newsletter - Point of Shoes kommt gut an

Course on “Basics of Industrial
Shoe Production”
Certifi cates Awarded to
36 Successful Course
Participants in Ethiopia
ISC-Pirmasens has been present
in the North Ethiopian town of
Wukro since April 2009. Here ISC
is training employees of Sheba
Tannery p.l.c., which is currently
expanding into footwear production.
The fi rst 36 participants to
successfully complete the course
on “Basics of Industrial Shoe
Production” were awarded their
certifi cates in October.
Sheba is one of Ethiopia’s leading
tanneries and belongs to the Effort
group of companies. Hitherto Sheba
has produced quality crust- and wetblue
leathers for export but recently
expanded its product range to include
fi nished leathers. The product range
extends from cow via sheep to kid
leather for the manufacture of leather
goods, leather apparel, and leather
furniture.
Parallel to expansion of the tannery,
Sheba is currently setting up production
facilities for footwear as well
as leather goods. A new footwear
production factory has already been
built and equipped with machinery.
Production capacity is planned to
reach 2000 pairs/day within two years.
ISC has taken on the task of training
the personnel needed for footwear
N E W S L E T T E R
production and putting the organisation
of the footwear factory on the
right course from the very start. Two
experienced specialists were therefore
sent to Ethiopia to train the skilled
workers of the future.
The course on “Basics of Industrial
Shoe Production” began in April 2009
and lasted for six months, during
which time the 36 participants had to
complete a demanding programme.
The highly practical course covered the
basics of industrial footwear production
with a particular focus ons upper
production and hand-stitched outsoles.
ISC awarded the participants
certifi cates of successful completion
in early October. In a second stage
additional personnel will be trained for
specifi c operations in a six-week cycle
and integrated into the production
Why Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has the largest livestock
population in Africa and has long been
a major supplier of raw hides to the
international leather and footwear
industry. Above all, the quality of
sheepskin and goatskin from Ethiopia
is excellent. The investment climate is
favourable for foreign investors, and
no import or export duties are levied.
Wages are low; English is the language
of communication. A number of Ethiopian
footwear manufacturers already
supply shoes to the European market,
including Germany and Italy.
The Ethiopian government is promoting
the leather sector and would
like to increase the level of added
value generated within the country.
It therefore supports cooperation
between ISC and Ethiopian companies
and institutes. At the close of 2008