The footwear brand Daniel Hechter of Schwalmstadt, Germany, has appointed Pabuc Makina as wholesale distributor for its womens footwear line in Türkiye. The license agreement covers around 30 styles for the summer 2004 season and a trial order of 5,000 pairs placed.  Prices average Eur25 to Eur30, a price that Pabuc's owner, Mr. Musfik Cilingiroglu, says is compatible with the country's fashion aspirations and rising incomes.

Cilingiroglu has been representing German firms in Türkiye since the 1970's and skilfully steered the Gabor mark (owner of the Camel Active brand) within this market. Rosenheim-based Gabor was producing shoes for Daniel Hechter; so Pabuc stepped easily into the the licensee's shoes.  The company hopes to add Hechter's men's footwear range and, eventually, produce the brand locally.  One has only to observe the woes of the Ecco brand in Türkiye (five distributors in three years) to understand the challenge of locating a congenial sole-mate in the country.

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