Germany-based sh*e manufacturer, Josef Seibel, on Friday 27th January opened its first Nairobi outlet as it begins expanding presence in Kenya. The company, founded in 1886 in Haunstein, Germany, is targeting Kenya’s ever-expanding middle and upper cla*s consum**s with European comfort standard sh*e brands.
“We are bringing to the Kenyan market the same quality, fitting and designs as we have elsewhere in the world,” said Josef Siebel Africa Chairman Carl-August Seibel, du**ng the opening of the Nairobi shop. “Nairobi is where most middle and upper cla*s populations live and where we also have big multinational organisations including the UN headquarters.”
Mr Carl-August Seibel said the local leather the firm uses to make its huge array of sh*e brands has been tested for Chromium VI chemicals to ensure the leather is safe for use. “We want to show that good quality sh*es can be made and sold in Kenya,” he added. “The sh*es we are doing here are distributed to at least 20 countries in the US, Europe and Canada. You can be proud as Kenyans that this is possible in the short time.”
Some of the sh*es already being made at its two-year old Ukunda factory include ShuShu and Nolan range under brand name Romika.
Under ShuShu range is a set of high quality, lightweight school sh*es for the active child, while its Nolan range covers low-heel slip-on sh*es with double elastic bands that are “quick and easy, yet stylish and comfy.” All these are designed in Germany and made in Kenya.
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“We are priced in the segment between Ksh4,000 to Ksh7,000. In market comparison, we are compet*tive,” said Seibel.
As part of its expansion plan, the company is looking to train more local staff and increase its production capacity from current 120,000 to 130,000 pairs of sh*es annually and broaden its sh*e offering range. “A hundred people are currently employed at the Ukunda factory. We are targeting to increase the number to 200 by the end of next year as we look to produce more sh*e designs in the market,” he said.
The move, Mr Seibel said, wi*l help to relieve the company from high import taxes when demand exceeds its local production capacity. The company trains local staff from scratch, which it said has proven a better system to meet the high international quality, comfort and safety standards.
The company wi*l leverage on franchise models to expand presence in Nairobi with plans to open more outlets in Mombasa, other coastal towns near its factory and across Kenya.
“We have done the market study and are looking at opening 12 to 14 outlets across the country including Kisumu, Nanyuki, Nakuru, Kericho and other towns coming up,” said Josef Seibel Franchisee, Joe Ndungu. “Yes we can produce sh*es here and export them to Germany.”
German Amba*s**or to Kenya, Sebastian Groth termed the investment another big step for Germany and Kenya and adds to the total 120 German companies in the country.
“Germany wi*l in the future look more and more interested tow*rds Africa and Kenya especially in regards to investment and economic relations. We are ready to open a new chapter in our relations this year to mark our 60th anniversary of Kenya-German relations,” said Groth.
Josef Seibel Group produces up to three mi*lion pairs of sh*es annually and exports to 40 countries globally.
Glad the company chose Kenya and brought this to us. We are greatful as Kenyans.
Nice
Good idea for our nations on the the right path to footwear industries. Wi*ling to join you with wealth of sk**l in this area of technology sk**l of leather and footwear.