Experience expertise diversity

Dani told Leather International that the company had evolved slowly and steadily year by year developing along the way a specialist knowledge of a wide range of items. This has been achieved through the acquisition of companies such as Conceria di Verolanuova, a tannery from Crocetta del Montello and Pell-Mec from Chiampo. Pell-Mec specialise in garment and upholstery leather and Crocetta specialise in waterproof leathers for specialist protective footwear. A further acquisition is FACO, producers of deerskins for garments. Conceria Dani itself is a full-process tannery specialised in heavy bull hides for upholstery and protective footwear. Environment In tune with the rest of the region's concern for the environment, Conceria Dani's r&d policy has always focused on ecological issues. The company's concern for the environment was evident as early as the 1970s when they were involved in the consortium of tanners who established the very first effluent treatment plant in Arzignano. Giancarlo Dani told Leather International that they are exclusively investigating production of a 'biological fertiliser from untanned leather' which focuses on recycling organic waste from the liming process for use in agriculture. Dani hopes that the research will serve as a pilot project for other tanneries. The research is being carried out with funding from the 'Acordo di programa', which Dani describes as a very important financial support for the sector. Permanence Dani's confidence in the future of the tanning industry is clear - both from what he says and the company's investments. The three year management plan currently in effect has seen some of the older premises demolished and a rebuilding scheme is underway, due for completion in 2007. He predicts no expansion of the sector in Arzignano but a maintenance of the status quo. He believes that Dani stand out through their ability to deliver a client's latest requirements very quickly. 'Flexibility is indispensable in the modern market and this ability to create new colours and articles is one of Arzignano's major advantages. He believes this ability to respond to changing fashions will continue as fashion trends are driven from Europe. China While tanners all over Europe perceive China as a threat to their business, Dani believes that the Chinese authorities are more interested in promoting the assembly of finished products than tanning leather themselves, meaning there will be much less competition from China than previously feared. He cites the recent establishment of an import tax on raw hides into China as evidence. He adds that China also lacks the ability to switch production quickly to accommodate new seasons' fashions. He believes that predictions that the tanning industry will experience a similar boom to the car assembly sector which has boomed in China are not valid because the leather industry needs people. Whereas car assembly is a process which is largely carried out by robots, the leather process requires skilled technicians. This constitutes a further advantage for the Arzignano area.