Project News

The Local Working Group (LWG) for footwear industry in Mojokerto City, East Java Province, commenced the "Model Product Development Support Program" in March 2015, through which 20 SMIs in the city are expected to become the industry's model SMIs capable of market development along the standard process of product development comprised of market study ~ market segmentation ~ product design ~ prototyping ~ market test. The Program proposes the guidance on market study/segmentation and targeting, product design training, financial support for prototype work, provision of market test opportunity, and intends to develop the marketable products which meet the preferences of target segments (urban college students and young businesspersons) by feed-backing the consumers' opinions (results of the market test) to the prototype improvement.

Following the design training and initial prototype work, the prototypes of six (6) products were exhibited at the exhibition of shoes/ leather products held in Jakarta in last July. One of the prototypes received the award among hundreds of exhibitors, and several buyers have been making inquiries to the prototypes. Further, Ms. Lenny Agustin, an Indonesia's well-known designer, showed an interest in one of the prototypes and has been discussing to merchandize this under her brand. The SMIs will continuously improve and increase the prototypes so that they will become marketable enough to the target segments, and will again participate in the market test opportunity scheduled in September. Through such efforts, LWG expects to develop the capability of product development of those participating SMIs, and realize the transactions with buyers/ merchandisers.

A prototype product awarded in the exhibition