TownShipTrades

Township Trades Phase 2

Chris — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:28:17 +0000

It is difficult to believe that it was only 3 months ago that the launch of Township Trades phase 2 started. In this time 5 trainees returned for the next stage of their training, we have sourced and purchased incredible natural ingredients, made, cut and wrapped thousands of bars of soap. Our largest order to date was shipped to England – headed for Traidcraft. How exciting!!!

Our team has worked very hard and when it comes time for the weekend, it seems we must be doing something right as our trainees have said they missed everyone and can’t wait to get back to Township Trades ‘HQ’.

It’s been a very busy but exciting time, we have been out to meet some of our suppliers, and we have had several overseas visitors

Monica Philbrook from Traidcraft came to meet the team, we were very interested to hear how Traidcraft got started and to listen to the stories Monica could tell about some of the other individuals and organizations that she has visited.

Inspirational Wall – we have an inspirational wall in the reception area of our workshop, it is filled with quotes from famous people as well as some of our own original thoughts. We like to focus on the positive and spread our enthusiasm Noone – not even visitors are able to escape until they have added something to the wall. So be warned – bring a quote – when you come to visit Township Trades.

Watch this space as there are very exciting things happening at Township Trades ….

2009 PhytoTrade Africa Natural Product Award..WINNER…Township Trades !!!!

Chris — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:38:53 +0000

“I am very pleased to announce that after a very closely fought race this year with lots of really excellent nominations, the judges have decided that the winner of the 2009 PhytoTrade Africa Natural Product Award is the Nurture range of natural and organic soaps by Township Trades.”

Dr. Lucy Welford Comunications Director PhytoTrade

It is not every day that you win an award but we did today and it was fantastic. We now officially produce an award winning natural and organic soap that empowers communities and individuals!

www.phytotradeafrica.com

PhytoTrade Africa, the Southern African Natural Products Trade Association, is Africa’s only trade association dedicated to the development of a Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable natural products industry. We work on behalf of our members to develop products and partnerships for the benefit of Southern Africa’s people and biodiversity.

Township Trades about to launch Nurture Brand

Chris — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:08:42 +0000

Township Trades is about to launch its own and long awaited Nurture brand. Developed pro-bono by Trish Lee of the uber chic design agency- Design for business. Who are based on Pepper St.in the centre of Cape Town. Trish comments, “We love supporting Township Trades and there wonderful project. Its also a great balance for our existing commercial portfolio.”

The range consists of 3 Natural and 3 Organic soaps selected from the finest ingredients.

Energy- Honey, Marula, Ylang Ylang

Spirit- Rooibos, Rosemary, Shea butter & Sea salt

Freedom- Ginger, Melon & Sweet Orange

Organic

Soul- Calendula, Avocado & Mafura with Lavander

Passion- Lemongrass, Coriander, Shea butter and avocado

Future -Honey bush, Marula, orange

The natural range starts from an excellent R15 wholesale (ex. VAT and shipping) and R25 retail. The Organic range is R25 wholesale and R45 retail.

We are looking for further distributors and customers. So please contact us directly on 083 4813 566 or claire@townshiptrades.com.

Fairly traded soap has never been so attractive!!

End of year review

Chris — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:08:43 +0000

Township Trades have been so busy this year that not all of our achievements have appeared on our website here are a few highlights!

This picture shows the team with Jim Evans from Australia visiting September 2008. He spent two days helping to fix some of our essential soap making equipment!

Township Trades on the BBC

Incredible as it seems Township Trades were the main feature in a BBC online feature on the future of Social Entreprise. The story also features Jamie Oliver.

Dragon Den Star Simon Woodroffe visits Township Trades and backs them to be a success!

Simon Woodroffe was warmly welcomed by the Township Trades team in October 2008 and spent an enjoyable afternoon discovering our world class soap making secrets as well as discussing marketing and business development ideas in detail.

Simon has been a long term supporter of Township Trades and continues to assist us to create a sustainable community business. (Unfortunately the camera was missing for his visit.)

Township Trades deliver to Woolworths South Africa

Township Trades has sucessfully delivered their first 13,500 bar order to Woolworths and it is appearing in over 40 selected stores in South Africa. Our three varieties Energising, Soothing and Moisturising are selling steadily. We hope to increase our range in the near future and to be available in every Woolworths in Southern Africa.

Township Trades feature in Financial Mail - South Africa

Lucian and the team are featured in an article in this leading South African paper. Thebe Mabanga from the Financial Mail discusses the sacrifices that Lucian and Beverley Russ have made in setting up and managing Township Trades and talks about their challenges and hopes that their efforts will be rewarded by improving the future career prospects of the Township Trades trainees. Click here for the full article.

Township Trades complete their first UK export order for Visionary soap

Township Trades have successfully completed their first export order of 9,300 bars for Visionary soap company in England. The soap will be available for purchase online as well as in Oxfam Shops and other selected UK retail outlets.

Le Quartier Francais choose Township Trades soaps for their World Class Hotel

Since December 2008 World class hotel Le Quartier Francais has been using Specially selected Township Trades soap in their top class rooms and suites, as well as selling it in their highly rated shop.We hope to build a long and mutually fulfilling relationship with them.

Partnering with a true Visionary!

Chris — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:05:38 +0000

It was August 2008 when Township Trades first met up with Monica Norley, founder of The Visionary Soap Company. Monica worked for several years managing worker-owned cooperatives in Guatemala and the San Francisco Bay Area before starting Visionary Soap in 2005. It soon became apparant that Monica’s vision and our own was extremely compatable as Visionary was already supporting many third world communities through its partnerships such as the Pestalozzi Trust to name but one.

After some work to refine our soap formula’s to meet Visionary’s exacting standards, Township Trades is pleased to announce that our team successfully delivered the first order for Visionary Soap Company and we hope to work ever more closely with Monica and her team in 2009 as Visionary Soap breaks new ground in selling wonderful handmade and organic soaps.

Charlotte Woodroffe helps out at Township Trades

Chris — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:09 +0000

Charlotte, daughter of YoSushi founder and Dragon Den star Simon Woodroffe, took time out from her holiday in South Africa to spend some days working at Townhship Trades. Charlotte who has recently finished her A levels in the UK, is passionate about helping out ever since her father become involved with Township Trades earlier in the year.

Woolworths soap order confirmed!

Chris — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:55:16 +0000

Good news for Township Trades, an order for handmade soap from the high profile retail store Woolworths has been confirmed. This is a real boost to the Township Trades team who are now working to produce three types of handmade soap for a September delivery. “This is great for our trainees and a real seal of approval for our hand made soaps.” Say Lucian, MD of Township Trades. “We’ve got lots of work to do to get the order out of the door in time but I know our trainees are up to the task!”

Township Trades computer upgrade

Chris — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:20:39 +0000

Robert Molloy (in Cape Town for 10 days from Amsterdam) kindly donated the use of five Window XP PCs at Township Trades yesterday. He also networked and set them up himself over two days. Robert said “I hope it can help and advance their IT skills and give them a solid introduction into computers for the future. I wish them all the best and I will be back to check up on them.”

We would welcome any other donations from business people in terms of skills and equipment.

Inspiritional - the One Foundation

Chris — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:31:47 +0000

We had an inspiritional meeting last week with the One Foundation, a organisation founded by Simon Devonshire and now led by hero of our time, Duncan Goose. The foundation specialises in an incredibly elegant and effective idea: product twinning. By ethically brand, distributing and selling a simple product like bottle water in the UK the One Foundation is able to raise significant sums of money for investing in clean water projects in Africa. Of course the concept can be carried through to many different brandable products and there are exciting plans for many new product lines. Product twinning is a potent idea catching on fast. Naturally we hope that soap can provide hope in the same way. Product twinning on this scale should have a place on the political agendas of the G8. Now there is an interesting thought!

Township Trades start selling in Cape Town

Chris — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:46:04 +0000

Township Trades are pleased to announce that we are selling our beautiful soap in a number of places in Cape Town. Our trainees have been learning and practising their sales and marketing skills for the past month. We still have a long way to go before we are true sales professionals but we are making fast progress.

You can buy our products in; Lime Grove home decor store at the Old Biscuit Mill market -where we sell most Saturdays, Hout Bay market on the last Sunday of the month, Kirstenbosch Markets or at Portobello cafe in Long Street on a Thursday.

If you know any other places where we should be selling our products or can help with out training or logistical arrangements then please be in touch. We are very short of input at the moment.