The ALLPI team led by Executive Director Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe visited Anbessa Shoe Share Company on 15th February 2024. The visit aimed to familiarize with factory operations and seek avenues for collaboration between the two institutions.
The company is the first modern shoe-manufacturing company in Ethiopia. The company was established in 1935. It has been in the shoe business for over 80 years. In 1974 Anbessa shoe was nationalized and became state state-owned company, but later in 2011 the company got privatized. Since then, the company has been managed by a board of directors with diverse experiences in the business. Currently, the company has 1400 workers and serves both the domestic and international markets like the USA, EU, Asia and Africa.
The Deputy General Manager of the company Mr. Hailekiros Debesay hosted the ALLPI team and explained the production and marketing strategy of the company, including the values of the company which has enhanced penetration to domestic and international markets. The company sources finished leather from local tanneries only and uses 90% of the outer soles from local sources too. Anbessa Shoe Share Company produces 1 million pairs of shoes and uses 7-9 million sq. ft of finished leather annually. On the domestic market, the company supplies shoes to different public institutions like police, Ethio-telecom, other government employees etc based on the secured tenders. Sustainability through quality is the motto of the company according to the manager’s explanation. The company is working towards doubling its production output.
The ALLPI team was privileged to tour the product development unit, the raw material storage, each production line and the showroom for all types of products. At the end of the tour, ALLPI and Anbessa Shoe Share Company agreed to plan a collaborative activity to support the Africa integration along the Leather supply chain.
