São Paulo – Men’s shoes manufacturing company Ferracini, based in Franca, in Brazil’s São Paulo state, ships product to three Arab countries and plans on increasing its sales to the region. According to the company’s foreign trade analyst Valessa Lourenço, the brand is going to fairs attended by Arab importers and doing development work targeting these potential buyers.
Ferracini exhibited its products at footwear fair FN Platform, held this month in Las Vegas, United States, and got in touch with Saudi executives. “We did not close any deals, but the outlook for this year is good,” the analyst says. The brand already exports to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, in the Arab world.
Ferracini showcased its products at FN Platform alongside a group of Brazilian shoe companies affiliated with the Brazilian Footwear export program, sponsored by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados) and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil). Apart from the Franca-based company, other Brazilian enterprises at the fair got in touch with Saudis, according to Abicalçados.
Lourenço explains that Ferracini has had Arab customers for several years now, and gained market share in the region by attending trade shows. However, Arab countries do not account for a significant export volume. “Sales to Arab countries are very important to Ferracini, but only account for 5% of our foreign sales, since other markets are stronger,” the analyst says.
She says the Arab market favours the brand’s comfort lines. Ferracini makes men’s shoes of several types, including dress, casual, sports, boots, sandals and moccasins. The company also makes men’s items such as belts, wallets, socks, purses, sunglasses and watches.
In Arab countries, Ferracini sells direct to stores and occasionally via agents. The company has own stores in some countries, like Chile, Ecuador and Australia. In Brazil, Ferracini sells its shoes at multi-brand outlets and owns only one exclusive store in Franca, where its headquarters are located.
Ferracini exports 20% of its output to more than 50 countries. The leading destinations are Chile, Australia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic and Norway, according to the company’s foreign trade analyst. Ferracini ranks among Brazil’s best-known men’s shoe brands.
The company’s manufacturing operations are spread throughout three units: the headquarters in Franca and two facilities in the state of Minas Gerais. Ferracini has 1,500 direct and indirect collaborators. The company was founded in 1984.
Contact:
Ferracini
Website: www.ferracini.com.br
Telephone: (+55 16) 3711 0571
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
