Procesos Humedos dedicate their experience to wet-blue

Procesos Humedos is a contract tannery dedicated to processing leather to the wet-blue stage. The company's client base is largely Mexican and the wet-blue produced has a range of uses including both automotive and furniture upholstery, footwear and leathergoods. Installed capacity is for 3,000 full substance hides per day. With 78 years' experience, Procesos Humedos are highly specialised in the production of wet-blue and each member of staff is skilled in their area of the process. The company's technicians carry out continuous research and development, always striving to create new products. General manager Jaime Dueñas explains the benefit to customers: 'As the stage of leather process up to wet-blue involves the highest level of investment in terms of machinery and space, as well as consumption of water, it is more cost effective for tanners dealing with smaller volumes to send their hides to a contract specialist such as Procesos Humedos than to buy and maintain their own beamhouse facility. 'It also means that the workforce of the smaller company can focus on other tasks, thus increasing their productivity.' As Procesos Humedos have machinery capable of processing high volumes, production time is reduced. Dueñas claims to provide clients with high quality and very standardised wet-blue. Drums used in the plant have a capacity of 18-20 tonnes each, allowing uniformity of dyeing. There is a strict quality control process in place. Chemical products are analysed in the on-site labs on arrival. 'The raw hides supplied by the client are tracked throughout the process ensuring they don't get mixed up.' There is also a qualitative analysis laboratory to test the raw hides received from clients. A 'tropical test' is carried out on the hide to make sure the wet-blue will not suffer from a fungal attack. Investment In 2005, the capacity at the plant was raised by 35% as an increase in business was predicted for 2006. The investment totalled US$1.5 million including four new drums (all Cangilones from Olcina) and one new splitting machine to process hides for use in upholstery. The investment programme also included a set of filters to help achieve the company's goal of reducing solids in the effluent. A reduction in the amount of water consumed was a further priority. Dueñas told Leather International that the plant uses 20-30% less water than average wet-blue processing units. In addition, modern drums optimise use of chemical products. Procesos Humedos aim to work at 90% of capacity, but always need extra capacity to enable them to respond to the needs of their clients. Production in late February was around 2,000-2,500 hides per day. Customer service is a high priority. Clients are sent photos of their lots and a customer satisfaction survey is carried out every six months. All lots are dispatched with a certificate of quality from Procesos Humedos. The company have established their own parameters which they say are stricter than the international standards. Of the sector in general, Dueñas told Leather International: 'Over the last five years the number of tanneries has decreased, but look at the statistics, the level of total production has remained stable. The survivors are those who have prioritised investment and the latest technology.' Although lower priced imports from China have made life difficult for the sector in general, Procesos Humedos have grown. 'As margins continue to decrease the focus is shifting to volume, hence our programme to increase capacity in 2005. Dueñas believes that production of wet-white will be a future growth area for the company. 'The wet-white process has developed recently and there is a growing range of options to improve it, give it a better handle etc. It is becoming increasingly important, particularly in the automotive leather sector due to legislation on vehicle recyclability. Procesos Humedos have all the technology to produce wet-white and hope to see a growth in this area in coming seasons. They want to remain involved in the market and believe in their future. They believe price, quality and service are the important factors.