São Paulo – Saudi Arabia is the leading foreign market for shoe company Savelli Calçados. The enterprise based in Franca, in the interior of the state of São Paulo, started selling to the Arab country two years ago. Presently, 3,000 pairs of shoes are shipped to the country each month and the goal is to sell even further.
The company has an exclusive reseller in Saudi Arabia. According to Marcel Mendes, the commercial director with Savelli, the Saudi client owns more than 50 stores, aside from which he resells the Brazilian shoes to other countries in the region, such as Oman and Kuwait.
“We want to strengthen our work with this client and grow along with him. We want to make him loyal. We have great expectations there. This year, we are intent on doubling [sales],” says the executive. The company produces 10,000 shoe pairs each month, of which 70% are exported.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, Savelli exports to Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia and Venezuela. The foreign contacts were made by attending major domestic shoe industry fairs, such as Couromoda and Francal, both held in São Paulo.
“We focus on comfortable shoes and that was what they were looking for,” says Mendes of his Saudi client. “Now we get feedback from him and develop the product based on his market needs.” The executive adds that Savelli is in touch with a company based in the United Arab Emirates, but no deal has been closed yet.
To boost exports, Savelli is keeping an eye out for events abroad. “In 2013 we will maybe start going to international fairs,” he says.
The company’s output is expected to increase as well. According to Mendes, in 2012 the target is to make 12,000 to 13,000 pairs of shoes. In 2013, the company wants to manufacture up to 16,000 pairs per month, while keeping the export volume at 70% of production. Established in 2004, Savelli has 35 employees.
Contact
Savelli Calçados
Tel.: +55 16 3703-5493
Email: marcel@savellicalcados.com.br and vendas@savellicalcados.com.br
Site: www.savellicalcados.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
