Product Description: Microcellular sheet of rubber has become very popular for the production of shoe soles due to its lightness, hard wearing (hardness) , attractive appearance and good flexibility. It has been found out that shoe soles made from rubber are 4 to 5 times more durable than shoe soles made from leather. Because of these properties, rubber has almost replaced leather as a shoe sole in fashion footwear.
Rationale: Soles are used for footwear made from natural leather or synthetic “leather” In the Amhara Region; it is mostly people in the urban areas who wear shoes whose soles are made from rubber. Of the 1.9 million people who hive in urban areas of the Region, one can safely assume that at least 0.9 million wear leather shoes. In addition to making new shoes, rubber soles are also used for replacing worn-out soles. All the soles used in the Region are either imported from abroad or are manufactured in Addis Ababa. In other part of this document, we have proposed the establishment of leather shoe manufacturing plant. To provide input for this plant a rubber shoe soles manufacturing plant should also be established in the Region.
Market Potential: They are two sources for the market potential of rubber shoe soles in the Region. One demand source will be if a leather shoes factory is established as proposed in this study. If this is realized, this proposed rubber sole making plant could supply its products to the leather shoe factory. The other source of demand will be by shoe repair hand craftsmen for replacing old or worn out soles by new rubber soles. This will absorb quite a substantial quantity of rubber shoe soles. A third source of demand (though not very large) will be individual shoe-makers who produce shoes by order or for a specific market. All these combined will generate enough demand for a plant which will produce rubber shoe soles.
IMPORT OF SOLES & HEELS OF RUBBER OR PLASTIC
Source:- Ethiopian Custom Authority
Source of Raw Material: The special rubber material from which the rubbers shoe sole is to be manufactured will be imported.
Process & Technology: The main processing (manufacturing) stages include-mixing of the rubber and rubber chemicals, moulding using hydraulic press, releasing the press, vulcanization, testing and packaging. Important plant and machinery include role mixing mill, hydraulic presses, moulds and dies, vulcanizing chamber, boiler, weighing balance and other accessories.
Estimated Investment:- Building size 700m2 at Birr 1550/m2 = 1,050,000; plant & machinery and working capital = or 750,000 = Br. 1,800,000
7. Benefits:- Self-sufficiency, new skills and technology, saving financial resources plus the other common benefits of industrial development.
8. Location:- Combolcha, Bahir Dar, Debre Birhan, Gondar----.