Sapica News Menu. Click on the link to go the news >> Sapica changes dates >> Support loval footwear industry by buying Mexican, says Margarita Zavala >> Sapica begins with big challenges >> Mexican government pledges support for footwear industry in case of serious impact due to Chinese imports >> Mexican footwear exports grow 24% during 2011
SAPICA change dates                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Support local footwear industry by buying Mexican, says Margarita Zavala León, Guanajuato, Sept. 3, 2011 – Margarita Zavala, the wife of Mexican President Felipe Calderón, stated that the best way to support the country’s footwear industry is to buy Mexican shoes. During her tour of the installations of the Leather and Footwear Salon (SAPICA), the fourth most important fair of its kind in the world, she added that it is always very important to promote jobs in all the states of the republic, especially when it is an industry that distinguishes a city or a state, as is the case of footwear in the city of León and the state of Guanajuato. For the length of her 30-minute visit to several stands displaying Mexican brands of children’s shoes, the president’s wife said she was very pleased to explore SAPICA and asserted that there are many different  ways to support the country’s shoemakers, but the best is to purchase footwear made in the country. The country’s First Lady mingled with footwear executives as well as the general public, which continually expressed its admiration. It should be mentioned that SAPICA is Latin America’s most important footwear exhibition, No. 2 in the Americas and the fourth-largest in the world. The economic importance of this fair, of fundamental significance for the Mexican footwear sector, is shown by the following facts. ·         150 million pesos (some $12.5 million U.S.) in economic benefits for the state. ·         18 million pairs in estimated sales. ·         850 exhibitors. ·         45,000 square meters (more than 11 acres) of exhibition space. ·         2,032 stands. ·         10 Pavilions: High Fashion, Ladies’, Men’s, Dress, Casual, Sport, Children’s, Western, Leather Goods and Developing Businesses. ·         129 companies in the Developing Businesses Pavilion. ·         10,540  buyers in the previous edition. ·         34,000 visitors. ·         Foreign buyers and visitors from countries such as Canada, the United States, Colombia, Costa Rica, Spain, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. ·         “Face to Face” Promotional Program: Participants from the Federal District and the states of Mexico, Nuevo León, Jalisco, Veracruz, Yucatán, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Aguascalientes, Michoacán, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas. ·         International SAPICA Fashion, featuring the designers César Yamasaki, Natalie Amkie, Lorena Sarabia and Alana Savoir. ·         ProspectaModa, Show Room Trends Fashion Show with the designer Guillermo León. << Regresar        Investment of 815 million pesos to build new footwear outlet to bring products closer to Mexico City market León, Guanajuato, Mexico, Sept. 2, 2011 – Some 815 million pesos ($68 million U.S.) will be invested in the construction of a footwear outlet mall to be located between the cities of León and Querétaro, with the goal of bringing the product of Mexico’s shoe-producing Bajío region to the consumer market of the nation’s capital. As part of the third day of activities in the Leather and Footwear Salon (SAPICA), Fernando Barba, coordinator of the outlet project, told a press conference that the scheme is a result of the commitment of a group of Mexican investors who are only awaiting the conclusion of negotiations with the financial institution involved to obtain capital and start construction. This project, called Stadia, will aim to attract buyers within a radius of about 270 kilometers (more than 400 miles), an area that includes some 50 million people in Mexico City and surrounding states.  Barba stated that the project could get under way within 120 days with the placing of the cornerstone. There will be capacity for over 200 shoe firms to display their products, of which about 85 have already confirmed their participation. The mall could offer exhibition areas with over 200 square meters (more than 2,000 square feet) for each company, in which they will be able to offer their complete range of products or even serve as distribution centers. Larger integrated areas, as well as simpler ones, will also be available depending on the needs of each business. The project will be located in an area of 20 hectares (nearly 50 acres), Barba said, and will include not only footwear shops but also commercial “anchor” stores and shops featuring textiles, apparel, hats and leather goods. For his part, Arturo Gutiérrez, coordinator of SAPICA’s new Social Networks project, disclosed that after six months of the fair’s first appearance on Facebook, it already has 157,000 followers, which allows a powerful interaction with the general public. The final speaker was Luis Gerardo González, president of SAPICA, who stated that through the second day of the fair, the number of Mexican and international buyers was comparable to that of the same period in the prior edition. SAPICA´s president stated that about 5,000 domestic and international buyers from over 15 countries have visited the fair so far. << Regresar    Sapica begins with big challenges During the second day of activities in SAPICA, the No.2 fair of its kind in the Americas, the exhibition’s president, Luis Gerardo González, stated that for the first time a Mexican government is really supporting domestic industry against the threat posed by China’s unfair trade practices. “China is the enemy to beat,” he said. “Nobody is going to give us anything, and we must work jointly with the government, which for the first time is saying, ‘You do the work and we will support you.” He went on to say that during SAPICA’s first day, more than 1,800 Mexican and foreign buyers visited the fair, with attendees from nearly every Mexican state and a number of other countries. He added that of the total number of buyers, 37 percent were visiting SAPICA for the first time, and that on average each buyer is visiting between 25 and 30 stands per day. In other news, World Footwear Congress representative Peter Mangione announced that the 2011 edition of the event would take place Nov. 7 and 8 in Rio de Janeiro. Mangione commented that the world’s leading footwear producers understand the risk that China represents to the world footwear trade. He explained that in Europe, as well as the United States, even if they have not permitted the direct participation of Chinese brands in their markets, a high percentage of shoe sales originate in Chinese production for local brands. << Regresar      Mexican government pledges support for footwear industry in case of serious impact due to Chinese imports León, Guanajuato, Mexico, Aug. 31, 2011 – The Mexican footwear industry and the federal government have reached an agreement under which the government can take immediate measures, “which could reach the status of protection,” in the event of a major increase in Chinese footwear imports into Mexico. Industrialists of the sector as well as the federal Economy Ministry announced that the transition period for defending the domestic market against Chinese imports will end on Dec. 31 as agreed; nevertheless, footwear businesses will provide necessary information to the ministry so it can act in case of grave damage resulting from the trade opening. During the inauguration of the 65th edition, for Spring-Summer 2012, of the Leather and Footwear Salon (SAPICA), Armando Martín Dueñas, president of the Guanajuato State Footwear Industry Chamber (CICEG), stated that the agreement was reached today in a private meeting before the opening of the exhibition. Likewise, the Economy Ministry and CICEG announced that the Mexican government will install lists of actual prices in Mexican customs facilities in order to defend the domestic market against undervaluation in footwear imports into the country. In this regard, Lorenza Martínez, undersecretary for industry and commerce of the Economy Ministry, requested Mexican footwear executives to maintain a constant flow of information to the Ministry so as to keep track of the behavior of the footwear industry at the end of the transition period to the opening of the market, due in December. She explained the government’s commitment to defending the Mexican shoe industry and stated that to date it has established 38 compensatory quotas on imports in different industries, while conducting seven additional investigations in the field. Martínez said that the main challenges to the Mexican economy have foreign origins, meaning it is necessary to implement actions to defend the domestic market, promote productive investment in the country and facilitate the positioning of Mexican products in the most important global markets. Also speaking was Armando Martín Dueñas, president of CICEG, who asserted that thanks to the agreement established with the federal government, the industry will seek to re-establish employment in the region’s footwear industry, particularly in the main shoe-producing cities of León, San Francisco del Rincón and Purísima del Rincón, as well as to provide economic peace and stability. Dueñas explained that 80 percent of the companies in the industry are of micro, small and medium size, which are the ones that are most exposed to unfair competition. He emphasized that the objective is to regain the productive conditions that this sector enjoyed ten years ago. He warned that signs of contraction in the Mexican shoe industry had already been seen in the first six months of 2011, when there was a decline of 1.25 percent in production, while the importation of shoes grew by 32.5 percent during 2010. Also during the opening of SAPICA, an agreement was formalized between CICEG and the Council for Normalization and Certification of Competencies for the creation in Guanajuato of a Committee for Management of Competencies, which will allow the acknowledgement and official certification of the skills and positions of both shoe workers and executives, while establishing quality standards for the state. For his part, Guanajuato Gov. Juan Manuel Oliva demanded support for the Mexican footwear industry through legal measures that would aid the implementation of defensive actions as soon as possible to fight against sub-valuation and triangulation if it becomes necessary, as well as adjustments in international trade laws to have legal instruments on hand to fight contraband. “The road is not toward confrontation, but an alliance to defend the industry,” Oliva said. “We are not going to wait until a tragedy happens to take action. Let us be loud and clear: we are a working team and we will not let the shoe industry stand alone.” Miguel Marón, undersecretary for medium and small businesses in the Economy Ministry, stated that his department has aided 700 shoe retailers through the program “My Shoe Shop.” The last speaker of the event, SAPICA President Luis Gerardo González, stated that the footwear industry is strong and united, as proved by the 37 years of work involved in carrying out the fair, the leader in Latin America and second in importance in the Americas. He explained that this edition of SAPICA will have several showrooms with the participation of the Mexican designer Guillermo León. González also announced the presentation of prominent Mexican designers César Yamasaki, Lorena Sarabia, Natali Amkie and Alana Savoir, who will exhibit their designs together with footwear from some of the country’s most important manufacturers. On this occasion, PROSPECTAMODA will premiere Showrooms, unique in the history of Mexican fashion, in which eight leading brands will present their fashion collections in a novel and professional format, with a focus completely aimed at communications media previously unseen in the country. Additionally, SAPICA officials announced former Miss Universe Alicia Machado as hostess of INTERNATIONAL SAPICA FASHION LEÓN, the climactic event of the fair, and that famed singer-songwriter Marco Antonio Solís, known as “El Buki,” will perform as part of the activities planned during this edition of SAPICA. << Regresar
Mexican footwear exports grow 24% during 2011 Mexico City, August 17, 2011 —The Mexican footwear industry increased its exports by 24% in the first six months of 2011, compared to the same period last year. During the first six months of this year, the shoemaking sector registered exports of more than 11 million pairs, most of them to the American market, while exports for the first six months of 2010 amounted to some eight million pairs. Luis Gerardo González, president of the Organizing Committee of SAPICA (the Leather and Footwear Salon, the most important shoe fair in Mexico, second in importance in Latin America and No. 4 worldwide), disclosed the figures at a press conference. He explained that even though Mexican exports have strengthened this year, growth has not been seen in the internal market, which has seen a reduction in sales orders. González also stated that there is already a 25% decrease in domestic footwear sales, and that this is the reason the industry will reinforce its strategy to improve product quality and its approach to Mexican customers. SAPICA’s president also emphasized that the Mexican footwear industry is “in a state of war” which “is not going to end,” since the industry is doing what is necessary to defend itself against the threat of the arrival of Asian products once protective tariffs expire by the end of December. In this regard, Mr. González said the footwear sector will continue its agenda of negotiations with the federal government, seeking to maintain current tariffs on Chinese shoes entering Mexico, since illicit Chinese trade practices, such as dumping and state subsidies, have been repeatedly demonstrated. Also present was federal Congresswoman Norma Sánchez Romero, who stated that the federal Congress has recommended to the President that protective measures for Mexican footwear market be extended for four more years, but acknowledged that the final decision rests in the President’s hands. SAPICA’s González said that one of the most important tools that the Mexican footwear industry can use against Asia is precisely the stimulus provided by the industry’s grand national and international event, SAPICA. He disclosed that in spite of difficult economic conditions worldwide, the goal is to sell 18 million pairs of shoes by the end of the four days of SAPICA. For his part, Alejandro Arena, president of León’s Office of Conventions and Visitors (OCV), emphasized that in the state of Guanajuato and especially in the city of León, businessmen and authorities have been able to work as a team for a common objective, the economic development of the city. He also highlighted the local highway infrastructure, tourist attractions and high-quality services that are offered to national and international visitors. He concluded by saying that SAPICA has become an icon for the city, an event that promotes business tourism, which is becoming more important every day. Eduardo Ramírez, economic director of the city of León, said that like few other events, SAPICA is a fair that distinguishes the city, and insisted that we should not lose sight of the fact that a large portion of the international footwear trade visits every six months to restock at this exhibition. Also revealed at the press conference was a small sample of the Showrooms to be exhibited at SAPICA, where outstanding Mexican designers will display their collections for Spring-Summer 2012, within a unique presentation model coordinated for the media by PROSPECTA MODA. It should be noted that the final Showroom on Saturday atSAPICA will feature the footwear collection developed by PROSPECTA MODA for the Mexican designer Guillermo León. Also during the press conference, a brief fashion show took place to present a sample of designs by CESAR YAMASAKI, LORENA SARABIA, NATALI AMKIE and ALANA SAVOIR, designers who will be present at the 65th edition of SAPICA. Rocío Acevedo, director of Business Development of the Guanajuato State Footwear Industry Chamber, which organizesSAPICA, stated during her presentation that eight important brands of footwear will exhibit their fashion collections in a new and professional format directed to the communication media. Top officials of SAPICA announced that Alicia Machado will serve as hostess of INTERNATIONAL SAPICA FASHION LEÓN, the culminating event of SAPICA, and that famed  Mexican singer-composer Marco Antonio Solís, “El Buki,” will perform as part of the activities of the fair. << Regresar