Geovana Pagel
São Paulo – Falacal is a shoe factory from the city of Birigui, in the southeastern state of São Paulo, currently one of the main infant shoe poles in Latin America. With 13 years in operation, the company target for 2004 is to return to trading with the Arab countries and increase sales to Arab countries like Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia – which imported US$ 100,000 in shoes from the Brazilian factory, over three years.
The first step may be the selection of an export agent, or a potential local distributor. "We need a specialist. A person who breathes shoes all day," stated Fernando Zitko Alves, company commercial manager.
Falacal saw the potential of the Arab world while still a member of a Birigui shoe producer export consortium, supported by the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex).
"In 2001 we participated in a sector fair in Sharja. In 2002 and 2003 we participated in both editions of the Motexha international fair in Dubai," recalls the manager.
This year, Alves stated that the company is planning to participate in the sector fair in Dubai, this time, however, as a visitor, not an exhibitor. "Our great purpose is to find an agent, or a potential local distributor, so that we can establish a partnership," he explains. "We believe that this is also the best way to solve the language problem," evaluated the manager.
Motexha, the leading fashion and textiles trade event in the Middle East, takes place twice a year, in April (spring) and September (autumn) at the DWTC exhibition centre in Duabi.
Targets
The factory employs 50 people and has revenues of around US$ 350,000 a year, being 30% export revenue.
According to Alves, the target is to increase company production and revenues, yet not modifying the percentage dedicated to the domestic and international markets, as they want to continue focusing mainly on the domestic market.
Falacal produces a variety of different products, "with quality and comfort that only the main specialist can offer," guaranteed the manager. The product line is made up basically of sandals, clogs, tennis shoes, and babuches.
Contact
(+5518) 3642.4594
falacal@uol.com.br
www.falacal.com.br
