SATRA have just recruited their 100th member in China – the world’s most prolific footwear manufacturing region.
Brosmann, the women’s leather footwear specialist, have become that landmark signing for the UK technology centre. Founded originally in Taiwan, they manufacture most of their shoes in Zhongshan, on mainland China, before exporting them worldwide.
SATRA’s Asia Pacific expert Bill Worswick says: ‘Despite all the problems created by SARS at the beginning of the year, 2003 turned out to be SATRA’s best year in terms of membership growth in China.
‘So fast has been that growth that we only discovered Brossman was our 100th member when we counted back on numbers. We now have quite a few more.’
This membership milestone reflects a rapid growing awareness of SATRA in South-East Asia and coincides with the opening of the centre’s first office in China which is creating plenty of interest within the regional business community.
According to Peter Zeng, SATRA’s China representative: ‘Several companies have enquired about the function of office and what we can do to help and I’ve been able to fully brief them.
‘Some are overjoyed to learn that SATRA now has a permanent presence within China, especially those in the Guangdong area.’
Peter, together with SATRA membership development staff Bill Worswick, Colyn Biddle and Ken Nokes, and Taiwan representative Vivien Hseih have since visited many existing and potential membership companies.
