Punch Pushes Forward

Punch Shoe Care Aerosol RangeA recent restructure has created the framework to ensure the continued leadership of the Punch Shoe Care brand. Following the acquisition of Punch by Spotless Group in 2006, Graham Mountford took on the role of General Manager for all Specialist business, including Shoe Care, Plant Care, Fabric Dyes and Household products, with much of the old Punch team still in place to follow the shoe care specifically.

Following recent retirements and moves, the company has taken the chance to take stock and re-focus to ensure the Shoe Care business is at the centre of its strategy. As such, Graham Mountford has now been appointed Vice President Punch Shoe Care, with a 100% focus on driving forward the Punch Shoe Care business, supported by new Senior Brand Manager Tina Long and a stronger sales team than ever before.

Having listened to feedback from shoe repairers, one of the first decisions has been to reintroduce four aerosol products that had been discontinued. Punch has always been a leader in the aerosol market and re-introducing these products should help keep that position.

However, that was really only a first response to the new focus; a ‘Shoe Care Think Tank’ has been established, whose brief is to come up with new products to grow the category. First results are exciting, with more than twenty great ideas now in the lab. Although not available yet, the first new product is an adaptation of a very successful product in one of our other divisions: a Patent Leather Restorer. ‘This is a really great product to restore scratched and scuffed patent leather to its former glory, and we feel it is perfect for the shoe repair trade. It will be available within the next couple of months and is the first of a number of ideas that you will be seeing this year,’ said Graham.

‘Punch has been a leader in shoe care for over 100 years, and with the new team, new focus and new energy, we are sure to be adding new pounds to our customers’ tills!’