São Paulo – The rubber shoe manufacturing company Boaonda, based in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, started exporting to the Arab countries in 2012. Since then it has sold to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco and Egypt. Now, the company is in touch with a distributor in Tunisia, aiming to expand its presence in the region.
According to Export manager Cássio Romani, the company was contacted by the Tunisian distributor during Expo Riva Schuh, held in Italy last month. “It was a great contact. We will start sending prices and samples and perhaps by mid-year we will have an actual order placed. This was one of our best connections at the fair,” he said.
According to the executive, if the partnership comes to pass, the distributor will likely start selling in Tunisia’s domestic market to “check which products have the best acceptance,” before shipping the shoes to other African countries.
The company makes injected rubber shoes for women, men and children. Men’s shoes are the best seller in Saudi, while Emirati and Omani buyers import all types.
“What we sell is comfort, something which enables a better day-to-day, since you must work, you must wear shoes. We are looking to provide comfort across all niches, from classic shoes to fashion,” said Romani.
The company exports to 30 countries and its leading markets are Turkey, Puerto Rico, Spain, Panama, Cuba and Chile. The executive does not disclose how many pairs the company makes each month, but says 25% of the output gets shipped abroad.
The manager explains that sales to the Middle East resulted from contacts made directly at international fairs, whereas the sales to Morocco and Egypt were small scale, with intermediation from a European distributor. Presently, the company has a Brazilian representative in Dubai, who takes care of sales in the Emirates.
“We are highly focused on that market,” said Romani regarding Arab countries. The manager says the company has attended a fair in Saudi Arabia, and it should send representatives to the country in the first half this year. He is also hoping to attract further Arab clients during Mican, an industry fair held in Milan, Italy.
Boaonda is based in the city of Sapiranga, Rio Grande do Sul, has been active for 20 years, and employs 350 people.
Contact
Boaonda
Tel.: +55 51 3529-8482
Email: cassio@boaonda.com.br
Website: www.boaonda.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
