Christchurch business secures footwear contract

Christchurch gumboot manufacturing company Sandford Industries is well and truly back on its feet post-earthquake after becoming the first Kiwi supplier to sign a deal with Number One Shoe Warehouse.

Cathy Parker

November 5, 2014 2 Mins Read

Christchurch gumboot manufacturing company Sandford Industries is well and truly back on its feet post-earthquake after becoming the first Kiwi supplier to sign a deal with Number One Shoe Warehouse – New Zealand’s largest footwear retailer.

Sandford Industries director Kris Webster says the $80,000 contract to supply 7000 pairs of gumboots to Number One Shoes is a significant step for his Christchurch company and it took two years to come together.

“Our gumboots are a quality New Zealand-made product. Teaming up with such a major footwear retailer ensures our product will be available to New Zealanders throughout the country at an affordable price.”

Sandford Industries products are Canterbury-made with the raw materials manufactured in Auckland. The company is dedicated to sustainability, sending all of their PVC offcuts to Matta Products to be recycled into safety matting for children’s playgrounds. They also set up gumboot recycling programs in food processing plants so that gumboots can be recycled at the end of their use.

Kris and Sarah Webster purchased what is now Sandford Industries from Skellerup in January 2011 – just one month before the destructive February 2011 earthquake which left their Woolston factory severely damaged. Since then, the company has recovered, setting up in a new building within just four months. Sandford Industries has experienced massive growth and the business has tripled in size as well as employing five new staff members.

Andrea Kenworthy, GM Buying and Business Development, Number One Shoe Warehouse says they are delighted to support a New Zealand manufacturer and a Christchurch based business.

“We look forward to forging a long term business relationship with Sandford Industries,” she says.

Number One Shoes has 51 full retail stores and three outlet stores around New Zealand and will stock Sandford Industries men’s non-safety PVC gumboots and children’s gumboots. The children’s range of gumboots is a rejuvenation of the popular 80s brand “Skelligator” while the men’s range is the traditional Commando brand.

Sandford Industries also makes gloves and aprons.