Word: corfam
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Most important, the development of leather substitutes has shaken up the hidebound industry, opening new prospects in automation and styling. Though Du Pont's new synthetic, Corfam, has conquered less than 1% of the market so far. 79 major shoemakers are using it and Du Pont is struggling to keep up with demand. The company predicts that out of a total of 650 million shoes sold this year, up to 7,000,000 will be made of Corfam, hopes that the synthetic will stimulate U.S. shoe sales much as nylon increased U.S. clothing sales...
...Pont cut some Corfam prices two weeks ago by 10% to 15%-or about 150 to 300 for each pair of shoes-and will cut further as production rises. Corfam shoes now sell for just about the same price as comparable leather shoes. Several of Du Pont's archcompetitors are trying to crack the Corfam formula. Secretly and intently Union Carbide, B.F. Goodrich, US Rubber and other companies are developing their own synthetics for the changing shoe industry...
...Pont showed as much savvy in testing and introducing Corfam as it did in developing it. First it piqued the curiosity of shoe manufacturers by sending them sample batches to make into test shoes. Du Pont inspectors went along and swept up the scraps to prevent them from falling into the hands of industrial spies. Then, to catch and correct such bugs as cracking and stiffness, the firm gave away thousands of shoes to people who would give them a hard-wearing test, notably orphans in institutions, mailmen and its own salesmen and executives-including Copeland, who still wears Corfam...
...company decided to create an aura of luxury around the new synthetic by initially making it scarce and as costly as top-quality leather; prices for most of the shoes now range from $20 up, but Corfam may also appear in less expensive shoes in the spring. The public's response, despite the high prices and limited styles so far, has surprised even Du Pont. Corfam shoes are being turned out by 45 major shoemakers, and stores are heavily reordering. Already 700,000 customers have bought the shoes; Du Pont hopes that Corfam in 20 years will...
Mass production began this month at a new plant in Old Hickory, Tenn., and Du Pont is also building a factory in Belgium to produce Corfam for the European market. Barbed-wire fences and 24-hour guards at Old Hickory testify to Du Pont's unwillingness to share its hard-won secrets with a dozen competitors that are trying to crack the synthetic-leather market. Not even the shoemakers have been allowed inside the production area, and a sign at Old Hickory announces: "Our competitor is a nice fellow-smart too-so let him figure...