Habi Footwear to compete in Netherlands

“What’s special about our products is that we use recycled cloth for the upper parts, while the soles are made out of recycled tires,” Go said.

 

The company has a partner community called Kawan ni Sto. Nino in Commonwealth, Quezon City which weaves the cloths used for the shoes.

As for the truck tires used for the soles, the company has a supplier in Caloocan City.

Go said that the team came up with the concept in July 2011, and started selling the products online the fourth quarter of the same year. The shoes are priced between P750 to P950.

“It’s actually doing pretty well. Our main focus right now is growth, so we want to expand and increase our marketing efforts,” Go said.

Habi Footwear and nine other finalists won P100,000 each courtesy of Citibank.

Like Habi Footwear, Pineapple Fiber Production of Batas Multi-Purpose Cooperative will also represent the Philippines at the International Marketplace.

The BiD Challenge aims to promote poverty reduction through enterprise development. In the Philippines, BiD is organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

In an ear lier interview with Malaya Business Insight, Eric Camacho, PBSP assistant director for the Center for Corporate Citizenship, said that the non-government organization receives an average of 150 entries each year, from SMEs that need $10,000 to $1,000,000 to start or expand a business.

Published in Malaya Business Insight, 04 June 2012 ;http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/business/business-news/5428-habi-footwear-to-compete-in-netherlands