Cobblers Unite in the Development of Special Military and Police Footwear

Four Croatian companies – Borovo – Leather Footwear from Vukovar, Sloga from Koprivnica, Jelen from Čakovec, Kroko International – expressed their interest in collaboration and joint development of special footwear for members of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as for export, at today’s meeting with representatives from several ministries, as announced by the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

Analyzing the needs of the domestic market, especially in the context of the global crisis that indirectly affects domestic producers, the companies expressed this interest at a meeting held at the CCE with Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polančec, representatives from the ministries of economy, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, and other institutions. The goal of the project, as stated, is to develop special footwear of the highest quality that will fully satisfy users in terms of quality, price, and delivery times. "The united producers are fully prepared to initiate the production of multiple models of special footwear and to intensify further development according to the requirements of end users," the statement notes, adding that the four companies are open to collaboration with other Croatian footwear manufacturers who have development potential and interest in participating in the project.

Leaders of the four companies emphasize that there is a tradition of footwear production for this purpose in Croatia, and through the joint development of footwear for the Croatian soldier and police officer, domestic companies would secure at least 2,000 jobs, and far more by opening up foreign markets. Additionally, the companies would gain the references necessary for the export of the newly developed product. This would allow the footwear industry to find its production niche, and it may be the last opportunity for the development of a competitive domestic product for the international market.

The CCE’s Public Relations Office also reports that Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polančec emphasized that the realization of such a project is possible, especially if domestic producers unite into a cluster or economic interest association, which the Ministry of Economy financially encourages through the project "Clusters – Success Through Collaboration." It is also reported that representatives from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense should participate in this development project to ensure that the product meets the needs of end users. (H)