Top designers visit Paris show

At the fifth edition of Le Cuir A Paris in September, 53 of the 231 exhibitors were showing for the first time. This show continues to grow and provides designers and prestige companies with a preview of what is available for autumn and winter 2003-04. Overseas visitors were up from 40% to 43% and there was an increase in top buyers from the USA and Italy. Always a significant presence in international leather fairs around the world, in October 2001 Italy represented 31.5% of the exhibitors, increasing to 36.25% in September 2002 and 37.5% in September 2003. Sandra Maguarian, show manager, told Leather International: 'This edition was very good. The exhibitors were globally satisfied. Although the general situation is not good in the leather industry, they are optimistic for the near future. They have been overwhelmed by the quality of the contacts and buyers they have had during this show. 'For its 5th birthday, Le Cuir A Paris has reached its goal: a fair dedicated to fashion and luxury industries. If you think that, after only 2.5 years, Le Cuir A Paris is considered worldwide as a top reference, it is just amazing.' Marc Barthelmy, president of Tanneries Nouvelles Pechdo, France, said that these are difficult times so Pechdo are constantly on the look out for new strategies to give them an advantage. Business is coming back but it will not be easy. Due to the past reduction in orders and decreased inventory, manufacturers will be forced to reorder but this will inevitably mean a demand for short delivery times. In recent years, the warm winters in Europe have depressed demand for gloves and warm winter clothing and footwear. Barthelmy said Pechdo intended to be constantly vigilant to stay ahead of the game. Juan Colomer of La Doma, Spain, believes that Europe will increasingly become tempted to sell their raw materials although this is not a route he intends to follow. William Shannon of International Leathers, Northern Ireland, plans to reposition the company as a fashion innovator in order to stay ahead of the game, while Clayton of Chesterfield are hoping to corner a niche market in flooring by taking their floor tiles direct to the wholesale and retail flooring market. The mood of the industry at the show was clear: Be proactive, keep the advantage and survive. Second time exhibitors, Russia's largest tannery at Ryazan (Russkaya Kozha) said that in addition to an ongoing programme of installing new machinery and equipment, they are actively pursuing overseas markets. This year they began producing wet-white with the help of French partners, Tannerie de Mont Brun. Next year the dates for the biannual Le Cuir A Paris are: April 15-16 and September 13-15, 2004.