Awareness and exposure at A-OSH Expo 

Kaliber Safety Footwear (Kaliber) was delighted with the exposure it gained on its second A-OSH Expo appearance. From humble beginnings in 2014, the company has grown into an impressive contender in the safety shoe sphere not only in South Africa, but across Africa. Its products are now exported to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, and Tanzania.

“Africa is our next growth point,” expands Albie Alberts, Kaliber sales manager, saying the company is a small, but dynamic and hands-on business. “Everyone involved has a background in this industry, and adds to our expertise,” he explains. 

“Our first involvement at A-OSH Expo was last year, with a slightly smaller stand. We had some good feedback, which is why we came back with a bigger stand and a better location,” continues Alberts. “We’ve been busy and the exposure has been great.”

Rudi Viljoen, Kaliber sales representative, adds that A-OSH Expo is all about creating awareness, securing brand exposure, and interacting more with the right crowd: “We have noticed that people didn’t actually know about us until we started to exhibit here and show off our brand. The show definitely has helped to create awareness.”

Kaliber showcased four new boot styles, with the Hammer turning quite a few heads. “It is a new style of boot for us – a composite, metal-free safety boot, with a plastic toecap that has the same specifications as a steel toecap. This makes it ideal for diabetics,” Alberts says.

The Hammer safety boot has an attractive price point, a full-grain leather upper, and a dual density polyurethane sole unit. It is shock absorbent, slip and oil resistant, and anti-static, with a comfortable innersole. “It is a popular style of boot, which we’re launching at the end of June with G. Fox, a premier PPE supplier. We have great expectations for this shoe,” Alberts stresses.

Interesting developments are afoot: watch this space and be sure to catch up with Kaliber at next year’s A-OSH Expo from 28 to 30 May 2024.