance the cooperation of footwear companies in the U.S. and in the U.K. As part of the partnership, the two associations will share marketplace data and regulatory and customs insights keeping global footwear companies better informed. They are also currently working on ways they can combine efforts to enhance social compliance at footwear factories around the globe.
“Our new alliance with FDRA will greatly help British footwear companies
better understand the U.S. market, as well as the cumbersome import rules and product safety regulations impacting U.K. companies,” said Chairman of the BFA and Commercial Chief Executive and Joint Chairman of the Sutton Group Michael Kelly. We will likewise provide similar information to American footwear companies seeking to grow their market share in the U.K. As the leading footwear trade associations in our respective countries this is a natural fit and we are very excited.”
“In an effort to enhance the knowledge and services our two associations
Photo: Professor Nick Petford, University of Northampton Vice Chancellor, Dr Julie King, Subject Leader for Fashion and Textiles, John Miller, Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers and Helen Kirkum, recent graduate of the University.
Budding shoe designers at the University of Northampton will now have a greater opportunity to produce their footwear creations in a brand-new high quality workshop. The new facility will now provide footwear students with additional space
for their work and complements the existing studios and range of workshops already at Avenue Campus. The workshop was officially opened by John Miller, Clerk to the Worshipful
Company of Cordwainers on 19 March. Many high profile names in the footwear industry also attended such as John Saunders, Chief Executive of the British Footwear Association, Mark Jeffery and Guy West from designer label Jeffery West and Helen Kirkum, Footwear and Accessories Designer and recent graduate of the University. The opening of the new facility also coincides with the launch of the
standalone BA (Hons) Footwear and Accessories programme, which will provide students with the creative skills and technical knowledge to footwear design. This also gives footwear students the opportunity to use the facilities in the University’s Institute for Creative Leather Technologies. Northamptonshire’s shoe and boot making heritage dates back almost
900 years as almost every town and village in the county has had a successful specific footwear industry, for example Long Buckby was famous for itslong boots and Wollaston for its work boots. Over 25 manufacturers are still operating within Northamptonshire, with big names, such as Dr Martens, Church & Co, and Crockett & Jones. The University has strong connections with the industry and often hosts regular guest speakers, as well as supporting the students with internships and work placements. John Miller, Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, said in his
speech: “It’s a very exciting time for the University of Northampton and our company has been associated with the University ever since its footwear course commenced and we have been offering scholarships and bursaries since then. We’ve always felt there’s great opportunity for Northampton as the centre of the shoe industry and the University has the ability to build on the pedigree of the footwear industry that’s based here – Northampton is where it all happens and that’s a great advantage for its students.” Dr Julie King, Subject Leader for Fashion and Textiles at the University of
Northampton, commented: “We are all delighted to have such an incredible resource now available to our footwear and accessories students. It will help them become more technically proficient than ever before and builds on the amazing footwear heritage of Northampton.”
6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • MAY 2015
provide the industry, FDRA and the BFA have formed this very important partnership,” said FDRA Chairman and R.G. Barry Brands President and CEO Greg Tunney. “This is a great step towards having a more united effort to improve social compliance standards in addition to a range of other issues we can work on together.”
“In terms of buying power, the American footwear market is the largest in
the world and our members want to sell more to the U.S. British consumers also want more product choices and are already buying American brands. We are eager to continue to develop this relationship and deliver some great results for companies on both sides of the
Atlantic.US and UK footwear companies face the same challenges in terms of market access, sourcing and increasing product regulations. There are enormous benefits from developing a closer working relationship with FDRA, and this will broaden the international co-operation we already have with European footwear associations through our membership of the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC).” said BFA Chief Executive John Saunders.
“FDRA makes every effort to collaborate with footwear associations
across the globe,” said FDRA President Matt Priest. “The benefits of a strategic partnership with John and the BFA team are self-evident, footwear customs, product safety, and compliance rules are changing around the world and together we can better help our respective members. In addition, this is the first step to enhance our collaborative efforts in advocating for the fair treatment of footwear in markets across the globe, and we will also work with the BFA on FDRA’s industry Code of Conduct and Responsible Footwear Manufacturing Program.”
About the British Footwear Association Established in 1898 the British Footwear Association has supported the
British footwear industry promoting its members for more than 100 years, providing an unrivalled go-to resource for everything you could ever need to know about the business. BFA members come from all sectors of an industry with truly global reach. From leading international brands, and world class manufacturers to new innovative designers. Our companies employ over 9,000 people with exports currently valued at over £500 million per year, increasing rapidly.
About the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America Founded in 1944 by the footwear industry, the Footwear Distributors and
Retailers of America (FDRA) is the largest footwear trade association in the US. It represents and serves the entire width footwear industry from small family owned footwear businesses, U.S. footwear factories, and global footwear companies.
It also represents and serves the full supply chain of the
footwear industry from research, design and development, to manufacturing and distribution, to retailers selling to consumers all over the globe.
www.footweartoday.co.uk
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