The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded its Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance testing programme to include a one-off test effort to determine whether BSE is actually present in the US cattle population, and if so, at what level. Cattle from populations considered high risk will be targeted in the programme, including the testing of older animals.

Rohm and Haas have announced their annual sales figures and report that 2003 was a strong and successful year for the company. An improved economic environment and evidence of a recovery in both the electronic and industrial sectors replaced the economic uncertainties and unstable geopolitical conditions that affected the first half of the year. The company's strong fourth quarter performance has provided optimism and momentum for a very good 2004.

Bayer AG intend to place a large part of their chemicals business and some activities of Bayer MaterialScience in a new company named Lanxess, which will then be floated on the stock market. Since the announcement of the portfolio changes on November 7, 2003, the activities involved in creating and establishing this new company have been performed under the provisional project name of NewCo.

The Bayer Group have announced their intention to increase both their operating result before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and their operating result (EBIT) before special items by more than 10% in 2004. This was announced by Bayer Management Board Chairman Werner Wenning at the company's Spring Financial News Conference on Thursday March 18 in Leverkusen. 'We have also redefined our target returns in the context of our realignment. We plan to achieve an EBITDA margin of approximately 19% for the Bayer Group as a whole by 2006', Wenning said. This corresponds to an increase of nearly 60% over the 12% EBITDA margin in 2003.

BASF's figures for 2003 clearly show that the tremendous hard work by the company's employees worldwide has been successful: BASF have strengthened their position as the world's leading chemical company. In a difficult market environment, sales increased by 3.6% to €33.4 billion. Excluding currency effects, the growth would have been substantially higher and sales would have reached €35.7 billion.

The Stahl display at this year's Fimec in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, will present an opportunity to see not only finished leathers but also how those leathers look when they are turned into shoes, garments, upholstery or leathergoods. The presentation will include many examples of shoes and leathergoods as well as upholstery and clothing made from leather included in the finished leather collection. The selection of colours for these and for the leathers in the show will be based on Stahl's Fashion Colour Forecast for Spring and Summer 2005. The display will also include the most important finishing ideas that have been created since Tanning Tech in November 2003 and will be based on the colours and effects that were considered to be the most important at that time. These have been adjusted to meet local customer needs in South and Central America and to en-hance the raw materials available locally in this area.

The 28th edition of Fimec - international technology fair for the leather and footwear sectors - will take place from April 15-18, 2004, at the Fenac showgrounds in Novo Hamburgo in southern Brazil. Fimec is one of the biggest events for the leather-footwear sector and in April 2003 it attracted 1,030 exhibitors from 17 countries in the five continents. Almost 49,000 professions from around the world are said to have attended the fair. The bulk of these were from the footwear and accessories industries followed by those from the components and machinery sectors. Visitors came from 29 countries with the largest contingent coming from Argentina, followed by Italy and then Uruguay.

The Elmo Leather Group saw sales decrease in 2003 by 5% to SEK 771.1 million (815.6). Sales volumes dropped by 0.3 million sq m to 2.9 million sq m of finished leather (3.2) due to weak demand for furniture leather in North America and Europe and the phasing out of production in Denmark in the second half of 2003. Increased average prices did not fully compensate for the reduced volumes.

The resurgence of Hong Kong's economy is a hot topic right now, with many companies positioning themselves to take advantage of new developments. Hong Kong's special relationship with Mainland China, especially since the advent of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), has major significance for the international business community. Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) has arranged two seminars to cover these economic topics, on March 30, 2004, in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Room 608).

LeatherXchange have declared insolvency less than a week before their planned Automotive Leather Conference at the Jaguar Conference Centre in Coventry, UK, March 22-23. There has been speculation in recent weeks as to whether the conference would go ahead as some of the listed speakers professed that they were completely unaware of their projected roles in the proceedings.

Polyurethane leather is an outstanding substitute for natural leather. The increasing importance of polyurethane leather is due in part to its economical production, but above all to its property profile which is at least equal, and in some aspects superior, to that of natural leather. Although it is now nearly impossible to distinguish the two materials in terms of appearance, polyurethane leather based on Impranil or Desmoderm from Bayer MaterialScience AG stands out in particular through its better durability. Furthermore, individual properties can be specifically modified to suit the respective application, eg more comfortable seating in automotive interiors or good abrasion resistance, which is essential in the case of soccer balls.

The global implications of new safety standards for footwear sold in Europe will be emphasised by SATRA at the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) in Hong Kong in March.

From Monday March 15, 2004, all beef exported from Brazil will have to be derived from cattle that are logged under the Brazilian System of Identification and Certification of Origin for Bovine and Buffalo (SISBOV).

There's much more to gloves than simply keeping your hands warm. As the world's leading fashion designers are showing, they also make the perfect summer accessory.

Hans Dieter Pötsch, member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, is a new member of the Supervisory Board of BASF Aktiengesellschaft. He was appointed by the district court of Ludwigshafen on March 2, 2004. The appointment was made necessary by the death of Supervisory Board member Helmut Werner. The Supervisory Board of BASF Aktiengesellschaft now once again complies with the requirements of German law.

The outlook for shareholders in the UK leather merchants and wholesalers industry looks bleak with only 10 of the Top 45 largest companies delivering a good return on investment. This is according to the latest Top 45 Analysis - Leather Merchants & Wholesalers by Plimsoll Publishing Ltd. The Top 45 companies, who constitute 96% of the market, have seen organic growth plateau. As a result they are increasingly looking to capture market share from their competitors. This is creating intense competitive pressures amongst the leading players, resulting in the following alarming statistics:

SATRA are finalising plans for a series of seminars as a curtain raiser to this year's Asia Pacific Leather Fair at the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre from March 29 to April 1, 2004.

The leather in a sports shoe caused top rugby star Jason Robinson a big surprise recently. Until it was pointed out to him, he had no idea that his boots were made of leather manufactured in his home town of Leeds.

The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture has announced that Mexico will resume importing US boneless beef cuts derived from cattle aged less than 30 months. At this stage, Mexico will permit imports of beef from US facilities approved by the Mexican government that handle only animals under 30 months of age or that have acceptable segregation procedures.

The new models of the season were displayed at 15th Izmir Shoes, Bags And Accessories Fair which was held between the dates 26-29 February, 2004. According to the Domestic and Foreign Sector's Representatives, the fair was successful with respect to the business relations and the number of trade visitors.

SATRA have just recruited their 100th member in China - the world's most prolific footwear manufacturing region.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reports that the United States exported hides and skins worth US$468,000 to Russia in 2003. Exports in 2002 and 2001 were worth US$163,000 and US$322,000 respectively. The United States also exported hides and skins worth US$2.64 million to Poland in 2003, compared with US$2.03 million in 2002 and US$2.99 million in 2001.

President Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan has granted the exclusive right to export karakul lamb pelts and leather from Turkmenistan to ZAO Turkmenderi, according to the Interfax news agency. Turkmenderi was set up to develop Turkmenistan's leather industry, regulate exports and increase production of leather and leather products. All other leather producers in Turkmenistan must sell their products on the domestic market.

An un-named Kyrgyz-Chinese company are reported to have purchased the uncompleted Tokmak tannery in Kyrgyzstan, according to BISNIS, part of the US Department of Commerce, Washington DC. The municipal government in Tokmak reported that the new owner will continue the construction of the tannery in March, with new equipment to be installed later on. The tannery is expected to start operation in July or August this year. Investments are expected to total US$3.5 million. The Tokmak tannery will employ 460 people and will process more than a million hides and skins each year.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exports of raw materials were 14% higher at US$157 million in 2003, while imports were 17% higher at US$42 million.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey exported raw hides and skins, and leather worth US$80 million in 2003, compared with US$67 million in the previous year. Turkish exports of leather products were worth US$316 million last year, against US$307 million in 2002. Turkey imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$613 million last year, compared with US$621 million in 2002.

Supporting this year's 'Finishing Week' at the British School of Leather Technology in Northampton, England, in February, Stahl provided an important training course covering both the practical and theoretical aspects of leather finishing. In addition to delegates from the UK, students came from as far afield as China, Kenya, Bangladesh, Mexico, Singapore, Canada, Jordan and Turkey. Course tutor, Peter Jessop, Stahl International's Leather Finish Technical Liaison Manager explains: 'Finishing Week is one of the most important calendar events at the British School of Leather Technology, and provides a unique opportunity for the students dedicated to training in leather finishing.' Assisting Peter were Stahl leather finishing specialists Wolfgang Schmalzle from Holland and Mervyn Alcock and Richard Burton from the UK. Chris Thorpe, a Stahl shoe finishing expert, provided a practical demonstration to show the benefits that could be achieved by the application of shoe dressings in the shoe factory.

Slovenia's Statistical Office reports provisional figures as showing an average of 449,853 cattle on farms in Slovenia in 2003, compared with 473,242 in 2002 and 477,075 in 2001.

Slovakia's State Statistical Office reports that the Slovak Republic imported leather and leather products worth US$259 million in 2003, an increase of 1.8% compared with the previous year. Slovakian exports of the same types of commodities were 4.6% higher year-on-year at US$139 million.

SATRA has increased its test capabilities to coincide with the introduction of new standards for all safety footwear being sold in Europe. A new toe cap impact machine, developed in-house by the UK technology centre, has been installed at SATRA's new site to help cope with a variety of tests detailed in this new performance criteria.

The outlook for shareholders in the UK leathergoods retail industry looks bleak, with only 11 of the top 63 largest companies delivering a good return on investment. This is according to the latest Top 63 Analysis - Leather Goods Retailers by Plimsoll Publishing Ltd. The Top 63 companies, who constitute 96% of the market, have seen organic growth plateau. As a result they are increasingly looking to capture market share from their competitors. This is creating intense competitive pressures amongst the leading players, resulting in the following alarming statistics:

ke decorin, dermatan sulfate, chondroitinsulfate and hyaluronic acid to name the most important ones. Besides those mainly proteolytic components the hide fat and lipids are by far the single biggest mass contributor next to collagen itself .

Australian lamb production could increase by nearly 50% over the next five years to reach record levels, according to forecasts released by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

The tenth case of BSE was confirmed in Japan on 22 February.  The animal, a dairy cow, was discovered in the Kanagawa Prefecture.

Interest in the fast growing upholstery leather sector in Asia was already evident at the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) held in September 2003. There was strong participation from international upholstery leather suppliers in ACLE 2003, including Apucacouros Industria Exportacao de Couros from Brazil, Schafstall from Germany and the Solofra Leather System Consortium from Italy.

The numbers of visitors and exhibitors attending the 29th edition of Anpic 'the fair of the America's' were visibly lower this year. However, most said that although they had received fewer people compared with last year the visits they did receive were of a higher quality.

The Forward Group, India, and Conceria Virginia, Italy, have agreed a joint venture for the setting up of a 6 million sq ft/year modern leather manufacturing facility in Chennai which is scheduled to start production in June 2004.

One of Mexico's largest tanners, Cummsa, is in the final stages of a new 5,000 sq m finishing area at their plant in León. The new facility has been built to allow the company to expand into the upholstery leather business.

University College Northampton (UCN) fashion degree students furthered their international reputation when they exhibited a collection in Barcelona recently and brought home a prize.

Statistics South Africa reports that South Africa's leather industry was operating at 84.7% of its overall production capacity in November 2003, compared with 86.8% in the same month in 2002. The main reason given by leather industry companies for not operating at full capacity in November 2003 was insufficient demand for their products.

The Siauliai Stumbras leather producer in Lithuania recorded a loss on sales worth euro9 million) in 2003, according to the LETA news agency. The sales figure was substantially lower than in 2002. Final figures for last year will be announced later on. The company had to suspend their production for nearly six months during 2003 due to financial difficulties. Siauliai Stumbras, which are reportedly operating at a third of their production capacity, are actively participating in foreign trade fairs and hopes to increase their production volumes shortly.

Iran's Customs Administration reports that Iran exported pickled pelts worth US$56.8 million in the first ten months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2003 - January 20, 2004), according to the IRNA news agency.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway exported livestock hides and skins worth US$10.6 million in January, a fall of 4.7% compared with the same month in 2003.

Mongolia's Minister of Trade and Industry, Chimeddorjiin Ganzorig, has indicated that Mongolia is interested in exporting hides to South Korea in return for South Korean manufactured products, according to the Montsame news agency. The Mongolian minister also suggested the signing of a free trade agreement between the two countries.

Latvia's Central Statistical Bureau reports that Latvia exported leather and leather products worth US$26.1 million in 2003, compared with US$16.7 million the previous year. Latvia also imported the same types of commodities worth US$28.9 million, against US$16.9 million in 2002.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in 2003 was 23.3% lower than in 2002. Total sales of leather and leather products by producers in the same period were 21.9% lower year-on-year, including a fall in sales of 20.9% on the domestic market and 22.3% lower sales on export markets.

Coming off the back of a reported slow autumn/winter season, organisers of Footwear UK say they were pleased with attendance levels at their recent show. ABC audited figures reveal more than a 15% increase in visitor registrations on the equivalent season's show in February 2003, even discounting crossover from the neighbouring MODA shows which are not included in the final Footwear tally.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in 2003 was 19.3% lower than in the previous year. In comparison, overall industrial output in the Czech Republic in 2003 was 5.8% higher year-on-year.

Increasing raw material prices and a strong euro versus the dollar kept most tanners optimism down at the recent 23rd Pielespaña International leather exhibition held in Barcelona. In general, last year was very difficult for the domestic tanning industry although Spanish garment leather makers did fair better than those producing footwear uppers according to the sectorial association CEC-Fecur.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Statistical Office reports that 27,533 head of cattle totalling 3,581 tons were slaughtered in the country's abattoirs in the fourth quarter of 2003. In comparison, 23,872 head of cattle totalling 3,208 tons were slaughtered in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Two new senior appointments have been made at BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd, reflecting the organisation's pro-active approach to the changing needs of the leather industry supply chain. Dr Andrew Hudson has been appointed technical manager and Dr Amanda Long, is now special projects manager.

Two prestigious UK grants have recently been awarded to BLC Leather Technology Centre to carry out research into biofuel production from leather waste. Funded through the £20 million DTI Renewable Energy Programme, the projects will investigate the production of liquid transport fuels from solid waste generated during the leather manufacturing process. Renewable energy comes from continuously available sources, which do not rely on exhaustible fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. The projects are highly innovative and support the UK Government's strong commitment to renewable energy targets as outlined in the Energy white paper.

Vietnam's central Quang Nam province has taken action to stop an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which had affected nearly 2,000 buffalo, 1,000 cattle and 200 pigs by mid-February. The first case was reported in December.

The 7th edition of the international leather fair, LeShow, will be held at the Expocentr, Moscow, July 6-8. According to the organisers' figures, last year more than 10,000 visitors attended the show from 25 countries. Most visitors attend from Russia and the other former Soviet block countries such as the Ukraine and Belarus.

Despite the current difficulties in the leather market, Neocolor have experienced good trading and even in 2003 increased their sales in tons and value. In November, they achieved their goal of 1,000 tons of dyestuff powder sold.

A number of new projects and partnerships were announced at the 19th India International Leather Fair (IILF) held in Chennai (Madras), January 31 - February 4. The projects are aimed at upgrading the Indian leather sector and include collaboration with CSIRO in Australia, the US giant DuPont and agreements with Italian companies.

An International Conference on Development of Ostrich Estate 2004 (ICDOE 2004) is being held from April 3-5, 2004, at Xi, an international conference centre in Xi an City, Shaanxi Province, China.

An inquest into the death of a 25 year old University College Northampton, (Nene) leather student has been formally opened and adjourned following a fatal car accident on January 24. Mr Seow a Singaporean student on a one-year course at the British School of Leather Technology (BSLT) was killed when the car he was travelling in came off of an entry slip road to a service station on a motorway, near Northampton, and collided with a concrete curb. Four men were in the car at the time of the crash. Three were from Singapore and one from Hong Kong. BSLT student Kangwee Lim, the driver of the car, was arrested on the suspicion of drink driving and was released on bail until February 21.

The UK leather merchants and wholesalers industry is ranked 745th for investment attractiveness out of 1,015 UK industries, according to Plimsoll Publishing's newly launched Industry Investment Index. Every £100 invested in the UK leather merchants and wholesalers industry returns an average £3.99, compared with the overall UK industry average of £5.39. This level of return represents a poor investment opportunity.

Turkish traders purchased livestock hides and skins worth several tens of thousands of dollars at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan in early January, according to the Turkmen Dowlet Habarlar Gullugy news agency.

Russia's State Statistics Committee reports that Russia imported leather footwear worth US$117 million in 2003, with nearly all of these imports coming from countries outside of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The UK leathergoods retailing industry is ranked 918th for investment attractiveness out of 1,015 UK industries, according to Plimsoll Publishing's newly launched Industry Investment Index. Every £100 invested in the UK leathergoods retail industry returns an average £2.57, compared with the overall UK industry average of £5.39. This level of return represents a poor investment opportunity.

The Laidars G livestock breeders co-operative in Latvia is to hold negotiations with interested parties on exporting livestock to Sweden and Russia, according to Baltic Business News. The company are currently negotiating the export of 500-800 cattle a month to Arab states.

Kazakh customs officials seized 24 tonnes of smuggled cattle skins at the Sar border post on the Uzbek border in mid-February, according to UzReport. Two Kazakh citizens were detained for questioning.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary imported raw hides and skins worth US$1.5 million in 2003, a fall of 22% compared with the previous year. Hungarian exports of the same types of commodities were 5.7% lower year-on-year at US$8.8 million.

Statistics Denmark reports that Denmark exported leather and leather products worth US$8.86 million in November 2003, compared with US$9.10 million in the same month the previous year.

Cyprus' Statistical Service reports that Cyprus imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$27.3 million in the first eleven months of 2003. Exports of the same types of commodities were worth US$5 million during the same period.

Croatia's Bureau of Statistics reports that Croatia exported leather and leather products worth US$43 million in 2003, compared with US$40 million the previous year. Croatian imports of the same types of commodities in 2003 were worth US$90 million, compared with US$78 million in 2002.

Albania's National Statistics Institute reports that Albania exported leather and leather products worth US$11 million in the first eleven months of 2003, compared with US$13.2 million in the same period in 2002.

The US cattle herd has dropped to the lowest level since 1959, according to the latest cattle herd inventory released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). As at 1 January 2004, there were 94.9 million cattle in the US, 1.3% (1.2 million head) below last year as the herd entered its eighth year of liquidation.

Rohm and Haas have reported full-year 2003 sales of $6.421 billion, representing a 12% increase over 2002, with organic growth of approximately 4%, currencies accounting for approximately 5%, and acquisitions representing 2%. The organic growth was across most of the businesses. Full year earnings were $280 million.

Slovakia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Slovak Republic in 2003 was 2% higher than in the previous year. In comparison, overall industrial output in Slovakia in 2003 was 5.7% higher year-on-year.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway imported 175 tonnes of leather and leather products worth US$4 million in December 2003, compared with 158 tonnes worth US$3.4 million in the same month the previous year. Exports of the same types of commodities in December 2003 totalled 78 tonnes worth US$3 million), against 54 tonnes worth US$2.87 million in December 2002.

Kazakhstan's National Statistics Agency reports that Kazakhstan produced 94 million square decimetres of leather from cattle hides in 2003, a year-on-year increase of 34.5%, according to the Interfax news agency. Leather production from sheep and pig was 46% higher year-on-year at 32,000 square decimetres. Kazakhstan also produced 24.2 tonnes of chrome tanning agents in 2003, a year-on-year increase of 20.8%.

Reports from Kazakhstan indicate that Kazakh leather exports to the Czech Republic increased year-on-year in the first eleven months of 2003, within an overall rise in Kazakh exports to the Czech market, according to the Interfax news agency.

Iran's Central Bank reports that Iran exported 27,436 tons of livestock products worth US$94.9 million in the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 21 - November 20, 2003), according to the IRNA news agency.

Exotan, the exotic leather tannery in Port Elizabeth and Camdeboo Meat Processors an EU approved abattoir based in Graaff-Reinet merged on January 1, 2004. The new venture will be known in future as Camexo SA Ltd.

Encouraged by low interest rates and the need to gain a competitive edge, 36% of the Top 306 UK leathergoods retailers have spent the last three years gradually increasing their levels of debt. These companies are now faced with severe commercial disadvantage: debt is threatening their survival in the industry and exposing them to their competitors as potential acquisition opportunities. A company's financial health can appear misleadingly favourable on the surface. The latest Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis - Leather Goods Retailers exposes the facts that many of the top 306 companies in the UK leathergoods retailing industry would rather we did not know.

Encouraged by low interest rates and the need to gain a competitive edge, 30% of the Top 180 UK Leather Merchants & Wholesalers companies have spent the last 3 years gradually increasing their levels of debt. These companies are now faced with severe commercial disadvantage: debt is threatening their survival in the industry and exposing them to their competitors as potential acquisition opportunities. A company's financial health can appear misleadingly favourable on the surface. The latest Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis - Leather Merchants & Wholesalers goes beneath the 'tip of the iceberg', exposing the facts that many of the top 180 companies in the UK Leather Merchants & Wholesalers industry would rather we did not know.

Kazakhstan's National Statistics Agency reports that the number of cattle in Kazakhstan as of January 1 this year was 4.86 million head, an increase of 6.5% compared with a year earlier, according to the Interfax news agency.

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Israel imported leather and leather products worth US$65 million in 2003, as compared with US$71 million in 2002 and US$77 million in 2001. Israeli exports of the same types of commodities in 2003 were worth US$13 million, against US$13 million and US$17 million in 2002 and 2001 respectively.

The Forward Group, India, and Conceria Virginia, Italy, have agreed a joint venture for the setting up of a 6 million sq ft/year modern leather manufacturing facility in Chennai which is scheduled to start production in June 2004.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that labour productivity in the Croatian leather industry in 2003 was 7.5% higher than in the previous year. In comparison, labour productivity in the Croatian economy as a whole last year was 7.7% higher than in 2002.

Prices in all major selections rose sharply over the Christmas and New Year period following the announcement of a single case of BSE in Washington State on December 23. Hide markets reacted quickly to concerns over declines in American hide supply and pushed up prices. For example, heavy Texas steers rose from $67 per piece on December 21 to $72 by early January. However, the hide suppliers did not have everything their own way as many tanners, especially in Asia, resisted pressure to enter the market. Chinese and Taiwanese tanners stayed away in early January while prices remained high. Industry analysts were anticipating price declines in early 2004 before the BSE story hit the headlines and the reverse took place.

The shoe and leather fair in Guangzhou (Canton) and the Italian Lineapelle Asia fair brought moderately positive news. Fact is it could have been much worse. We hear of plenty of attendance especially by the South Chinese shoe manufacturers, good interest for fashionable typical Italian leathers and many sample orders on good European and North American hides.

Due to the single case of BSE discovered in Washington just before Christmas, world hide markets reacted to concerns of declines in American hide supply. This caused prices of all major selections to advance sharply.

Despite an often sluggish 2003, the US/Mexican hide trade concluded last year with a very strong December. It is important to note, for the Mexicans, the official holiday season kicked off on December 19.

The new year has arrived carrying the baggage from the old year. The case of BSE in a cow in the USA was confirmed during the Christmas shut down and the effect of this was yet to be determined at the time of writing.

Willi Vaskovich retired as president and chief executive officer of Stahl International bv at the end of 2003 after a long and illustrious career with the company. His long association with Stahl will continue as he remains a director of the management board of Stahl Holdings bv.

Restructuring at the SIC Group, Paris, has led to the closing of the press and communications department. Erica Caron left the organisation after the last edition of Le Cuir A Paris and Elisabeth Saliba leaves at the end of the month (January). Sandra Maguarian, show manager, Le Cuir A Paris, has also left the group.

Tony Mossop assumed the chair of SHALC at the recent annual general meeting in Johannesburg. Pierre van Niekerk, who originally took over the role from Mossop a couple of years ago, wanted a break but remains as vice chairman. The secretariat remains with Mark Oosthuizen, fax: +27 41 3653299.

Laura Canos will represent Turkish leather fair organisers Ezgi Ajans and will cover the Spanish market as a sales agent. She will represent the International Leather Days, Golden Horn fairs and all other leather industry activities on behalf of Ezgi Ajans. This is effective from the beginning of 2004.

Derek Waterfield, president of the Fellmongers Association from 1996 onwards and former president of the National Federation of Hides and Skins Markets, died in December.

Scottish Tanning Industries Ltd have announced the following board appointments at three of their subsidiary companies:

Betty M Haines, MBE, BSc, FRMS, FSLTC, who died on November 24, 2003, at the age of 78, had a long and distinguished career in the leather industry. Betty was one of a line of eminent lady scientists employed by the British Leather Manufacturers' Research Association since its inception in 1920.

Mercan Makina, the Turkish tannery machinery makers, launched their new stainless drum at Tanning Tech.

GER Elettronica have designed a machine which area measures finished leather and then is able to pack the leather for shipment. Rotopack is also able to label or stamp each piece of leather passing through and is fully automated. The model on display at Tanning Tech was designed for upholstery hides although it can be used on sides.