São Paulo – Three years ago, Calçados Radamés, a Brazilian maker of male shoes headquartered in Franca, in the interior of the state of São Paulo, has started selling to the Arabs. The company has already exported to Egypt, Lebanon and Palestine, and currently has clients in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Libya.
“We participate in international fairs in Brazil, like Francal and Couromoda, and, also abroad, like Micam, in Italy. Now, we are participating in fairs in China, but Arab clients travel more to fairs in Brazil and Italy,” explained Maurício Avila, the company export manager.
Radamés produces dress and casual shoes, as well as moccasin. “They are top quality leather shoes,” said the executive. The company has two factories and, in total, produces over 473,000 pairs of shoes a year.
Of the company’s complete production, 10% is exported. According to Avila, the Arabs still represent a small share of foreign sales, but there are good chances for greater business.
“They are on the rise, as we are starting with a large client in Saudi Arabia. We have already closed the shipment of 1,920 pairs to a large chain of shops. We are working to increase this percentage,” said the manager. Radamés shoes are not exported to distributors in the Arab world, but directly to retailers.
Apart from the Arab countries, Radamés also exports to countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, China, Thailand, Switzerland, Vietnam and Mongolia. The countries of Latin America, says Avila, are the main destinations for the company’s foreign sales.
In 12 years of existence, Radamés has 300 employees and average revenues of R$ 2.2 million (US$ 1.1 million) a year.
Contact
Calçados Radamés
E-mail: mauricioexport@netsite.com.br
Telephone: (+55 16) 3707-3022
Site: www.radames.ind.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
