LOTS OF IDEAS TO HELP YOU UNLOCK THOSE

Transcription

CE MAG SUMMER 2014_V3__ 03/06/2014 18:16 Page 1
THE No.1TRADE MAGAZINE FOR TODAY’S SHOE REPAIRER
SUMMER 2014
LOTS OF IDEAS
TO HELP YOU
UNLOCK THOSE
EXTRA PROFITS
inside!
the
Remember
NATIONALN
EXHIBITI1O5
on 14 & r
Septembe
Plus:
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £1000 –
see page 2
SOLE COLUMN
DON’T
MISS
Welcome to Summer!
‘Flaming’ June is here at last. I’m not sure if the
weather will help this month live up to its
optimistic name, but I’m certain that you will find
some ‘hot stuff’ in this issue (groan !!).
Unfortunately we only received 2 answers –
yes that’s right TWO... and neither of them
were printable so I’m afraid there will be no prize
this time.
Before you get too excited though, I’m afraid you
won’t find any suggestive photos of scantily clad
beauties (or hunks, depending on your preference)
with raunchy stories to tell. I did try, but they got cut
by the Committee!
I have to say that it surprises me that we don’t get
more input from within the trade. Cutting Edge is
after all the magazine for the shoe repair trade and
with thousands being sent out free every time I
would have expected that there would be hundreds
of entries, along with regular requests to be
featured in these pages. Don’t be shy next time. Get
in touch. We would like to hear your stories and
your comments - good or bad.
Seriously though, there IS news of some great new
innovative products - including one that is set to
revolutionise the way that you sell car keys to your
customers. Also inside you will find several really
interesting stories about people in the trade as well as
an insight into perhaps the biggest manufacturer of
keys and machinery in the world to keep you flicking
through the pages.
There is also another reminder about the eagerly
anticipated Cutting Edge National Exhibition in
September. Make a note of the venue – it’s back at the
successful Kettering Conference Centre – and especially
of the date. This year’s event is a little earlier than
those of the last few years, so make sure your late
Summer holiday bookings don’t conflict with the
Exhibition. Benidorm can wait, Kettering can’t!!
It looks like there will be even more exhibitors there
this year and there may be some exciting news
about Cutting Edge... There will definitely be the
announcement of the winner of this year’s Shoe
Repairer of the Year, who this year will walk away with
the biggest ever prize awarded by J Rendenbach and
Cutting Edge.
We hope that YOU entered and
you ARE A WINNER in 2014 !
By the way, you have entered haven’t you? No? Well
you’re in luck. There is still time – and there should also
be an entry form in the package with your Cutting Edge
magazine. So what are you waiting for? Maybe a
couple of sunny days in a row? The odds of you winning
are probably better than that so do yourself a favour get
‘in it to win it’!
There is still time to enter the
fabulous 2014 JR competition!
Could it be YOU who wins the top prize
of £1000 and the title of Shoe Repairer of
the Year 2014?
We look forward to meeting you at the
Cutting Edge Exhibition in Kettering.
Even if you are not lucky this time both you
and your customers will always be winners
every time you use JR quality soles and heels.
Come and see us or find our more from
our website.
Like I always say – Cutting Edge is your magazine.
Help us make it even better
for you.
We know the magazine IS well liked, well
respected and well read by a readership
who really want to receive it. It only goes
to those people who ask to be on the free
mailing list. So Cutting Edge is also THE
magazine for suppliers to get in touch with
their customers, existing and, just as important,
prospective!
Yet still it seems that not everyone who
knows about Cutting Edge, THE shoe repair
trade magazine, realises the potential it
can offer. If YOU want to take advantage of
real potential then you too need ‘to be in it
to win it’! Our contact details are at the
bottom of this page. We’re waiting to
help you.
All the best (yes I do mean what’s in the
magazine) and I look forward to talking to
you again in a couple of months’ time.
Bye for now
Talking of winning, those of you who regularly read
Cutting Edge will remember that in the Spring issue
Cherry Blossom offered £200 of quality shoe care
products to the winner of their caption competition.
WIN
£1000
incorporating The Shoe Repairer.
4000 copies distributed FREE throughout the Shoe
Repair trade to a regularly updated subscribers’ list.
Editorial in this magazine does not represent the
views and policy of The Cutting Edge Organisation,
nor can the editor, production company or Cutting
Edge accept any responsibility for advice given or
product claims made throughout the magazine.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Tony Driver, Editor, 5D Publicity
Gary Unwin, Davenport-Burgess
Robin Healy, E. Healy & Sons
Paul Lister, Grangers International
Tim Wilford, Glenway Products Ltd
Matt Davenport, Davenport-Burgess
Nick Clark, Cobblers & Keys
Cutting Edge Magazine is designed & produced
by 5D Publicity.
Cutting Edge, c/o 5D Publicity Ltd,
56 North Park Grove, Leeds LS8 1EW.
For editorial & advertising enquiries phone:
0113 225 1546 or
email: info@5dpublicity.com
KETTERING
CONFERENCE
CENTRE
SUNDAY 14th &
MONDAY 15th See
SEPTEMBER pages
4&5
Inside this issue...
NATIONAL TRADE EXHIBITION
INFORMATION
P4 & P5
KEY NOTES FROM
THE CHAIRMAN
P6
SOLE TRADER
P12
COMPANY PROFILE
SILCA
P14 & 15
A SHINING EXAMPLE
Cromer Trophies
& Engraving Ltd
P20
MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION P22
SPOTLIGHT on Andrew James P27
BOB MITCHELL
Man of Mystery ?
P32
EUROTROPHEX Preview
P36
WEB DIRECTORY
P38
CLASSIFIED ADS
P39
Plus Product
& Company
News
throughout!!
SUNDAY
14th &
MONDAY 15th
SEPTEMBER
Sun 9.30 - 5pm
Mon 9.00 - 3pm
KETTERING CONFERENCE CENTRE
THURSTON DRIVE, KETTERING, NN15 6PB
WE’RE BACK!
It’s the turn of the Midlands to host the National Exhibition this year. So where
better than The Kettering Conference Centre? Many of those at the event when we
first visited this superb venue in 2011 agreed it was the best show of recent years.
EVEN BETTER !
Lots of famous name suppliers to the
trade have already told us they’ll be
there and there are bound to be plenty
of new names there to make the event
even better than last time...
EVEN MORE !
All the latest products and machines will
be on show, with more great deals than
ever before. To make sure you don’t
miss out there are two chances for you
to be there. We look forward to seeing
you on Sunday or Monday... or both !
HOW TO GET
THERE...
Sat Nav: NN15 6PB
GPS reference: 52.39N 0.74W
Close to the A14 at Junction 8, which
links the A1, M1 & M6 – both only 25
miles away, Kettering Conference Centre
is ideally placed in the Heart of England.
55 minutes from St Pancras
International and Eurostar and only 15
minutes walk from Kettering Station and
has parking for 600 cars.
CALL 01858 465376 FOR DETAILS
cut_edge@btconnect.com
FREE ENTRY
FREE PARKING
One Trade Fair not to be missed!!!
4
5
KEY NOTES from the Chairman
It is almost a year since I
became Chairman of Cutting
Edge and I have noticed many
changes within the trade. In
my role I see much thought
and effort going into organising
the trade shows, charity
events and generally
promoting the trade and what
we need is feedback,
suggestions and most of all
support.
The committee represents a good
cross section of suppliers, all of
whom rely on effective
communication with their
customers.
Cutting Edge (in my opinion, one of
the best trade magazines being
published today) provides an
excellent platform from which ALL
suppliers can promote their goods
and services. So why don't ALL
suppliers do so?
I want the whole trade to benefit so
suppliers, if you don't advertise here
- give it a go, and everyone please
give us your articles, your
suggestions, and your support.
During the next year there are likely
to be some big changes within the
trade so let's see more dialogue
happening. We need good ideas to
help to promote our industry and
raise awareness with the public of
what we can offer to them. Show
them they need us...We certainly
need them !
Gary Unwin
S
STOP PRES
CHARITY
GOLF DAY
20TH JUNE
Calling all Golfers!
There are still a few spaces left
as we go to print...
CALL 01858 465376
or email cut_edge@btconnect.com
From behind the Wheel
by Gary Unwin
From time to time incidents occur that you could never make up. A certain Southern Area sales person was visiting a
customer in South London and, as all reps know the perils of too much tea or coffee and the total lack of open or clean public
toilets, a request to use a customer’s toilet was necessary.
Well, that’s when the problem began.
After doing all his selling, he went to
use the customer toilet, which
happened to be downstairs in the
cellar. Down he went, almost falling
over the customer’s son’s bike that
was stored out of the way on the
landing. On completing his business
and wanting to be on his way he
pulled back the bolt, twisted the door
handle ... and it came off in his hand!
GETTING FLUSTERED
Realising he’d left his phone upstairs
in his briefcase he began to bang and
shout to draw attention to his
dilemma. After almost 45 minutes
with no response he was almost in
panic mode ! Eventually one of the
shop workers needed to pay a visit
and he was surprised to find a rather
flustered trapped salesman. After
been released and retrieving his case,
etc, from behind the counter where
the shop owner had put it thinking
our man had simply forgotten it as
he left, the poor chap hurried off to
where he had parked his car only
to find it had been replaced by
another vehicle!
It then dawned on him that he had
long over stayed the permitted time
in this busy spot and his car had
been towed away to the compound.
A check with the local authorities
located the car a few miles away.
Using his initiative he dashed back to
the shop and came out a couple of
6
Answer: An aglet
minutes later with the bike and
pedalled off to collect his car. On
arrival at the compound after an
eventful cycle ride, he suddenly
realised the only ID he had was his
car keys and that his wallet and any
payment method was inside his
jacket in the boot of the vehicle.
SPENDING MORE THAN A PENNY!
His customer had been wearing
them on a local shoot and had
accidently fired his rifle straight
through the toe cap of his boots.
Luckily the boots were too big for
him and he had missed his toes by
millimetres!
He eventually persuaded the officials
to approach the car and open it with
his keys and he retrieved his jacket
inside the vehicle so he could pay the
£100 recovery fee. Then he had to
load the bike into boot and return to
the customers shop - much to
everyone’s amusement. The shop
owner asked if he needed the loo
before he left ... his answer is not
printable! All that can be said is that
he is now very careful where he pays
a call!
STRANGE REQUESTS
Every shop over the years must
have strange requests, but this one
must be one of the strangest.
Andrew from Calceus Shoe Repairs
in Hedon near Hull was asked to do
a repair on a pair of boots that he
knew he had only repaired a few
weeks before. Concerned his work
may not have been up to his usual
high quality he was both relieved
and amused to see the problem as
the owner took them out of the bag
he was carrying them in...
The moral of the story is...You
should never fill your boots!
If you have an amusing story please
tell our editor, Tony Driver whose
contact details are on page 3.
IT’S A PUZZLE
Oh, and before I go here’s a puzzle
for you... What is the name for the
plastic or metal ends of shoe
laces? The answer is at the bottom
of this page.
DON’T FORGET - DRIVE SAFELY
7
C O M PA N Y N E W S + C O M PA N Y N E W S + C O M PA N Y N E W S + C O M PA N Y N E W S
DAVIES ODELL
REVEAL A
NEW LOOK
GETTING PERSONAL...
After a busy Winter Davies Odell
have confirmed the latest update to
their increasing on-line presence
with a new look web site that
matches their newest product
range brochure.
By embossing the head of the key
blank with your company details, the
key advertises your business to all
who see it.
The key you present to your
customer after cutting will be in their
possession for a long time, so why
not remind them who supplied it.
Other than its size, there are no
limits to what can be coined on the
head of a key, including logo and
graphics. However, the more simple
designs are often the most effective.
Featuring all of the available
current products from
ITSHIDE, Comtesse,
Commando, Phillips,
SuperDark and repair
products from Vibram the
web site is in its first phase
of development with
further updates including,
news, social media and a
host of new products due
later in the year.
Having your company details on the
key encourages repeat business as
well as being a method of identifying
keys cut by your company.
hydraulic press.
Subject to a moderate initial order
quantity, there are no additional
costs involved in customising key
blanks with your company details,
so you can be sure you continue to
pay regular prices but with the
benefits that coined keys can bring
your business.
For further information, please
contact the Davenport Burgess sales
team on 01902 366448 or
alternatively, send your details to
sales@davenport-burgess.com for a
no obligation proof drawing.
As the title suggests, coining is
the same process employed
and produce currency
coinage, so the embossing is
permanent and to a high
standard.
To view the new
web site visit
www.daviesodell.co.uk
or call 01933 410818 to
receive a copy of the
Davies Odell product
brochure.
Coining is part of the
manufacturing process
when the head of the
key blank is pressed
between two dies
by a 50 tonne
THE
MAGNIFICENT
7…
CHERRY BLOSSOM PREMIUM SHOE POLISH
OXBLOOD
NAVY
LIGHT TAN
OXBLOOD, NAVY, LIGHT TAN, MID TAN,
DARK TAN, NEUTRAL & BLACK
Cherry Blossom Premium stock the main range of
colours to SERVICE THE REQUIREMENTS of your
customers. The Company has invested in producing a
range of Shoe Polish that is targeted to the Shoe Repair
and Footwear Specialist Channels.
EXPLODING THE GROCERY SUPERMARKET
MYTH…..
These superior formulations including Carnauba Wax and
the exclusive Cherry Blossom Premium Livery are not
available in the Grocery Supermarkets.
MADE IN BRITAIN…
MID TAN
DARK TAN
The Cherry Blossom Premium Brand enjoys 68%
Consumer Recognition in the UK so your Customers
already know and trust the brand. (Source: One Poll 2011).
NEUTRAL
BLACK
CONTACT YOUR
LOCAL WHOLESALER
AND MAKE THE
SWITCH NOW….
www.cherryblossom.co.uk
Telephone: 01773 521521
Email:
info@cherryblossom.co.uk
Now is the time to stock the complete
Colour range from the original and only
British Shoe Polish Manufacturer based
in Alfreton, Derbyshire.
8
9
PRODUCT NEWS + PRODUCT NEWS + PRODUCT NEWS + PRODUCT NEWS
SIMPLY THE BEST
NEW COUNTER TOP TESTER
BOOSTS TRANSPONDER SALES
SVIG STICK TO THEIR PROMISE THE WRITE
OF INNOVATION
STUFF FROM
The TDB004 Counter Top Transponder Key Tester offers a simple
way to check that a key or remote control has a working
transponder fitted.
VULKOSVIG, introduced to the UK by
top Italian firm SVIG a few months
ago in the Spring issue of Cutting
Edge is already proving to be very
successful.
The Tester gives you the ability to show your customers that their car, truck or
motorcycle key has an electronic
transponder inside it. The TDB004
has a large aperture to allow most
keys and remotes to be checked,
and gives an indication by way
of LEDs and a sounder that data
is being sent by the
transponder and the frequency
at which the transponder is
communicating.
Following a very successful exhibition, Siserve have sold
several new model HARDO finishers and presses.
Their powerful extraction systems combined with the latest technology
and loads of useful options mean you can have the best in machinery at a
good price.
For up to date information on all Hardo products call 0116 271 7152
or go to www.siserve.co.uk. See also their ad on page 36.
This simple piece of
equipment will help to
boost sales of replacement
transponder keys. You can
then explain to your
customer the need to
have a spare key due to
the cost of lost key
replacement from their
dealers when transponders are
involved. The TDB004 Tester is
available for just £65.00 + VAT
from Hickleys.
Full details available from www.hickleys.com
or diagnostics@hickleys.com
The SVIG Export Department told us
recently “This is because of the
excellent comfort combined with
great abrasion resistance that
Vulkosvig offers and also because
being made of
polyurethane
and rubber it
can easily be
stuck with a
Universal glue.”
“SVIG knows
how important a
strong, easy to
use glue is to
today’s shoe
repairers. So
now we have
extended our
ADESVIG range
of specialist
glues to include
not only the
original Top
Quality Adesvig but also ADESVIG ‘E’
and ADESVIG TRANSPARENT which
are ideally suitable for rubber based
products. We are also aware of the
importance of plastic products in the
shoe repair trade so we have also
developed ADESVIG PVC specially for
this sector of the market. We would
like also to highlight the fact that our
intention is to always offer a
complete service to our
customers, that’s why
we keep also Adesvig
PVC in our stock,
because we would like
to face all the shoe
repairers’ needs.”
To find out more about
the growing range of
SVIG products go to
www.svig.it or simply
ask your wholesaler.
Remember to check
out the SVIG display at
the Cutting Edge
Exhibition in
September. Who
knows what else they
will have on offer by
then ?!
STERLING
Sterling Locks has launched a ‘Write
on Me’ padlock kit to make it easy to
identify your property. Whether its a
tool box in the workplace, or a locker
in the changing room, a personalised
padlock offers a quick, easy and
secure way of making what’s yours
stand out from the crowd.
Sterling’s Love Locks allow retailers
to make the most of this growing
worldwide trend.
Attractive but strong and durable,
it’s no surprise the growing range of
Sterling aluminium padlocks is loved
by retailers and consumers alike.
For more information on locking
up sales contact Sterling on
0113 391 1293 or visit
www.sterlinglocks.com.
Sterling’s ‘Write on Me’ padlock kit
contains a quality 40mm aluminium
padlock, featuring a strong but
lightweight anti-corrosion aluminium
body with a hardened steel shackle.
The double locking mechanism is
released by a brass cylinder and the
kit comes with two keys. The
padlock’s protective plastic sleeve is
available in either red and blue
colours and can be easily written on
using the silver paint pen included in
the pack.
As well as being practical, Sterling’s
‘Write on Me’ Padlocks also have a
more romantic use. Couples are
increasingly demonstrating their love
for one another by writing their
names on a padlock and attaching it
to a symbolic or significant object.
FLIPPING
MARVELLOUS!
OUTSTANDING DESIGN
DISTINCTIVE HIGH
QUALITY
LONG LASTING &
RELIABLE
BAG & POCKET
FRIENDLY
Available
exclusively from
www.charlesbirch.com
10
11
Waiting is over.
The future is now.
Cutting remarks from the
SOLE TRADER
Both establishments are run by tenants,
but one team definitely own the pub
whilst the other team - well they are
just running it. Efficient they may be but
they don’t manage to add any value to
the product they are selling.
DO YOU
REALLY OWN
YOUR
BUSINESS?
Easy to answer but I’m not
talking about whose name is on
the lease.
It might be clearer if I change the
question - do you own the business
you work in. Do you own the
problems, the successes and the
challenges? You don’t have to be the
business owner to own these and not
all business owners realise that they
don’t own them either.
I was asked the other day to give an
opinion on whether a particular
hostelry I recently visited had
improved and was it now better than
its competitor 4 miles away. It had
improved, the food was better and
the service too, but in my opinion it
wasn’t as good as its rival. Let’s be
clear, neither are competing for
Michelin Stars or even gastro pub of
the year, but both are competing for
visiting tourists and locals too, so top
quality pub food is the order of the
day. Why is one better than the
other? The menus are quite similar
and both have different physical but
equally appealing qualities. The
main difference is ownership.
at least inflation or, more importantly,
about your complaints or other
factors that you think are making your by the inflation that the particular
business is facing. If you don’t do it
business life difficult.
each year you will eventually be
ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR
faced with a much harder to justify
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
large increase instead of regular small
IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
That attitude of “ownership”
increments. You also need to
This kind of “ownership” is very
permeates all customer facing
consider that giving small services for
apparent in retail; John Lewis is one
attitudes from how you greet
free may not be worth the goodwill
outstanding example and so to is
customers, to how you advise them, generated. Remembering the adage
ASDA, both massive organisations
to how you say goodbye.
“that which is given free is rarely
who have managed by differing
It effects your attitude to maximising valued” could be good for business.
methods to transfer “ownership” to
A tough call when times are hard I
customer spend, introducing new
customer facing staff. In our own
know, but most of us have a great
services and that old problem- price
industry Timpson, by extensive
deal of difficulty charging what we
increases.
training and giving their managers the
are worth and give in too easily when
autonomy to “amaze” a customer no If you introduce a new service lets
facing customer price complaints.
say locks (as it’s topical to this
matter what the cost, have also
issue), do you do it with conviction or If you “own” the price increase it is a
succeeded in allowing “ownership”.
lot easier to justify to the customer do you have an apologetic display
So what difference does it make? I
you need to maintain quality of
that you put up because the rep or
own my business that’s enough
the boss said they were good sellers, materials, up to date equipment in
surely? No not for the customer it
good condition to maintain a safe
but that you barely understand. Do
isn’t. The customer wants to deal
environment and high quality
you hand a new product over to the
with someone who is engaged in the customer with no comment or worse workmanship so that the customer
business not someone who just
receives a good product etc etc. That
still a denigrating remark. Or do you
works in it. This is always best
is so much better than blaming the
engage them with helpful advice on
demonstrated by how you deal with a its areas of use, security quality,
power supplier, the council or the
complaint. Do you own the complaint fitting technique and a question as to
wholesaler who’s allegedly screwing
or do you blame some other
whether the two keys it comes with
you in to the ground.
circumstance, be it Head Office,
will be enough?
Owning your business and
management or a supplier’s short
GETTING VALUE FROM YOUR
comings? I promise you ANY
importantly getting your staff to own
BUSINESS
complaint is yours and yours alone.
it is good for business. Get the
ownership right and you can be a star
The customer wants you to deal with Let’s talk about prices – I’m one of
of the High Street.
those
business
people
who
believe
it and provide a solution right there
Sole Trader
and then and they don’t want to know prices should increase every year by
FLEX IS A BIG HIT
When new items enter the market place we all think
that we have sure-fire winners. The truth is none
of us have a crystal ball and we all have to
go with our instincts. Sometimes our
instincts aren’t always right (except at
Glenway ...where we never get anything
wrong of course !).
This new computerised key
cutting machine which is
designed and manufactured in
Italy, is set to revolutionise the
way we cut keys. It combines
code cutting functionality with
the facility to copy all types of
keys including cylinder, car,
laser and dimple blanks –
at an affordable price.
OPTICAL LASER READER in front of cutter for precise cylinder
key copying and automatic calibration, ensuring a perfect cut
every time.
ELECTRONIC TRACER POINT for automatic decoding of
laser and dimple keys with automatic contact calibration.
4 WAY ROTATING JAW for cylinder keys and
interchangeable jaws for laser and dimple keys.
ADDITIONAL JAWS for Citroen SX9P, Ford Tibbe, VW, Ford
available in discounted pack.
CROSS REFERENCE OVER 80,000 key blanks for residential,
Now that the ‘manic’ trophy season is on us it is
a good time to see what the big sellers will be.
However, in the past plastic figures have had a
thread which meant the retailer had to have
hardware (nuts & ferrules etc) to be able to attach
them. Flex has a heavy duty adhesive pad which
sits inside a recess at the base of the figure.
Although this means a little extra work for the
retailer it is just that. Instead of putting a
centre and plate onto a trophy they now attach
a Flex as well. There are 20 different Flex figures
so they suit most sports can be made into
numerous sizes.
The big advantage is they are more competitively
priced than resin, and travel a lot cheaper. From
the Glenway point of view stocking is a dream,
as they take up such little space compared to
bulky resin items. Dispatching is also a lot easierand a lot cheaper for the customer, as the
packages are smaller.
Well its early days yet, but Flex is already looking
like the number 1 hit of the season.
So when Glenway the UK’s no.1
supplier of trophies & awards,
decided to introduce Flex, it was a
bit of an unknown. For the last 10
years resin has been the mainstay
of the mass trophy market. To
suddenly bring an item to the table
that wasn’t a completely finished unit,
or resin, was alien to most people.
However, when this innovative
product was created by the
Glenway Development team, it
ticked an awful lot of boxes.
Tim Wilford
Flex itself is a plastic figure.
Nothing new there you may think. Glenway Products Ltd.
12
Reserve your Futura.
office and automotive use stored in the Silca database.
VISUAL IMAGE of the key on the screen.
HDMI ANDROID TABLET linked to the machine by blue
tooth and Wi Fi connection.
SOFTWARE INTEGRATED and eighteen months licence
included in price.
LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT: Weight 20 Kg: Dimensions
Width 310 mm, depth 413mm, height 340mm ( with tablet
529mm)
AFTER SALES SERVICE AND SUPPORT from online Silca
Remote Service (SRS) via the tablet and Silca Services UK
telephone support team.
For more information or to reserve your new Silca Futura call Silca Services
on 0113 200 3926 or contact your local Charles Birch representative.
Flat keys Optical Reader
01V interchangeable clamp with rotating solution and
01R interchangeable clamp
Light and compact
Tablet-integrated solution
13
COMPANY PROFILE + COMPANY PROFILE + COMPANY PROFILE + COMPANY PROFILE
COMPANY PROFILE + COMPANY PROFILE + COMPANY PROFILE + COMPANY PROFILE
CONSTANT
INNOVATION
FORWARD THINKING IS THE KEY TO
WORLDWIDE SUCCESS AT SILCA
Take a ring of keys and
check the names on
them. Chance is you
will see the name Silca.
This multi national
based in Vittorio Veneto
near Venice in Italy is
the world’s leading
manufacturer of key
blanks and key cutting
machines with a
production of 200
million blanks per year.
WHERE DID THIS
SUCCESS BEGIN?
40 years ago in 1974 a group of
artisan craftsmen formed the
Societa Italiana Lavorazione
Chiavi e Affini which means the
Italian Company for
Manufacturing Keys and Related
Products – (sounds so much
better in Italian!!).
Over the next 12 years the company
changed from being an artisan
business run by a collegiate of skilled
workers to becoming an industrial
company, increasing its production
of key blanks and introducing a
complete line of key cutting
machines.
In 1986 Silca opened its first
business unit abroad Silca UK Ltd
run by Phil Burford based in South
London. A year later Silca
Deutschland GmbH was founded in
Heiligenhaus and was then moved to
Velbert in the lock and security
heartland of Germany.
Silca became truly multi national
when it opened a production plant in
Twinsburg, Ohio and in 1996 moved
to its current state of the art 30,000
square metre site in Vittorio Veneto.
14
Every day Silca adds at least two
new sections to its key catalogue
and their new developments in the
automotive market with GTI (Glass
Technology Innovation) and Flip Keys
are testament to their creative
research.
On the machinery side it is clear that
the new Silca Futura is the most
exciting new innovation in the world
of key cutting machinery since the
Triax Quattro and Bravo Professional
several years ago.
AN UNRIVALLED
DEDICATION TO
QUALITY
The following year in 1997 Silca
merged with the Unican Group
which then over the next four years
acquired several companies
including Ilco Orion which in turn had
taken over CEA which were well
known brands in the UK. In 2001
Silca – Unican itself was acquired by
the Swiss multinational security
company KABA making it the third
largest security company in the
world.
locksmiths, while as regards the
industrial manufacturing, our
customers are the most important
locks and automotive manufacturers
who can rely on worldwide
recognised test certifications that
attest the quality and
trustworthiness of our products and
manufacturing processes”.
In the UK, Silca UK has moved to
Crawley in Sussex and is run by Lee
Young who is supported by his
onsite engineer Matt Vince. In 2011
the Charles Birch Group were
appointed as exclusive distributors
to the UK shoe repair trade whilst
Aldridge Security continue as their
long standing partners in the
locksmith sector, both companies
working alongside Silca UK.
Silca employ over 400 people in
Vittorio Veneto and have a turnover
of over 50 million euros producing
over 230 million key blanks per year
with over 66,000 different sections.
The emphasis is always on quality
and innovation.
SILCA EXPORT TO OVER
130 COUNTRIES...
Silca MD, Stefano Zocca
Managing Director Stefano Zocca
explained “We are present in over
130 countries worldwide and our
products are targeting both the key
replacement business and the
industries. As for the key
replacement business we sell our
products to key cutters and
Silca’s dedication to quality
standards is unrivalled in the
industry. Every key blank is made
from “easy cut” steel which is a
specially forged steel with a high
lead content that gives maximum
strength whilst being easy on the
cutters.
Every batch of keys is manufactured
using the latest state of the art
machinery and is rigorously checked
by especially trained personnel and
also by their new laser technology. In
addition all cylinder keys are back
bevelled to ensure that they work
smoothly in the lock.
Valentino Colussi, Silca's Head of Marketing shows off just some of the raw materials used
to make over 230 million key blanks
HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS
THAT PERFECTLY SUIT THEIR
MARKETS
Their future strategy is to carry on innovating as outlined by Stefano Zocca;
“Our product strategy is to develop
highly competitive products that
perfectly respond to the needs of
the markets we are addressing”.
As one would expect from a forward thinking company like Silca, they have
embraced the world internet. Their easy to use website offers customers a
comprehensive source of customer information and interactive tools including
their new Electronic Key Catalogue (EKC) simply log on to https://ekc.silca.biz.
Here you not only find Silca’s entire stock range but you can even personalise
it to your own key system.
15
RETIRING THE VENERABLE
464 TWIN BULB HEATER
SAFECAN – THE PASSWORD TO
SUMMER SALES
In recent years, the number of
security log-ins required for every
day life has escalated.
From online shops to social media
sites and laptops to mobile phones,
they all need one and experts
recommend a different password for
each. They also recommend these
are not stored on the PC or mobile
phone. Few people have the memory
power to recall each one without
writing them down. As a result sales
of Sterling Locks SafeCans are
growing as they are increasingly used
as the perfect place to hide coded
lists of passwords and valuable items.
SafeCans are an exact imitation of
every day top branded items - such
as a can of Heinz Baked Beans.
However, instead of beans, they have
a secret storage area for keys, cards,
or cash and increasingly, passwords.
PRODUCT NEWS + PRODUCT NEWS +
THE GRAVOMOBILE TAKES TO THE ROAD AGAIN
From June to September Gravograph
will be once again touring the UK
with their mobile showroom. An
opportunity to discover the latest
lasers and engraving machines.
They’re a great gift for students to
store back-up keys, credit cards or
cash in their digs. The De-Icer
SafeCan is ideal for storing spare
keys in garages or sheds, while you
can hide valuables in plain sight in
the Heinz Tomato Soup SafeCan
stored alongside other groceries in a
food cupboard.
If you want to look at the newest
lasers and computerised engravers
on the market without having to
travel to busy exhibitions then make
the most of Gravograph’s 2014
Roadshow.
To stock up on SafeCans or to find
out more about Sterling Locks range
of innovative super secure
KeyMinders contact Sterling on
0113 391 1293 or visit
www.sterlinglocks.com.
Gravograph’s mobile showroom (aka
the ‘Gravomobile’) comes to your
premises at a convenient time and is
operational within minutes of arrival.
Step aboard and discover a new
range of machinery.
How does it work?
What is there to see?
The Gravomobile is equipped with the
latest lasers (C02 and Fibre) as well
as small and large size computerised
engraving machines. A new
innovative fully automated Braille sign
making system will also be presented
for the first time in the UK.
Last but not least, companies taking
part in the roadshow had the
opportunity to discover the new
M20J compact engraving machine,
an all-in-one innovative system
featuring laser pointer as well as
inside / outside ring engraving.
For more information on the 2014
Roadshow call 01926 884 433 or
email info@gravograph.co.uk.
For many years the 464
Twin Bulb Heater has been
the mainstay of shoe repair
shops across the Country as
an essential part of their
workshop. Obviously it’s most
popular function was to warm
up the repairer’s bacon sarnies
on a cold morning or keep your
tea warm! Additionally, back in
the day, the 464 twin bulb was
the only source of heat available
to warm your hands! Another
useful task the device performed,
when not helping to feed the faces
and warm the cockles of cobblers,
was warming up stick-on-soles that
have been pre-solutioned or drying
leather soles covered in copious
amounts of glue.
A consequence of the multi-faceted
uses for the twin bulb heat lamp
was that these appliances are left
permanently ‘on’ and using up your
hard earned cash! Most often
because you ‘forget’ to turn them off
or that the switch has broken, not
uncommon for this kind of machine.
Whilst there’s seemingly not much
else required from your heater, we
would like you to consider the
differences between the old and the
NEW options available to the Trade.
The main difference, some would
argue, is the cost! Flash activators
are more expensive to buy, but are
they more expensive when you
balance the issue and consider
running costs? The older style
heaters, of which the 464 is one,
have one very basic operation, ‘On
and Off’. Now there’s nothing wrong
with that, it did the job and that’s
what every repairer wanted.
But the NEW Cement Activators
offer a little more for the end user
that we believe can make a
difference to your working day.
Activator’s are designed to give the
operator more choice in how they
work, mainly by offering a timed
‘Boost’ option to speed up the
drying/activating process, invaluable
when running a busy repair outlet.
But more than that, they can be
more easily integrated within your
machine set up and there are two
Take a look at our
new easy-to-use
website
The new
slimmer 465A
options for you to choose from. The
mainstay of our range is the ‘Mini
Hica.’ Hica, for the uninitiated, is an
acronym for High Intensity Cement
Activator. You see, you do get to
learn something new every day!
The Mini Hica is used in most of the
busiest shoe repair shops in the
Country and beyond. A solid, wellbuilt item that puts more control in
the hands of the operator. It uses a
timer on the ‘Boost’ section which
allows more control over how you
use the heat generated. It also
includes a new addition, a timer on
the ‘on/off’ button, set at 10
minutes, to make sure that your
device is not left on any longer than
need be, keeping your electric bills
to a minimum!
In addition, we offer another model,
the 465A, a slimmer, wider design
that better integrates with the
contemporary layout of shoe repair
outlets. This model also includes the
same spec as above but is more
suited to our modular machine set
ups. It is wider to allow for long
soles and is higher to allow for
bulkier materials/footwear to be
placed under the heater tubes.
Along with the timers on both
‘on/off’ and ‘boost’ buttons, we
believe, your NEW activator will
more than pay for itself by saving
you money on your electricity bills
and keeping your workshop a little
neater. In fact, we’ll go one further,
we reckon that they will pay for
themselves in the first two years of
their life!
...for simply great value
www.edwardhealy.co.uk
FREE
PHONE
0800 328 0709
CASH AND CARRY
At our busy depot we’ve got
the very best in shoe repair
and shoe care products.
All at very special prices.
And now we can supply them
direct to your door when you
order and pay with your
ACCESS/VISA/SWITCH card
So, to recap, the NEW activators are:
More energy efficient
• More adaptable
• Ergonomically designed in line with our modular design ethos
• Colour matched if required
Now ask yourself again, are NEW activators really
more expensive?
16
FREE
PHONE
17
GET THE SKILL
OF THE NINJA
ON YOUR SIDE
Until recently, those who wanted to invest in a
computerised key cutting had to part with a
small fortune in order to obtain such a machine.
The machines were often large and would
require a lot of keys to be cut on them to
warrant the space and outlay required.
However, as with all things technical and
computerised, the technology that was only
available to a select few is now accessible to all.
The Keyline Ninja not only addresses these
issues, but wraps them up in a portable sleek
design that would grace the bench of any key
cutting establishment. The Ninja’s ability to
copy, cut to code and de-code single and
double sided cylinder keys is second to none.
The Keyline Ninja machine has been in the
market for just over 2 years and continues to
keep abreast of the constant changes in the key
cutting market. Its small footprint means that it
doesn’t take up precious space in any key
cutting set up, in fact it only occupies slightly
more space than a conventional cylinder
machine such as the Rekord 2000 or Keyline
Carat. Its all-encompassing touch screen
console means that there is no additional PC
required to run the hardware. The console is
designed to be placed on the work bench, on
the wall or on the optional adjusting support
arm.
STILL SCEPTICAL ?
Those still sceptical about running a
computerised code cutting machine should
consider the Ninja’s copy function that it offers
its users. Just place the original key and the
blank in the opposing jaws and press the copy
button located on the top of the machine. The
Ninja will then automatically duplicate the key in
a cycle time of just 21 seconds meaning that it
can be used as a conventional key cutting
machine and not as an expensive “just in case”
machine.
Depth adjustment dial conveniently located on the
side of the machine
The Ninja runs
using Instacode software
and is kept updated FOC via
downloads from the Keyline website. A one
year’s subscription to Instacode is included with
every Ninja machine to run on a PC
independently.
It addition to the Instacode software, the Ninja’s
next generation software includes several very
useful functions, including the management of
multiple users, the ability to save cut keys, the
importing of customised data, communications
via Instacode and Promaster, an on board user
manual and the possibility of downloading the
updates from the net. The Ninja also features a
card making facility allowing the user to Input
the details of their own key section, proving
invaluable for those who supply their own
master suite systems.
Familiar cylinder machine layout
In addition to
the Ninja Cylinder
machine are the Ninja Laser
with the capability of reproducing
automotive and household cylinder, Laser and
Tibbe keys and the Ninja Vortex. The Ninja
Vortex decodes, cuts and engraves the
high security, laser and dimple keys.
4-way jaw system allows all types of cylinder key
to be held securely
For further information on the Keyline Ninja machine range, please contact Davenport-Burgess on 01902 366448
or sales@davenport-burgess.com. We operate a national sales force and are happy to arrange a no obligation demonstration at your premises.
Alternatively come and see us at the Cutting Edge Exhibition, Kettering on 14th & 15th September where our team will be happy to demonstrate
the Ninja’s capabilities.
18
A SHINING EXAMPLE
In our Winter 2012 issue we
featured Cromer Trophies &
Engraving Ltd in one of our 'Best
Foot Forward' articles. Since then,
quite a lot has changed for owner
Steven Burbidge so we thought we’d
go back to find out how things are
going. Here is what Steven had to
tell us:
“For a while now we have been
running out of space in the current
shop premises, and with our shop
lease due to expire at the end of
2013 we had been on the lookout for
larger premises within the town that
we could expand into.
The only shop premises that were
up to rent were either too small or
too expensive.
Then the stroke of luck that we
needed came when the shop next
door to ours became available.
Initial enquiries with the estate agent
(as he was outside taking photos for
the property details) suggested that
the combination of the two
properties was right at the top of
what we could afford, but we
investigated the possibilities
nonetheless.
Added to this was the slight
complication that at that time we
were also renting a second shop
opposite ours.
We had taken that on a short,
2 year lease when it came
available (to help with storage)
and when the shop next door
became available,
we needed to move fast to
ensure we didn’t miss out on
the opportunity provided.
We contacted the landlords of the
property, who were happy for us to
do the required works to combine
the two shops into one and following
much negotiating with the estate
agents, eventually the deal was
done. So on the 1st August 2013
(the day of my 10th wedding
anniversary, no less) we got the keys
to our new shop.”
ALL SYSTEMS GO ?
“With a week’s holiday booked in the
middle of August, I had visions of
20
getting the builders in, work
progressing and me coming back off
holiday to find the work nearly
done... How wrong I turned out
to be!
Following an assessment of the
building by a structural surveyor,
most of the builders we talked to
were suddenly unavailable, or
GETTING BUSY
Once the basic building work was
completed, we could then get the
electrician and carpenter in to do the
rest of the skilled work, meanwhile
I was busy doing the painting &
decorating.
We still have a few little finishing
touches to do now to complete the
However, the main reason for getting
this system is because one of the
cameras is pointed at the engraving
machines, and specifically our
U-Marq Quest flat bed engraver.
This has manual switching to
activate the spindle motor &
extractor, and quite often when we
are engraving a larger sign, the job
isn’t finished by closing time at
the end of the day.
I can now log into the CCTV via the
iPhone or iPad app to view whether
the engraving is completed.
Assuming it is, I can then use the
second bit of neat technology, a
remotely controlled double socket
(search Lightwave RF) and remotely
switch off the machine, again using
an app.
Previously I’d have either just left the
motors running overnight, or returned
to the shop to switch the machine
off, but with a round trip of around
30 miles, the cost of the technology
will soon be recouped.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE SHOP...
unwilling
to take
on the
job.
What I
thought
would be a
simple hole
in the wall & beam across was
complicated by the fact that there
was a pillar in the offices above,
supporting the entire weight of the
roof, which was positioned directly
above the middle of the section of
wall we wanted to remove.
To cut a long story short, the builders
eventually started work at the end of
November, a simple lintel turned into
a full 4 sided steel frame round the
opening, and the
building work finally
finished in mid January.
As you might expect,
the final cost was
somewhat in excess of
what I had originally
budgeted for, but
sometimes in life you
just have to take these
things in your stride I
guess!
refit, but basically, we are all sorted,
and have been up & running in the
new extended premises now since
around the middle of March.
LITTLE LUXURIES
We took the opportunity to
incorporate a few little details that
weren’t strictly necessary, but that
will assist with day to day life.
Firstly, we installed a new CCTV
system, which has 4 cameras
covering the shop. This is connected
to a DVR which records 24/7 and
stores footage for about a month
before it is overwritten. This is not
only useful for security purposes, but
it also caught the moment I fell off
the ladder whilst putting some
shelves on
the wall,
ensuring
much
entertainment
at my
expense!
So that is where we are, doubled in
size, wonderful large workshop
space - I don’t think I will ever tire of
finding it so easy to cut full size
sheets of laminate, and plenty of
room to work.
We certainly don’t conform any more
to the stereotype of how a shop in
our trade should look, but I’m really
excited as to what the future has to
offer, and I think we are well placed
to build on the foundations laid in the
previous 18 years that the business
has been running.
It sounds as though all the hard work
and expense has been worth it.
Steven deserves to be able to put
his feet up – even if he is still
checking on his work!
THINKING OF A NEW
LOOK FOR YOUR SHOP ?
If you are going to be
refurbishing your shop in the
near future why not tell us how
you got on and if you can send
us some before and after photos
just like Steven did and we could
even feature your place in a
future issue of Cutting Edge.
In the meantime if you are looking
for inspiration for the decor and style
of your new-look premises and you
want to stand out from the crowd
of Timpson wannabes you might
consider going for the ‘retro’ style
of this place we were recently
told about.
You probably wouldn’t guess from
the old-fashioned style of this shop
interior with traditional accessories
from a bygone age of quality but
this is actually a new shoe repairers
going by the name of ‘Brass’ ... in
Tokyo of all places !
It is one of four ‘Brass’ shops across
Tokyo that along with others under
the name of ‘Union Works’ are
offering traditional ‘British’ quality
and craftsmanship to an eager
Japanese market. Apparently, the
Japanese, particularly those who are
more wealthy and fashionable can’t
get enough of all things British and
they are happy to pay prices for
repairs like these typical examples:
Leather through sole
15-20,000 yen = £85 - £115
Dainite Studded sole/heel
15,000 yen = £87
Vibram Unit Commando style
10,000 yen = £58
Leather quarter rubber heel
4000 yen = £23
Rubber heel
3000 yen = £17
Stiletto heel
1500 yen = £9
If this has inspired you let us know,
and of course if you are so taken
with the idea of this new Japanese
phenomenon that you decide it isn’t
just a new look but a new life for you
in Japan – remember to let us know
your new address so that we can
still mail your Cutting Edge magazine
to you, won’t you !?
Sayonara !
21
...HOW I WONDER WHAT YOU ARE
Material Identification, the key to reliable bonding
We are pleased to introduce the
first of what we hope will be a
series of articles giving advice on
shoe repair by Dr Rainer
Buchholz of Renia Adhesives:
Progress can be a wonderful
thing – or not. Over the past
decades, many new and exciting
materials have become available
and have been used in shoe
manufacturing. But while these
new materials have enabled the
shoe industry to create some
amazing new products (or at
least cut their costs on existing
ones), the shoe repairer is often
faced with a challenge: once
those shoes have been worn
down, how can they be repaired?
It’s not just leather and rubber
any more – many new materials
require a special pretreatment or
a certain adhesive to bond them.
But how do you find out which is
which – without consulting a
chemical laboratory each time?
Material Identification made easy
There are many material
properties you can determine
easily with the means every shoe
22
repairer has available: everyone
has a sanding machine, thinner,
and besides that the hands, eyes,
and nose can come in handy (the
ears are a little less useful here).
Does the material look or feel
greasy? Does it have a certain
smell? Does it melt or produce
dust when you sand it? How
does it react if you put on a drop
of thinner? Usually, this will at
least give you a very good idea
what you are working on, and
what you have to do to create a
lasting and reliable bond.
General tips
There are some general rules that
apply most of the time: the
greasier a material is, the less
likely it is that a regular Neoprene
adhesive will work. It might at
first, but in the long run, the bond
will open again. So you need to
use something that is more
resistant to such conditions, like
a PU-based adhesive, or make
the adhesive more resistant with
a cross-linker. If the material is
very soft and foamy, and already
crumbling a bit, how should it
stand up to the wear and tear
during walking? In that case, the
only way to create a lasting bond
is to reinforce the material
(Primer for PUR). If the material is
sensitive to solvents, it needs to
be protected against them – by a
special chemical Primer in a little
yellow bottle (Rehagol).
Look out for the next part in the
next issue of Cutting Edge: how
to identify and handle leather and
rubber – it’s not always as easy
as you may think!
Dr. Rainer Buchholz, Renia
Adhesives Cologne
CAPITALISE ON STRONG STILETTO SHOES
FASHION THIS SUMMER
Introduce Starlettos !!
than straining on tippy-toe all day,
wearers can relax, smile and
concentrate on enjoying themselves.
Discreet pairing of form and
function
Cupping the base of the heel like a
flower, Starlettos are mostly clear,
and are barely noticeable when worn
on grass.
Easy to clean and store
Starlettos can be worn a
number of times and come
with a little silk purse for
protection and easy storage.
Easy to clean simply slide
them off the heels, rinse under
cold water to remove grass
or dirt and store in their
little pouch inside a
purse or handbag.
The essential shoe accessory for
race days and weddings.
Avoid sinking into the turf and
give star appeal to stiletto heels.
Starlettos are ultra-cute and
clever shoe accessories
designed to stop heels sinking at
garden parties, outdoor
weddings and race-days.
Not only can sinking heels
cause damage to
beautiful shoes, they
might cause your
customers to have their
day spoilt by an accident
with a glass of
champagne or a fall at the
first post !
Designed for peace
of mind
The ingenious, patented design
of Starlettos has been carefully
developed for strength, security to
stay on all day and versatility to fit
most slender heels or stilettos
(8mm-14mm). That means, rather
Shoe Repairer Opportunity:
“Now that you have had your Stiletto heels repaired, we
have this unique product called Starlettos to protect them...”
Please contact your local Wholesaler for details. Products supplied
by Cherry Blossom.
Starlettos Retail Display - Counter Display Carton of 15.
Zed-FULL OF SPECIALIST
SOFTWARE
The new Zed-FULL from IEA is the first
all-in-one programming tool for the
diagnostic or auto locksmith
professional, now offered with a huge
range of specialist software and
purchasing options.
The new Zed-FULL is a top quality
computerised tablet with a large full
colour touch screen, huge memory
and easy to use software. It also
comes with a range of cables,
adapters and accessories all in a
strong carry case.
The Zed-FULL combines an exceptional
range of software that until now has
only been available in separate tools.
It combines key cloning, transponder
management, OBD key and remote
programming, EEPROM programming
with features such as a remote tester,
voltage and continuity tester,
Bluetooth communication and a PC
software package.
So for the first time you can have your
cloning machine, key programmer and
EEPROM package all in one great toolall for the great price of £2750 +VAT
from Hickleys.
The latest course added to our range of accredited courses is the Zed-FULL
users course. This 2 day course covers Transponder Management, Remote
Emulating and Virginizing, OBD Programming, Eeprom Programming and
software updating. The courses being run in the next three months are:
Description
10 Day Auto Locksmith Training
Electronic Keycutting & Instacode
Key & Remote Programming
Advanced Key & Remote Programming
Understaning Transponders & Cloning (AD900Pro)
Zed-FULL Users Course
Eeprom & Micrprocessor Programming
Advanced Eeprom & Micrprocessor Programming
Vehicle Opening
Auto Key Impressioning
Jun
23rd
9th
10th
11th
16th
18th
19th
20th
Jul
Aug
25th
28th
30th
29th
21st
23rd
24th
31st
1st
Full details available from www.hickleys.com or diagnostics@hickleys.com
24
25
GOOD LOCKING AND SO REFINED... JUST THE
TICKET
Burg-Wächter is launching the Alutitan 770
range to help retailers capitalise on the growing
trend for aluminium padlocks.
The new Alutitan 770 exploits the inherent
strength and lightness of a special aluminium
alloy to deliver a strong padlock that is light on
weight yet still delivers good all round
performance.
The solid aluminium body and rustproof interior
offers a superior level of corrosion resistance
making it ideal for use both indoors and out.
Available in a variety of sizes from 20mm to
60mm, the combination of a hardened shackle
and double-locking mechanism (from 30mm
upwards) offers a robust security solution for all
manner of items from lockers and toolboxes to
sheds and garden gates. The Alutitan 770 range
is available on an eye-catching display stand,
making it an attractive security proposition for
retailers and customers alike.
Burg-Wächter has been manufacturing padlocks
for over 100 years and its name is synonymous
with high quality and innovative product
development. Following its acquisition of
Sterling Locks in 2013, Burg’s extensive
selection of security products, including the new
Alutitan 770 range, are available to UK retailers
from the Sterling Sales Team on 0113 391 1293.
26
is to jump in the car with my wife and
head off to the coast and wander
around a harbour. There’s nothing I
like more than being by the sea
watching the world go by. Or if I just
fancy getting away from it all I’ll jump
on my motorbike and take a ride out
to the countryside.
Do you have a favourite piece of
music, film or TV programme?
SPOTLIGHT
Printed repair tickets,
sequentially numbered and two
part perforated.
New state of the art technology
allows us to put YOUR name, YOUR
phone number and YOUR advertising
text on to your repair tickets. Supplied
on rolls of 500 tickets in white only,
the minimum order is for just one roll.
You can use them to promote
your other services or to advertise
a promotion or simply to say
“Have a Nice Day “.
Contact Edward Healy & Sons on
01709 543335 for more details.
“Flaming June? Flaming liberty I
call it! When’s the Summer going
to start?” exclaimed Fairweather
looking glumly out through the rain
streaked window of the Cutting Edge
office.
“What you need is a trip to the
seaside old chap” said the Editor
brightly.
“Really? Aww, thanks Boss. I
could do with a break” said
Fairweather with the hint of a smile
“Actually it’s work” said the Editor,
“The man in the Spotlight loves
messing about on the water so
I’ve arranged for you to meet him
there...”
“That’s good I love the seaside
too, I think most of us Brits do.
It’s something that goes way
back...In fact most of our current
perceptions of the British seaside
are all the stronger for having
Victorian roots. Indeed, despite
changing tastes and intensifying
competition at home and abroad,
the seaside owes much to
positive associations of the
‘traditional’ summer holiday...”
“Whoa, Fairweather don’t go on...”
“What do you mean? It’s actually
very interesting.... Most of these
attributes, or their identification
with enjoyment, are invented
Victorian traditions. Buckets,
spades, cockles and whelks...”
“STOP! Now listen... Andrew
James is a good guy, likes nothing
better than spending time on his
boat or water skiing when he’s
not running his business with his
brother David. He’s agreed to
meet you on his local Wharf but
one thing he can’t stand is boring
people...so DON’T go on like that
with him. We need this interview
so I don’t want you messing it
up...”
“Oh, OK. So which Wharf is it?”
“Canary.”
“AWWW Boss! You said the
seaside! Canary Wharf’s in
London. On the Thames...”
“Oops... Geography was never my
strong subject” chuckled the Editor.
“It’s by the water at least ... and
it’ll be a trip out for you anyway!!”
Andrew James, of James Shoecare loves nothing better than being on the water.
What was your first paid job?
My first paid was putting clutches in
cars at the age of 14
We had a family friend who sold
second hand cars and would bring
them to our house for me to do.
How (and when) did you become
involved in the shoe repair
trade?
As my family has been repairing
shoes for 100 years it was inevitable
I would end coming into the
business. I would come home from
school and help my father in his
workshop we would work to around
9pm most nights and as a treat we
would stop off at the local pub for a
shandy and a packet of crisps.
How would you like to earn a
living if you were not in the job
you are in at the moment?
I would like think the most significant
changes I’ve made is to concentrate
on our brand image,
I have spent the last few years
branding all of the shops along with
our web site so they are instantly
recognisable to the public as a brand
they can trust.
What do you consider has been
your best achievement?
Apart from my daughter... having the
foresight to take a gamble on
opening a shop in Canary Wharf. I
had to sell a high street shop to pay
for the fit out but was worthwhile in
the end.
Not sure where I went wrong
though!!!
That’s a hard one I know and admire
so many people in the trade so I
think I’ll have to pass!
Although shoe repair is basically a
traditional trade it has changed a lot,
even in just the last few years.
What is the biggest change in your
business as far as you are
concerned?
That’s easy ! Live every day as if it’s
your last
... and the worst?
I’d give it to charity
What in your opinion is the best
thing a shoe repairer can do to
improve their business?
... and your worst mistake?
I went to an auction and bought a
house on a whim without viewing it.
A costly mistake but a lesson well
learnt.
What was your favourite subject
at school, and has it been useful
in later life?
Didn’t have one... I never went to
school much!
Where is your favourite place?
...and in the Shoe Repair trade in
particular?
Probably a lift engineer as I don’t like
being confined in small places. Other
than that someone interesting. I can’t
stand boring people
What is the best piece of advice
that someone has given you?
Some of Chris Wilson’s off the wall
idea’s to increase sales ‘lol’
If you were given £1000 to spend
on yourself what would you do
with it?
I’ve always been interested in
criminal law, maybe I could have
been a lawyer if I’d put a bit more
effort at school!
Who do you admire most in
Business today?
Alan Sugar. Much like me, he started
out as a kid trying to make a few
quid after school.
‘Life on Mars’
having such a
busy work life
it’s quite nice to
slip into a bit of
make-believe
and I can relate
to the show
and have great
memories of
growing up in
the Seventies.
If you were
to get stuck in
a lift who would you want in
there with you, and why?
I love being on my boat with my
family in the sun with a nice cold
beer watching
the sun go down
after a day spent
water-skiing.
What makes
your ideal day
away from
work?
You need to keep one step ahead the
game by continually reinventing the
business, updating machinery and
embracing new technology.
Diversifying into new products and
services is a must and never take your
eye off the ball.
How do you see the future for
your business & for the Shoe
Repair trade?
Over the past few years my two
nephews have taking more
responsibility in the day to day running
of the business so hopefully with their
help we’ll be around another 100
years.
...and finally, how
would you like to
be remembered ?
I think I’m an OK
guy but whatever
people think of me
is fine by me!
My ideal day
away from work
27
NEVER A BETTER
TIME TO CODE
AND CUT
TRANSPONDER
CAR KEYS
MICK SHARPE RETIRES
Mick Sharpe who will be known to
all the shoe repairers in the North
West, especially the Manchester
area has finally decided to retire at
the age of 78.
A traditional “old school” wholesaler
Mick took over the business from his
father when he was demobbed out
of the army in 1960. His father had
started the business in Hardwick and
then moved to Denton in
Manchester. He was forced to move
from Denton “when the roof fell in”
in 1987 when he moved to his
current location in Hyde.
Since his only employee Peter
Ellis,retired twelve years ago Mick
has done everything. His day would
consist of ordering and putting away
his stock, phoning customers for
their orders, picking and packing the
orders, delivering them and then
coming home in the evening…
in time to do the invoicing and
paperwork .
With his brown overall literally falling
apart at the seams, he told a
customer, “It’s not worth buying
another one” a hint that he was
considering retirement several years
ago but couldn’t quite bring himself
to do it. With an impending hip
operation he has finally decided
enough is enough.
“I would just like to take this
opportunity to thank all my
customers and friends in the trade
for their wonderful support over the
last 54 years” said Mick.
Mick will not be leaving the trade
completely he will be working
part time for Charles Birch to
support their local representative
Nicola Zimnoch.
HADRIAN’S WALL CHALLENGE
On Friday 13th June Chris Wilson
and his “Layton Drive” team
including his son Steve will attempt
to walk the whole length of
Hadrian’s Wall in just three days - a
distance of 85.7 miles.
“Following the success of our
National Three Peaks Challenge two
years ago we decided it was time to
do another one.
Walking Hadrian’s Wall takes us over
some very challenging but also some
of the most beautiful countryside in
Britain, but at over a marathon per
day for three days this will certainly
be no picnic!” said Chris.
The group are walking in aid of the Jimmy Mizen
Foundation and all donations will be gratefully received on
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChrisWilson34
It can be argued that there has never been a better time to
be coding and cutting transponder car keys. In the past the
technology seemed to be too far behind the car
manufacturers so that you could only read and write the
codes on what seemed to be a small number of vehicles.
When on the seemingly odd
occasion you could the read the
codes you had to then choose
from over 15 different
transponder chips, hope that you
had the right one in stock and
had not miss filed them. Often a
lottery at best!
More recently technology has
improved with clever electronic
heads being able to code all
Phillips Crypto and Texas
transponders. The only problem
then was the price. With the
clever electronic head costing the
key cutter over £20.00 plus VAT
and the blade costing over £3.00
plus VAT the package was
costing over £30.00.
It became a massive stumbling
block when you said to a
customer; “That’ll be £59.95
please!” when most customers
expect everything in the shop to
be under a tenner! In the main
they simply shook their heads
with that “You’re having a laugh”
half smile on their faces, said
they would “think about it” and
never returned with their car key
again. Mostly they only wanted a
spare, so they often went without
and took their chances.
This has all changed with the
revolutionary Silca GTI chip. Not
only does it do the job of 14 of
the 18 transponder chips making
it much easier to select and stock
the right chips but it also costs a
little over half the price of the old
technology. With the Silca GTI
chip, blade and pod coming in
complete under £15.00 plus VAT
the key cutter can drop his selling
price accordingly.
With easy to install regular free
updates for the RW4 Plus and
Fast Copy Plus, Silca will keep
the key cutter up to date with
the latest technology in the
automotive market. The latest
update, number 71, even enables
the reading and coding of some
Megamos transponders for Kia
and Hyundai.
Stop Press
Finally if that wasn’t enough Silca
have produced three ranges of
keys so the retailer and customer
has a choice: The MH-TA two
part key, the Look a Like key and
the new Flip key. In addition Silca
have even produced Keyless keys
to replicate the BMW, Fiat and
Volvo originals.
28
Point
of sale is
always an
issue for
customers, so Silca in
partnership with their
distributors the Charles Birch
Group
have
produced
some
stunning
posters in
three
different
sizes and a window
sticker to promote the
transponder car key
Silca are pleased
coding and cutting
to announce the
service.
launch of their
With easy to use and
reliable technology, lowest
ever prices, great choice
of key designs and
dramatic posters there
really has never been a
better time to invest in car
key cutting.
brand new Car
Key Catalogue
No 4, which is
downloadable
free of charge
from
and www.silca.biz
29
ONE JASON PUNCHEON... THERE’S ONLY ONE JASON PUNCHEON!
Professional sport and shoe repairing
machinery don’t seem to be the most
natural bedfellows, but, over the years
Standard have dabbled very
occasionally with this glamorous
world.
Many years ago, presumably when
funds were on the low side, we often
sold cops of stitching thread to
Leicester City FC which they required
back then to re-stitch their training
footballs. Oh, the degradation!
In the last few years we have sold a
number of shoe-stretching devices to
some very big football clubs. In the
past a player might use the same pair
of boots for game after game and
season after season. The boot
becoming moulded to the foot through
continued use. It would seem that in
the present footballing climate boots
are worn and discarded more regularly.
30
I guess this explains the proliferation of
different coloured boots and player’s
habits of chopping and changing the
colour and design. More than likely,
boots also need replacing these days
to reflect the colours on the players
latest arm-length tattoo!
Football clubs have realised that with
boots now needed to be readily
playable much quicker that they
needed outside assistance. This is
where Standard Engineering comes in.
Mindful that a footballer’s feet are the
“tools of their trade”, we will invariably
get a call from a minion at the training
ground about a shoe/boot stretching
device, and we would sell and ship the
goods direct.
That team’s players would soon be
benefitting from comfortable football
boots, allowing their skilful feet to
dance merrily around the glorious
rectangles of hallowed turf around the
Premier League and winning games
for fun.
At least that’s the theory! In reality,
the last few clubs we have dealt with
include Reading, QPR and Wigan who
have all tumbled from the Premier
League! We also supplied Manchester
United, who have just suffered their
worst season since the mid-15th
Century. The only team who seem to
have benefitted from our assistance are
Southampton who have bought several
of our stretchers and have been
rewarded with a great season,
culminating in an appreciable number
of their players travelling with the
England squad to win the World Cup in
Brazil this year (note to self – this
sentence may need a slight revision).
We aren’t necessarily saying that
Standard are responsible for
Southampton’s upturn in fortunes, or
that the winning of the World Cup (see
above) is something we can claim for
ourselves, but it’s nice to be a (very
small) part of a greater success story!
One afternoon we were contacted by
our contact at “The Saints” asking if
we were prepared to sell one of our
stretchers direct to a player. A pretty
dumb question really! Of course we’d
sell direct to a Premier League
footballer! In many ways they are the
perfect customer – the delivery van
can easily find their place of work, and,
given they think nothing of buying a
new car/house every month, they don’t
complain about the cost of our little
machine!
The player in question was Jason
Puncheon, who had just gone out on
loan to Crystal Palace, who, at the
time, were on a one-way trip back to
the Championship. Within weeks of us
delivering his shoe-stretcher Jason
started to turn in some match-winning
performances for the “Eagles” who
suddenly gave themselves a fighting
chance of beating the drop.
Leaving aside Jason’s ahem, distinctly
underwhelming penalty kick at White
Hart Lane (which may still not have
come down!) he put in a number of
great performances at Selhurst Park,
scoring several vital goals. This upturn
in form had two noticeable effects.
For one, Palace eased up the league
table and finished the season well clear
of the relegation dog-fight.
The other result of Palace’s
improvement on the pitch was that our
Managing Director Keith Malyon
suddenly remembered he was a lifelong Eagles supporter, and every
Monday the rest of the office were
treated glowing praise of the continued
brilliance of his “boys”.
Gary Lewis
Standard Engineering
QUALITY IS NOT A LUXURY
Edegem, a suburb of Antwerp
(Belgium) has the tranquillity
of a village with the
advantages of a large city
nearby. Although it is not
really known for its shopping
facilities, many people come
from Antwerp, Brussels and
beyond, specially to have
their shoes repaired here at
Van Laer Shoe Repairs.
Marc van Laer and his wife have
run their shop in the Central
Square in Edegem for 13 years,
with the help of one employee.
Recently they were joined by
their son, Daan, who also works
in an orthopaedic workshop for
three days a week since finishing
his College training in
orthopaedics.
The repair shop has recently
been completely overhauled and
equipped with new machines.
The Van Laers had a clear vision
of how they wanted the ‘new’
shop to look. Marc told us that
he wanted to get away from the
idea of "a tiny shoe repairer
hidden away in a dirty corner"
and after redesigning and
decorating came the serious part
- then choosing new machines
for work area.
As soon as customers enter
through an extra wide revolving
door Marc’s preference for sleek
industrial design is obvious. He
used his practical skill to
construct the impressive new
counter himself from a clever
combination of wood and
concrete. The top is actually
composed of robust wooden
beams fastened together in a
simple but effective way.
The new work area again shows
Marc’s desire for quality and
fine materials.
He has always been fascinated
by Flexam machines and meeting
representatives of Jos America
at the trade show in Affligem,
Belgium and again at a Techno
Shoe day (one of the in-house
trade shows at Jos America in
Nieuwkuijk) convinced him to
buy. As his health and that of his
family and staff is important to
Marc, an effective dust
extraction unit was a must.
The simple answer was the V80
dust extraction system that
assures him of a clean and
healthy working environment.
The external dust extraction
system is placed outside the
workshop on an outside wall,
with an isolated cubicle built
around it. Inside, the Flexam S75,
SCL-I 105 and RSBP 140
Dynamic get all the attention
they deserve. Marc’s new
machine is equipped with a wide
centre section so several people
can work on the machine
simultaneously and the height
adjustment is also a welcome
option.
The whole, finished in silver grey
with black accents, seamlessly
fits in the design of the shop and
workshop. It is quite obvious that
here is a talented craftsman with
a real sense of quality.
“Many customers will drive an
extra block for craftsmanship.
Most of them immediately notice
the new machines”, says Marc
proudly.
For more details of how you
can modernise your shop
with Flexam machines go to
www.josamerica.com
31
BOB MITCHELL – MAN OF MYSTERY?
“I was almost 17 and was planning to start a
course at my local Technical College in the
Autumn. Actually I was just looking forward
to a lazy Summer! However, at the time I
was staying with my uncle who was the
MD of Odell Leather company, as the
company was called then and he simply
told me “We can’t have you waiting
around doing nothing until then, we’ll
find something for you to do!”
Now this isn’t what you might
think...there will be no tabloid
revelations here! However, those of
you who know Bob Mitchell of
Davies Odell will perhaps be
surprised to read that he recently
celebrated 51 years with the
company that he joined as a teenager
...on a temporary basis.
Despite his vast experience in the shoe repair
trade Bob doesn’t seem to relish being in the
limelight, and rarely gives interviews. I have
suggested to him in the past that he would make
a good candidate for our regular ‘Spotlight’
feature but he has always politely turned the
offer down.
International Connections
He is something of a ‘Man of Mystery’ with
International connections and apparent notoriety
(more of which later!), so I was pleased to hear
that as he has now almost reached the end of
his career with Davies Odell he was willing to
share with us just a few of his memories of the
shoe repair trade and of some of the people he
has worked and in many cases have remained
his firm friends for decades.
I have only known Bob for six years since I
became editor of Cutting Edge but whenever we
meet he always makes me feel that I am a friend
too. I was first introduced to him at the last of
the Cutting Edge Exhibitions to be held at the old
Wicksteed Park venue in Kettering. I was
immediately struck by his self-effacing manner,
his polite charm and his ready smile. It is
unfortunately quite rare to meet a true
gentleman in business these days but in Bob’s
case I think everyone who has been lucky enough
to meet him will agree that he is just that.
But that’s enough of the schmaltz (I’ll bet you
agree Bob?) and on with the story...
So where do we start? I thought it was probably
best to let Bob tell us in his own words so I
recently spent a pleasant hour chatting to him
and first I asked him how he got his job at the
company.
32
“So within days I had joined the
company and soon my ambitions to
travel and see the world were put
to one side – at least for a while.
Before my uncle intervened I’d
applied for a job at a local Travel
Agency but heard nothing until
about six weeks later I got an
invitation for an interview. I went
along confident I’d get the job. In
fact I’d told Uncle that I wouldn’t be
staying with Odell much longer.
Unfortunately my dreams were
shattered when I was told I was too old
– at 17! They wanted someone sixteen
and a half so that they didn’t have to pay
them full whack and the delay in getting to see
them meant I had had another birthday. So I had
to stay with my job ... just until something better
came along, of course!”
Mindful of his reputation I asked “ I heard you
were involved in some sort of a coup early in
your career, Bob?”
“A coop. Not a coup.” He said with a smile. “I
spent my early years helping to look after 40,000
egg laying chichens! Even back in the Sixties all
was not great in the leather trade and so
although Odell’s core business was leather
tanning the Board decided to diversify and as
one of my cousins who also worked there had a
background in agriculture it seemed like a good
idea. Unfortunately the project fell ‘fowl’ of
problems – mainly in the shape of a huge pile of
chicken poo..! In 1966 the holding pit was
almost overflowing and locals were complaining
bitterly about bowsers dropping piles of the
stinking stuff on their way down the High Street
so the department just had to close...There was
some good news in ‘66 though. A fantastic
footballing victory made my year...”
“Yes, England won the World Cup. ”I
commented. “Much better than that...” he
explained.
Bright lights of Paris
“My local team, Northampton Town (The
Cobblers) got their first win in the old first
division against West Ham 2-1 away! I’ll never
forget hearing the news on my transistor radio
on the train travelling back from the Shoe Repair
Exhibition at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
That was the last of those exhibitions for over 10
years but by the late Seventies I’d become quite
used to exhibitions, and I’d started to achieve my
ambition to travel. The best of the junkets...
sorry, the trade and fact finding missions ... was
the Semaine de Cuir in Paris. It was literally ‘a
week of leather’, the most important event in the
for Bob, or Robert John Mitchell as the US Immigration officials know
him. He has been stopped and interrogated six times and has missed
several internal flights in an ongoing case of mistaken identity.
Apparently there is an ‘undesirable character’ at large and wanted by
the USA by the name of Robert John Mitchell. Bob assures me it is
not him. I think I believe him ! His visits to Russia have been much
more successful. It is there that he met his fiancée!
A poignant but joyful time
Many of these friends and colleagues in the trade were brought
together recently for what was apparently a poignant but joyful
occasion.
calendar for everyone in the leather
trade. The evenings in at The Moulin
Rouge weren’t bad either!”
Exciting Times
The Seventies were an exciting time for
Bob. He had become used to travelling far
and wide but one business trip sticks out for
him. “I’ve been going to Ireland for about
forty years and I love the place and the
people. I have to admit I was scared though
when I was sent to Belfast at the height of
‘The Troubles’ to visit three wholesalers.
One was on the Crumlin Road not far from
the infamous Gaol. I was staggered to see the
premises wreathed in barbed wire! As far as I
know I was one of just three salesmen from
England who made the trip to Northern Ireland.
One other was Eric Wilson. I’m pleased to say he
and I became friends and that same connection
continues with his son Chris who has taken the
Charles Birch Group to great things.
About seven years ago Bob underwent an operation to remove a
malignant spot from behind his ear. All seemed to have gone well
and he continued to work enthusiastically past his ‘official’ retirement
age. I remember visiting him two years ago at Davies Odell when he
joked “They just don’t seem to be able to get rid of me!”
However, some of you might know that in October last year Bob was
diagnosed with what he was told is late phase melanoma. It was
discovered that the disease had spread through his blood system to
his liver. Despite this, Bob has continued to work on a part time basis
while undergoing experimental treatment at Oxford Churchill hospital.
NOW SUPER DARK GETS
BESPOKE COLOUR OPTION
Personalised colours now
available for high quality
pin tops.
Northamptonshire
based manufacturer
and repair trade
suppliers Davies
Odell have now
added the
option to choose
bespoke colours
to their Super
Dark Pin Top
range for that
extra special
personalised
finish!
The high quality PU
Super Dark pin tops are available to
order in any colour by request and
with the ability to manufacture at the
Rushden factory, lead times and
minimum quantities are being kept to
a minimum.
host of other new products the Super
Dark colour option was an obvious
choice to add to the product line up,
we have already received orders with
some really exciting and vibrant
colour variations”
Commenting on the new coloured
Super Dark finishes Davies Odell
sales manager Tim Soloman said
“We have had a busy winter and
after numerous requests from
customers decided that amongst a
For more information on the colour
Super Dark pin tops or to receive a
copy of the new product brochure
please contact Davies Odell on
01933 410818 or
www.daviesodell.co.uk
He has already surpassed the original prognosis. Professor Mark
Middleton, leads an international research team at Oxford, Bob’s lead
doctor is Australian and main research nurse is from Spain.
To celebrate this milestone Bob recently invited over 100 of the
people who mean most to him from which 82 – family, friends,
neighbours as well as customers and suppliers who he has known
and liked for many years – to join him at his favourite hotel , The
Ballymascanlon House Hotel near Dundalk for three days of ‘craic’.
Young Bob way back when !
In the Seventies the company diversified again
into producing leather handbags as well as
providing materials for quality shoe
manufacturers and repairers. Bob spent ten
years with handbags in hand (!) going around
stores mainly in the West End in London. “That
was until Margaret Thatcher, ironically famous
for her handbags, increased purchase tax from
8% to VAT on them at 15% and the buyers at
Selfridges, Debenhams, etc., decided to switch
allegiance to Italian manufacturers.”
The Vibram Connection
Bob is on friendly terms with some Italians
though. He has had an excellent long relationship
with Vibram who supply Davies Odell with their
famous soles. He has travelled the world with
Davies Odell (the company merged with Davies &
Co in the mid Nineties) and he has made dozens
of business contacts – and friends – in countries
such as Japan, Taiwan, China, Germany, Italy,
Hong Kong, Hungary, Cyprus, South Africa,
Russia, the USA and many more.
Recent visits to the USA have not been so good
“I was just sorry I couldn’t ask more to join us. I’ve been going there
for more than thirty years and have seen it grow from a place with a
dozen rooms to a 90 room hotel and spa with its own 18 hole golf
course, pool and tennis courts. It was the perfect venue for a get
together. I hope everyone enjoyed the event as much as I did. There
were guests from ten nationalities and many had never met before
but everyone got on well. I think it was best summed up with the
sight of my Russian fiancée’s son being taught how to play golf, a
Scottish game, by an Italian speaking English on an Irish golf course!”
An absolute delight
“I was glad to be able to thank the owners for their hospitality over
the years, but more importantly I was able to thank many of the
friends I’ve made during my time at Davies Odell... and it gave them
the opportunity to tell me what they really think about me! Am I
really so bad at time keeping and directions? OK maybe those forty
unfortunates who followed me up the Cooley Mountains might just
have been right..!”
“Despite what some people said about me...” said Bob with a wry
grin as we finished our conversation, ”although I’ve worked for one
company there have been many aspects to my job and I’ve worked
with various trades - from poultry farming to fashion leather
handbags, to sport body armour - there is nothing to compare with
working with the Shoe Repair Industry. It might be quirky, but it
certainly has been an absolute delight.”
I am sure we all wish Bob all the very best and all the luck in
the world as he continues his treatment and I for one hope
we will still be encouraged and entertained by one of the
nicest characters in the business for a long time to come.
Cheers Bob !
33
Shoe Dynasty
After two decades career in
the shoe industry, when
Caroline Collins founded
Shoestring in 1989 she had
always known that she was
the 3rd generation in the
family to work in the shoe
industry.
But after some digging around
and with the assistance of her
father, she discovered that her
grandfather had played a more
important role in the lives of so
many people. Here she shares a
little of the family history and the
connections that it has made with
the industry over the decades.
John Marriott, Caroline Collins' father, holding the engraved
silver tray that George was presented with upon his retirement
34
Caroline’s Grandfather, George
Marriott was born in September
1906 and although he started a
family tradition of working in the
shoe industry, that was not
necessarily how it might have
worked out. His father was a
professional footballer and
cyclist. But when George
was approached to play
professionally by several football
clubs, he turned them down flat.
It might seem a strange decision
Some families have deeper connections
to the shoe industry than others.
nowadays but there wasn’t quite
so much money in the game in
those days - in 1920 the
maximum wage for football
players stood at £4.50 a week.
After leaving school at 14 he
worked for several firms building
up experience within the
financial sector. In fact at that
early age George had become
the main wage earner because
his father was suffering from ill
health and had to abruptly halt
his career at a relatively early
age. For the next 9 years he
worked with different firms in
various financial roles. But it was
not until 1929 that he started
working within the shoe industry
– although he started off
through the back door. Eaton
and Co a Northampton based
shoe firm was deemed to be
only ‘marginally profitable’ and
so its bank, The National &
Provincial, appointed George to
act on their behalf and issue
regular financial statements. As
fate would have it he spent the
rest of his career there.
But the growth caused by
prosperity and peace did not last for
long. After the outbreak of war in
1939, production was switched
from domestic shoes to mainly
military production. The factory
helped out in the war effort by
working for the RAF. Its speciality
was footwear for aircrew where
they supplied fur lined boots for
mainly pilots. One innovation that
the firm designed was that the
boots contained a knife blade in the
heel so that if the plane was shot
down, it could be used to cut /
convert the boot into a walking
shoe.
The decade after the war proved to
be a golden era for the firm.
Through mixture of innovation and
acquisition by 1955 it employed
over 1,000 staff across 7 factories.
Caroline and her Grandad
By 1933 he was appointed
General Manager of Eatons and
the next 5 years proved a very
successful time because by
1938 the firm had doubled in
size. It was a time of rapid
expansion in UK manufacturing
with good times returning after
the great depression and
mechanisation improving
production methods and profits.
As a representative on behalf of the
footwear industry he took up
several positions. In 1945 he was
elected to the labour & industrial
committee, becoming its chair in
1950. It was a position he held for
the next 25 years until he retired.
Upon retiring he was presented
with a silver tray that was signed
by all the MDs and owners from the
major shoe manufacturer and
suppliers in the country at the time
(see photo on page 34).
The tray reads like a who’s who of
the British shoe industry from the
1950s Like Eatons it has many
names on there that were familiar
at the time but have long since
disappeared.
After his retirement from the shoe
industry, George took an active part
in local government and was
elected as an independent to
Northamptonshire County Council.
His work in organising their finances
and long service earned him a CBE.
When George Marriott passed
away in March 1987 warm tributes
were paid to him by many senior
industry figures within the shoe
industry. And despite his success
within the shoe industry and his
various industry honour, one of his
proudest achievements was setting
a new record at Rushden Golf Club
when he was 79 years of age.
Caroline Collins
is MD of
Shoestring,
based in
Market
Harborough.
Leicestershire.
The company,
specialises in
manufacturing
a wide range of shoelaces and are
the exclusive UK and Eire
distributors for the brands Woly and
Silver Shoe Care products.
TIMPSON AND TESCO
MAKE HISTORY
A landmark event took place at
Baguley, Wythenshawe, on
Monday 20th January, when
Timpson open their latest branch
in conjunction with Tesco.
This was Timpson’s 1,000th shop,
located in the car park near to the
Tesco store’s main entrance, which,
in a remarkable coincidence is on the
precise spot occupied by the
Timpson Shoe Warehouse from 1963
until 1987 before the shoe shops
were sold, the warehouse
demolished and then replaced by the
Tesco store. Timpson Chairman,
John Timpson comments, “I worked
there for 24 years, it
feels like coming
home”.
The services have proved popular
with Tesco customers and the two
companies plan to strengthen the
partnership this year.
Commenting on the tie up with
Tesco John Timpson said, “Our
partnership with Tesco works well
for us, works well for Tesco and
most of all is popular with their
customers.”
Timpson started as a shoe shop
business in the 1865 when John’s
Great Grandfather opened his first
shop in Oldham Street, Manchester,
almost 150 years later it is still a
family business.
Tesco and Timpson
have worked
together for some
time, with
Timpson’s Shoe
Repairs, Dry
Cleaning, Key
Cutting, Watch
Repairs and
Engraving already
present in 125
Tesco supermarkets.
35
EURO
TROPHEX
SHOW
2014
THE
PTA, Amsterdam
25th - 27th October
Awards. engraving and much more
On October 25th Euro Trophex
will open its doors. This
prestigious exhibition takes
place every other year and is
Europe’s largest trophy, awards
and personalisation event. Euro
Trophex runs over three days
and with everything under one
roof it’s the perfect opportunity
to see new technology months
ahead of hitting the market, find
the newest trends for the
coming season and compare the
latest machines and innovations
in the industry. Euro Trophex
attracts international decision
makers and buyers making this
event the ideal place to source
the latest products and services
and get the inspiration you need
to make your business stand out
from the crowd.
36
EURO TROPHEX 2014
MORE EXHIBITORS AND
NEW AREAS ADDED TO
EURO TROPHEX 2014!
Euro Trophex takes place from 25th
to 27th October 2014. The show
returns to the PTA in Amsterdam, the
Netherlands. The PTA is set in an
ideal location within walking distance
of the city centre. It can be easily
reached by car, train or tram and is
just a 20 minute car journey from
Schiphol airport.
A new area at the show this year
will be the Industry Awareness Zone.
This area was first introduced at
Trophex back in January of this year.
Here a number of seminars took
place over the course of this
exhibition and proved very popular
with visitors. A similar programme
will be put in place at Euro Trophex
2014 with CorelDRAW,
TheMagicTouch and SignSeen
already signed up to take part in
this with more companies to be
confirmed!
A new exhibitor to the show for
2014 is Yiwu Phoenix Trophy Co.,
Limited. Based in Yiwu in China, the
company is a professional
manufacturer and exporter of
trophies, medals, arts and crafts.
Known for its small commodities,
the company can provide customers
with high quality products at very
competitive prices. Committed to
meeting customers’ needs, they
have an extensive range of products
featuring excellent craftsmanship,
reasonable prices and prompt
delivery. Yiwu Phoenix Trophy Co.
strictly observes international trade
rules and regulations, and believes in
honest and ethical business
practices. Besides this, they also
believe in high-efficiency business
management principles and are
always seeking like-minded
companies to cooperate with.
Returning to the show is Acris
Sportpokal GmbH. The company
last exhibited in 2010 and are
specialists in producing and
refining glass trophies. They
offer high quality custom products
and a comprehensive assortment
of trophies and awards in glass
including golf trophies, clocks,
medals and awards and
prestige gifts.
Versatility in Print are newcomers to
Euro Trophex, although they have in
the past exhibited at Trophex, our UK
show. They have 20 years of
experience, specialising in digital
printing, graphic design and hot foil
printing. A family run company, they
target both small and medium size
companies. Their ethos is to give
good value for money and advice to
their customers to fulfil their
requirements without having to
spend a fortune, and to ensure that
they get the right style of printed
media to suit their particular
business needs.
So don’t miss out on this great
opportunity - register and book
your space today!
Pre-register online at:
www.eurotrophex.com
and visit us on
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
EuroTrophex or Twitter
@Eurotrophex.
For further information about either visiting or exhibiting at
Trophex 2014, please contact the organisers:
Visitors Contact: Alison Cyster-White, Tel: +44 (0) 1442 826826
E-mail: alisoncwhite@aol.com
Exhibitors Contact: Colin Gallimore, Tel: +44 (0) 1442 826826
E-mail: colingallimore@aol.com
www.eurotrophex.com
37
Classified
Web Directory
ADHESIVES
KEYS & KEY CUTTING
REQUIRE
TOP CLASS
STAFF
www.quickfixadhesives.com
Full details of Quickfix’s range of adhesives
for the Shoe Repair trade including a
number of video demonstrations.
SHOE CARE
To work full or part-time in their prestigious London shops
www.davenport-burgess.com
www.keyprint.co.uk
Davenport - Burgess are the UK’s leading
specialist suppliers key blanks (over
18million in stock !), keys, key cutting
equipment and locksmith’s tools plus a
wide range of locking devices.
We specialise in every aspect of our trade
and not only offer the best, most reliable
products with excellent support, but also
have a next day delivery service available.
Keyprint is a leading trade only supplier to
the UK’s lock and key cutting industry
with over 25 years experience. Over
9000 products in stock including leading
global brands such as Silca, Assa,
Schlage and Briton, as well as exclusive
brands of quality security products
2000+ Premier, Esla, WKS, Wendt and
Peterson Tools.
Must have good experience in any of the following skills:
• Engraving
• Quality Shoe Repair
• Patching
• Key Cutting
• Zip Replacement
• Locksmithing
• Watch & Jewellery Repairs • Dry Cleaning
TO SELL OR NOT TO SELL
THAT IS THE QUESTION!
SHOECARE WILL BE PLEASED
TO SPEAK TO ANYONE WHO IS
SELLING THEIR QUALITY SHOE
REPAIR BUSINESS
CALL RICHARD TAYLOR
07786 980397
Good rates of pay plus bonus for the right applicants
Send your CV to info@jamesshoecare.co.uk or
call 020 7476 2722 to arrange an interview.
ENGRAVING MACHINES WANTED
www.dunkelman.com
The DASCO website – full details of the
comprehensive range of shoe care
products for cleaning, protecting and
maintaining the appearance of footwear
and accessories, plus a wide selection of
insoles, laces, shoe trees and bootshapers
www.shoestringuk.co.uk
Full e-commerce online purchase of a
massive range of laces and a full range of
shoe care. Information on displays and
point of sale material too.
WHOLESALERS
www.nwkeys.co.uk
www.skskeys.co.uk
Full range of keys, security products and
machinery. Order online with a unique add
to your order each day system. If it’s keys
online you want this site has them all.
Dedicated lock and key supplies site with
e-commerce on machines, accessories,
padlocks and specialised security and
locksmith products.
If you know your Keys and are
looking for a career change, we
have a vacancy for a sales rep
in the following area :Southern England
Package includes a good basic salary,
commission, car, phone & all expenses
Please contact Richard Hawkins for further
information 01442 291400 or richard@sks.co.uk
Manual & computerised machines complete or incomplete by Gravograph, Suregrave, Mastergrave,
Signature, U-Marq, Newing Hall,
Dahlgren, etc.
Please contact:
RONA MACHINES
tel: 01992 899 255
email: sales@ronamachines.co.uk
REPAIR MACHINERY
www.standardgroup.co.uk
www.algeos.com
Algeos (A. Algeo Ltd) is the UK’s leading
supplier to the orthopaedic, shoe making,
and footcare industries. Our product
portfolio totals over 7000 product lines and
includes several key European agencies for
high-technology footwear materials and
components.
Europe’s premier manufacturer of new shoe
repair machinery. We build bespoke new and
fully reconditioned equipment in the UK for
sale here and abroad. We offer nationwide
service cover, backed-up with the country’s
largest parts and consumables stores. Our
website features complete machinery
brochures, offers, tips and advice and is
regularly maintained and updated.
Full details of the product range covering
shoe care, machinery, keys, engraving,
watch straps and batteries plus monthly
special offers and a full range of Zippo
products to order on-line.
INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS
www.leatherandgrindery.com
For all your Shoe Repair, Shoe care & Key
cutting needs plus fantastic monthly offers
the Leather & Grindery have it all. Our new
easy to use website is just a few clicks
away from saving you a bundle &
discovering all the latest products available.
38
www.tcolledgeandson.com
With over 20,000 lines in stock and an easy
to use search facility, everything for the
modern shoe repairer is a click-away. As
well as offering a comprehensive range of
shoe repair materials, a full range of shoe
care products, key blanks, key machines,
leather goods, watch straps and batteries,
engravable products and gifts are available.
www.msauk.biz
www.shoerepairer.info
SoMSR and MSA site with full information
for members, code of practice downloads
and membership search engine.
Online community forum site for all
members of the trade. Not linked with any
trade body, manufacturer or supplier. Run by
Lee Ffrench on a voluntary basis to provide
for an exchange of ideas and thoughts.
Footwear Independents Territory Manager
South of England. Ideally Based M4 Corridor
Cherry Blossom was established in 1906, is the only British Shoe Polish
manufacturer and enjoys 68% consumer recall in the UK. The award winning
Cherry Blossom Premium Shoe Care range was launched in early 2011 and is
currently enjoying meteoric growth within its target market, the Footwear
Specialist trades.
As part of an aggressive growth plan we are now seeking an ambitious,
driven and energetic individual that will form part of a dynamic team focused
on increasing our market share within the Footwear Independents sector.
The ideal candidate may already be servicing this market channel and looking
for the right opportunity to develop their career within field sales territory
management.
For the right candidate we can offer an exciting career path within a fast
growing and dynamic business. The role comes with a Competitive Salary,
Company Car, Mobile, Laptop and usual benefits.
If you have passion and are hungry for success then please forward your
CV and covering letter to; info@cherryblossom.co.uk.
HR Department,
Granger’s International,
Grange Close,
Clover Nook Industrial Park,
Alfreton,
Derbyshire. DE55 4QT.
BUSINESS FOR SALE
BUSINESS FOR SALE
Business for sale due to
Retirement Shoe Repair, Key
Cutting Engraving & Watch
Repairs. Established for 20
years in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Well maintained flat above the
shop. Confidential sale. Initial
details to Genuine parties only
Email:
work@comfootandkeys.co.uk
Established & profitable
leasehold business for sale.
Market town location. Shoe
Repairs, key cutting,
trophies, leather goods.
Average weekly turnover
£1,600 with potential to do
more.
Offers around £65,000
Details to genuine parties
Email: P4MYH@yahoo.com
Tel: 07581 140217
39
(r.r.p.)

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