There is an old Indian proverb "There is nothing noble in feeling superior to some other person. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self".

In this second edition of newsletter we nave tried to focus the areas where a great deal of improvement is necessary.

This issue will help the component industry in evaluating one's self and in benchmarking the industry with the industries of other countries. The opinions expressed by Mr. Flemming Brond, Senior Vice President, Ecco are quite sincere and will help a lot in retrospection of our industry.

The future of the footwear industry belongs to the innovations and the technological upgradation. Working in unison, for foot- wear and for component industry is absolutely essential and through this newsletter we are looking forward to bridge the al- ready existing difference of opinion in these two industries. We once again invite the various suggestions, opinions, guidance from our readers.

Editorial Board


B.D.Bhaiya
Pradeep Aggarwal

Send your feedback,comments to: The Editor IFCOMA FDDI Complex, A-10/A, Sector-24, NOIDA - 201301, India. Tel: +91-120-4411224 Fax: +91-120-4411572 Email: Ifcoma@vsnl.com Website : www.ifcoma.org

Mr. Flemming Brond is the Senior Vice-President of ECCO Denmark, responsible for manufacturing and resourcing of shoes at their own factories and partners worldwide. He holds responsibility for Indian operation. He is carrying with him an experience of more than 35 years in footwear industry. Excerpts of his role in taking his Company to the newer heights and his advise to the component industry from an interview held in Chennai - in ECCO's regional office with Mr. B.D. Bhaiya, Vice President and Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Joint Secretary. IFCOMA.

IFCOMA: ECCO is a big name in international footwear, though a small presence in India. Can you tell us more about ECCO?

FB: In 1963 Karl Toosbuy founded ECCO in rural Denmark (Bredebro) and is still owned by Toosbuy family. Not counting the employees of more than 3,000 shops worldwide, we are employing approximately 9,000 people around the world producing 12 million pairs of shoes every year That makes ECCO one of the largest shoe brands in the world.
Today ECCO is a global brand. We have a strong retail concept, which we strengthen through co-operation with partners as well as shops of our own. At the end of 2003, we were holding 395 ECCO shops, 763 shop-in-shops, 2,000 points of sale and 31 Factory outlets around the world.

IFCOMA: You had made your first presence in India almost 25 years back. How do you perceive the Indian market in terms of footwear sourcing?

FB: We started producing our most fast moving and quality brand "JOKE", "FREE" and "TIME" way back in 1978. Since then, there had not been looking back. We started using Indian raw materials, which were most suitable for lining, but through special techniques we got - based on the construction - a very successful shoe type This itself showed our commitment in making India as our next generation procurement base.

IFCOMA: You are one of the top brands in the footwear segment Could you tell us something about your future strategies in relation with India?

FB: To ensure that every single wearer of ECCO shoes has the perfect walking experience, no matter what the weather or conditions, we utilize state of the art technology in the design, development and production of our sandals, shoes and boots. We work in close relationship with our vendors across the globe. The Investment