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by Graphite Capital), Kurt Geiger’s strategy of investment and brand growth has led to increases in revenues and profits, in addition to the doubling of the number of Kurt Geiger stores to 60. Kurt Geiger has established a presence in the Middle East, including stores across Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar, Russia and Turkey. Neil Clifford said: “Kurt Geiger has experienced exceptional growth over the last five years via the expansion of the core business and commitment to increasing our global presence. We have developed a strong relationship with Jones and recognise it as an established designer, retailer and wholesaler in the US. Jones has a clear track record of supporting and growing its brands, and we are confident that we have found the right strategic partner to help evolve our business. We look forward to leveraging our global infrastructures to bring the Kurt Geiger and the Jones Group brands to more audiences worldwide.”

Bayer MaterialScience develops “green shoe” concept B ayer MaterialScience, based in Germany, has developed a unique concept for what it calls a “green shoe” that uses a number of sustainable materials and technologies. These include polyurethane (PU) raw materials based on natural resources, products for solvent-free coatings and adhesives, and a polycarbonate blend and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) based on renewable resources. Up to 90% of all components in the ‘Ecotrekker’ concept shoe can be given eco-compatible properties by using the company’s products, Bayer Material Science claims.

Another element of the green shoe concept are microcellular polyurethane elastomer systems for outer soles and midsoles, in which the proportion of renewable raw materials is as high as 70%.

The firm claims its green concept also offers health and safety benefits for shoe manufacturers. The waterborne coating and adhesive products are solvent-free and the

polyurethane products used do not contain any heavy metals.

TPU films from the Dureflex range from Bayer MaterialScience form a vapour-permeable membrane to reinforce the inner sole, without using plasticisers.

Several years ago the company opened a global footwear competence centre in Shanghai which is equipped with facilities for footwear applications. The centre develops innovative materials and technologies for the shoe industry. The concept shoe was developed there in close collaboration with the Simple Factory Group.

Formal opening of WRAP office in Bangladesh S ocial and environmental compliance certification and training organisation WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) has held a ceremony and special dinner to mark the official opening of its office in Dhaka and has promised that it will extend its certification programme to footwear manufacturers in the Asian country. The ceremony took place in the Bangladeshi capital in mid-May, with the country’s minister for commerce, Faruk Khan, presiding over the ribbon-cutting.

“Bangladesh has become an international powerhouse in the textiles and apparel sector,” said WRAP chief executive, Steve Jesseph, at the ceremony. “As international brands and retailers increasingly rely upon our certification to meet their compliance needs, we wanted to have a local office to better serve the factories and management, and to provide a wider range of training services to benefit all factories in Bangladesh. We are investing in Bangladesh and plan to hire additional staff in the near term as we expand our certification programme to the leather and footwear, automotive, pharmaceutical and ceramics sectors, and more.”

The president of the Exporters Association of Bangladesh, Salam Murshedy, welcomed the opening of the WRAP office in the country and

said overseas buyers feel comfortable with factories that have WRAP certificates. “WRAP conducts rigorous compliance inspections and if a factory has the certificate, most of the buyers do not go through their own compliance inspection,” he explained. Since 2000, WRAP has certified labour-intensive consumer products facilities in more than 70 countries and currently has 187 facilities certified in Bangladesh. Saifullah Khawaja has been appointed as the Bangladesh country manager.

Labelux to acquire

Jimmy Choo G erman luxury goods company Labelux, owner of Bally, has announced the acquisition of high-end footwear brand Jimmy Choo from TowerBrook Capital. Commentators said Labelux believed it could grow the Jimmy Choo brand, principally by expanding its business in Asia, especially China. Recent moves by Jimmy Choo into accessories and into men’s shoes to complement its main lines for women are other possible growth areas.

The details of the deal offered by Labelux have not been disclosed, but Jimmy Choo has been valued at more than $650 million.

“We are delighted to announce this acquisition,” said Labelux chief executive, Reinhard Mieck, in a statement. “Jimmy Choo is an outstanding brand with enormous growth potential and the ability to deliver material growth synergies across our group.”

TowerBrook Capital acquired Jimmy Choo for £180 million from Lion Capital in February 2007 and controls 83% of the company. Tamara Mellon, who helped set up the business, is the holder of the other 17% of the equity. At the time of the Labelux announcement, TowerBrook co-chief executive, Ramez Sousou, commented: “Jimmy Choo has expanded from 60 stores to an international footprint of 120 sites and substantial potential awaits the brand, particularly in Asia.” Tamara Mellon will stay on as chief creative officer.