MANUFACTURE OF FOOTWEAR

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28799, 21 January 1959, Page 12

MANUFACTURE OF FOOTWEAR

US. Adviser On

New Process

To advise and assist a Christchurch footwear firm during its initial stages in the development of a revolutionary process of producing footwear, an American technical adviser of. the parent company which introduced the process arrived in Christchurch yesterday. • He is Mr G. Milner, who represents Ro-Search Inc., of Waynesville, North Carolina. He arrived in New Zealand on Sunday. Mr Milner’s purpose is to ensure that the New Zealand product at present under licence to the Christchurch firm is equivalent to the standard of shoe manufactured in the United States. “The new method, known as ‘process 82,* was developed in the Waynesville factory over seven years ago and has steadily gained a good foothold in the United States where the shoe is produced by the Georgia Shoe Company,” said Mr Milner. “Because of the new method,

which incorporates the vulcanised sole process, the boot can be retailed cheaper than the conyential type,” he said. The process could be used for any type of footwear —sports shoes, children’s shoes, dress or working shoes — and any type of leather could be used. The Christchurch firm intends to go into mass production within the next week or so, but it is expected that six months will be necessary to build up sufficient stocks before distribution can be made throughout the Dominion. The initial stage of production will be concerned with the development of a new type of working boot which will be about two-thirds the weight of normal boots and will be more flexible. The new method may save numerous conventional shoemaking op-

erations by vulcanising rubber or plastic soles to leather uppers in one quick operation. “Process 82” is In use in several over’s© as countries and Mr Milner and other technicians from the American company have travelled throughout the world assisting manufacturers with the operation of the new method.