Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that there were 7.83 million cattle on farms in Ukraine as of May 1 this year, as compared with 7.16 million on January 1 and 8.32 million on May 1 last year.

Expofil, Premiere Vision, Le Cuir a Paris, Indigo and Mod'Amont are joining forces under a new label. Not by accident did the five salons held at the same time at the Parc d'Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepinte come together. Expofil, Premiere Vision, Le Cuir a Paris, Indigo and Mod'Amont all complement each other and form a strong and coherent ensemble.

A recent three-day training seminar provided by Stahl's Colours and Tanning Products Division provided an opportunity for eighteen international students at the British School of Leather Technology to receive detailed information backed by practical training in the use of retanning, fatliquoring and dyeing products. Majoring on the Stahl brand name, the seminar was run by Jacques Daamen, senior C&TP sales technologist from Stahl Europe and Laurence Irwin, LPP Manager C&TP from Stahl International.

Stahl Europe bv have successfully developed and started up a new reactor train, based on in-line reaction technology, for the production of specialised polyurethane dispersions. These are used in downstream formulations for Stahl's leather finish and permuthane product lines. The official opening of the new facilities at Waalwijk, the Netherlands, took place on April 22 to coincide with festivities celebrating fifty years of Stahl in Europe.

Latvia's Central Statistical Bureau reports that Latvia exported raw hides and skins, leather and leather products, worth US$1.22 million in March, with 75.5% of exports going to the European Union. Imports of the same types of commodities in March were worth US$2.43 million, with 75.4% of imports coming from the EU.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in March was 67.8% lower than in the same month last year. The combined turnover of leather industry companies in March was 38.6% lower year-on-year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first quarter of this year was 25.1% lower than in the same period in 2004. Hungarian leather industry companies saw their sales fall by 26.3% year-on-year in the January to March period, including a fall in sales of 20.8% on the domestic Hungarian market and 28.2% lower sales on export markets.

Eagle Ottawa of the United States is reportedly building a new factory for the production of leather car seats in Szolnok in central Hungary, according to the Interfax news agency. The factory will be completed by the end of this year and will employ 250 people.

The management of the Siauliu Stumbras leather producer in Lithuania is reported to have initiated bankruptcy proceedings against the company but the company intends to continue production, according to Baltic Business News. Although at present the company's debts, worth US$15.0 million, exceed the value of their assets, Siauliu Stumbras' operations are expected to become profitable and allow them to pay off creditors within about twelve months.

Armenia's National Statistics Service reports that Armenia produced leather and leather products worth US$728,000 in 2004, a year-on-year fall of 1.9%, according to the Interfax news agency.

Slovakia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Slovak Republic in the first quarter of this year was 0.5% higher than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, overall industrial output in Slovakia in the January to March period was 0.3% higher year-on-year.

Estonia OÜ is building Estonia's largest dairy farm in Oisu in Järvamaa county, according to the LETA news agency. The farm will accommodate 1,100 cows from next autumn.

Münzing Chemie, Heilbronn, Germany, are celebrating 175 years in the market. With the family now in its sixth generation, with Dr Michael Münzing heading the family enterprise, they are now forming themselves worldwide as the Münzing Group, for example with the acquisition of Ultra Additives in the United States.

Size and scale are no advantage when it comes to overall financial success, according to a new study by leather merchants and wholesalers industry analysts Plimsoll Publishing. It seems the industry's smaller players are putting their larger counterparts to shame when it comes to overall financial performance. The study has looked at the industry's largest 44 companies and compared their financial performance with that of 174 smaller UK leather merchants and wholesalers competitors. There is no doubting the dominance of these 44 'major players'. They currently control almost 94% of the market. Yet look beyond their size at their individual financial performance and their image appears somewhat staid.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that cattle slaughter in Ireland in the first quarter of this year were 16.1% lower than in the same period in 2004.

GST AutoLeather and Cueros Industrializados del Bajio SA de CV (Cuinba) have announced that they have signed a letter of intent to enter into a long-term strategic technology and supply alliance under which Cuinba will provide GST with re-tanning and other services, and cooperate in developing best in class technology.

The Balkan region has had a long history in manufacturing footwear but a famous Italian company is now putting an emphasis on it for a market too. Filanto Albania, part of the worldwide Gruppo Filanto have established a commercial office at their Tirana, Albania, manufacturing operation which will market their products in Albania and the newly emerging countries which made up the former Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Macedonia and the Kosovo region).

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the number of cattle on farms in the Czech Republic on April 1 this year was 1.39 million, 2.2% fewer than the number on the same date in 2004, according to the CTK news agency's Business News.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that productivity in the Croatian leather industry in March was 2.8% lower than in the same month last year. The number of people employed in the industry was 7.1% lower year-on-year.

On May 2, Norsk Kjøtt B&I (Norway Meat) changed their name. The new name is: Norilia BA. The address, telephone and fax will all be the same, but the internet site will shortly be found on [http://www.norilia.no]

Bulgaria's Agriculture Ministry reported in mid-May that Bulgaria will now allow cattle that were born after January 1, 2003, to be imported from France, the Netherlands and Denmark, according to the Bulgarian Telegraphic Agency. Previously, only cattle born after July 1, 2003, were allowed to be imported from these three countries. The import restriction is associated with the situation regarding BSE in France, the Netherlands and Denmark.

Albania's National Statistics Institute reports that Albania imported leather and leather products worth US$12.8 million in the first quarter of this year, compared with US$16.6 million in the same period in 2004.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that manufacturers of leather and leather products in Ukraine sold products worth US$41.9 million in the first quarter of this year. This figure accounted for 0.2% of total product sales by manufacturers in Ukraine in the same period.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$17.5 million in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year fall of 21.2%. Exports of leather products were 4.5% higher year-on-year at US$71.5 million. Turkey imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$113 million in the January to March period, a year-on-year fall of 22.8%.

T&J Global Resources Ltd will this year invest US$15 million to build a canned fruit factory in Ben Tre Province, a seafood factory and a shoe factory in Quang Nam Province, said Nguyen Thanh Ha, the company chairman. He made the announcement at the opening of the American-owned company's HCM City office early this week.

Wolfgang Schwaiger, head of the leather finishing department in the Leather Business Unit at LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, retired on March 17, 2005. He is succeeded by the 43-year-old leather technologist Michael Franken.

Delegates from 25 countries made the SATRA stand a focal point at the latest Asia Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong, making the event one of the technology centre's most productive missions yet to the Far East. 'Visitors from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan made up the majority of callers reflecting SATRA's growing reputation in this key part of the manufacturing world', says SATRA deputy chief executive Richard Turner.

Chairman, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), Khawaja M Yousuf hailed the government's decision for allowing duty free imports of live animals from India and neighbouring countries, aimed particularly at meeting the requirements of meat at cheaper prices in the country for which quarantine houses are being established, according to a PTA press release. He further stated that with the import of livestock not only would the price of meat be cut but also the country would have a sufficient quantity of raw hides and skins as required by the leather sector industry.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary exported leather and leather products worth US$20.8 million in January and February, a rise of 8.3% year-on-year. Hungarian imports of the same types of commodities were 8.9% lower year-on-year in January and February at US$54.2 million.

Georgia's State Statistics Department reports that the production of leather and leather products in Georgia in the first quarter of this year was 24.1% lower than in the same period last year, according to the Interfax news agency. In comparison, overall industrial output in Georgia was 7.1% higher year-on-year.

In conjunction with the 3rd International Ratite Science Symposium and ExpOstrich,The World Ostrich Congress (WOC) XII takes place in Madrid, Spain, from 14-16 October 2005. The programme for the World Ostrich Congress XII is almost complete and can be viewed at http://www.ostrichresources.com/woc2005.php

The Czech Agrarian Chamber reports that cattle numbers in the Czech Republic have fallen to their lowest ever levels, resulting in problems in maintaining a million hectares of meadows, according to the CTK news agency's Business News. Domestic beef production this year will be well below beef demand.

SIMAC closed in Bologna on April 29, after four up and down days, leaving operators with a confident feeling. Amilcare Baccini, director of Assomac, the association that organises and promotes the event, summed it up as follows: 'given the general trend in the footwear and leathergoods sectors, I was expecting the worst; but, although the flow was not constant, the visitors came in number and showed interest, especially in the stands proposing new ideas and special initiatives. It is hard to draw a final balance because, like other trade fairs, SIMAC no longer represents a market opportunity but a moment of encounter, contact and promotion.'

Urban, Chic, Exotic, Surreal or Natural? At a first glance it might seem to be a crazy package including a CD, leather samples, pictures and some trend and article descriptions. But, take a few minutes and let yourself be inspired by this latest forecasting for the next spring-summer season. A multisensory experience developed to create inspirations and add more value to the final leather article.

The latest acquisition of TFL Ledertechnik GmbH (Germany) made on April 1st, 2005, will be renamed TFL Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, thus becoming a legal unit of the TFL Group. The new TFL subsidiary in Sri Lanka organises support in beamhouse, wet-end and finishing for the countries in South Asia (mainly Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). Together with the sales and logistic teams they contribute to a better and more personalised service for the tanners in the area. TFL Lanka is fully equipped with a warehouse to guarantee on time deliveries to its customers.

According to E Carbajo, secretario del grupo de trabajo WPSA Ratites and presidente organizador del 3er Symposium Cientifico, the next symposium is to move to another venue while the dates remain unchanged. This is due to the distance between the El Escorial venue to Madrid Airport and Madrid DC (50 km). The organizing committee have decided select a new venue and a new philosophy in Madrid Ratite Events (3rd Symposium XII Congreso Mundial y Expostrich) with the same date (October 14-16).

Kyrgyzstan first-quarter production

Kazakhstan's National Statistics Agency reports that Kazakhstan's leather industry recorded a total production value of US$3.80 million in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year fall of 15.%, according to the Interfax news agency. The fall in production value was mainly due to a fall in production of leather from cattle hides, and lower production of leather saddles and bridles.

Israel's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Israel exported raw hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$3.7 million in the first quarter of this year, compared with US$2.7 million in the same period last year. Israeli imports of the same types of commodities in the January to March period were worth US$21.8 million, as against US$17.3 million in the same period in 2004.

Estonia's Statistical Office reports that Estonia exported raw hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$5.28 million in February, with imports of the same types of commodities during the month worth US$3.41 million.

The 16th edition of Madrid's International Leather week (Sipiel), which ran from April 1-3, was inaugurated by Spain's minister for culture, Carmen Calvo. Sipiel incorporates the Modacalzado footwear show and Iberpiel Marroquineria leathergoods show. This edition of Sipiel confirmed its place among Europe's top three footwear and leathergoods shows in terms of the quality and variety of styles on show.

The supervisory board of the chemical company LANXESS AG is now complete. The stockholder representatives, Dr Rolf Stomberg, Dr Friedrich Janssen, Dr Jürgen F Kammer, Robert J Koehler, Rainer Laufs, Lutz Lingnau, Prof Ulrich Middelmann and Dr Sieghardt Rometsch, were elected prior to the spin-off of LANXESS from Bayer. Their membership took effect upon the registration of an amendment to the company's Articles of Association on February 25, 2005.

Slovakia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Slovak Republic in the first two months of this year was 11.3% higher than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, overall industrial output in Slovakia in January and February was 2.7% higher year-on-year.

The Slovak Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$9.56 million in January, a year-on-year fall of 18.9%. Slovakia's imports of the same types of commodities were 26% higher year-on-year at US$25 million.

New standards set for safety footwear sold in Europe have created an unprecedented demand for testing at SATRA and the UK technology centre has responded quickly to prepare test programmes for CE marking * safety certifying * safety and protective footwear. As a result SATRA is discounting test fees for the new BS EN ISO 20344 safety footwear standards until the end of August 2005. Single sample test fees will be discounted by 20%, while multiple samples will be eligible for reductions up to 33%. These discounts are available to all footwear manufacturers and suppliers regardless of whether they are already SATRA customers or have had previous products certified at other Notified Bodies.

Lithuania's Labour Exchange has reported that the Vilnius-based Apavikta footwear producer has announced 220 redundancies, according to the LETA news agency. The company halted operations earlier this year.

The 2005 winners of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise, the UK's leading accolade for business success included a manufacturer of high quality leather goods (Checker Leather) among the 137 Awards, the highest total for ten years. In total, 88 Awards were announced for achievements in International Trade, 41 for Innovation and 8 for Sustainable Development. Winners range in size from a small firm with only two employees to an international giant employing nearly 4,500. 47% of this year's winners employ less than 50 people and 30% are from the service sector.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway exported raw hides and skins worth US$25.1 million in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year fall of 15.2%.

Statistics New Zealand reports that New Zealand exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$357 million in the twelve months to the end of February this year. This figure was 12.2% lower year-on-year.

LANXESS Deutschland GmbH does not hang around to see what the latest trends are - it sets its own! At this spring's trade fairs, the company showed what leathers will be 'en vogue' in the fashion industry in the Spring/Summer 2006 season. There are four main trends featuring a wide range of colours. The company's leather experts have gotten together with an Italian stylist to produce a collection of 21 leathers - five for furniture and the remainder for footwear upper - that are in keeping with these trends.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in February was 44.2% than in the same month last year. In comparison, overall industrial output in Ireland in February was 4.8% lower year-on-year.

Shafi Reso-Chem Pakistan recently organised an 'Innovative Leather Showcase' for their customers in Pakistan. The programme was successfully organised in Karachi, Lahore and Sialkot presenting latest articles developed by Reso technicians. The basic theme was to show and discuss articles keeping in view the fashion forecast of 2005-2006. The major chemical categories focused in the showcase included high quality retanning and fatliquors from their principles ALPA SpA, Italy.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first two months of this year was 27.5% lower than in the same period in 2004. Hungarian leather industry companies saw their sales fall by 28.3% year-on-year in January and February, including a fall in sales of 16.2% on the domestic Hungarian market and 32% lower sales on export markets.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in February was 13.7% lower than in the same month last year. In comparison, the annual increase in overall industrial output in the Czech Republic in February was 5.6%.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in March was 18.4% lower than in the same month last year. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia in March was 2.9% lower year-on-year.

BASF have launched their colour trends for the Autumn/Winter season 2006/2007. The company release colour forecasts twice a year to give tanners an insight into the shades that will dominate the garments, accessories, footwear and upholstery markets in the forthcoming seasons. Colours forecast in the Toni Moda range reflect the shades found in nature in the autumn time. What would our world be without colours? They radiate before our eyes, inspiring the senses. They float, they dance, and they sparkle. They create charisma and personality. They play a key role in our lives: as a favourite coat with casual elegance, as a soft dream bag, or as a bright, cheeky eye-catcher.

All sectors of the global leather industry were again represented at the annual Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) April 6-9, Hong Kong, with notable increases in trade visitors from many countries, particularly in Asia, Eastern Europe and South America.

Key product personnel from leading UK footwear manufacturers have praised Satra's latest safety critical workshop. Slip and high heel failures are the two major causes of accident and consumer returns and these issues were put under the spotlight by Satra's experts. Mark Southam explained EU legislation as it affects sale and supply, Mike George described Satra's slip testing programme and heel breakages, Simon Courtney examined aspects of correct heel attachment, Sarah Hindle discussed sole adhesion and Jackie Glasspool reviewed the safety of children's footwear.

Stahl's display at the FIMEC Fair in Brazil will be looking ahead to spring and summer 2006 for colours and effects. The current spring/summer 2006 Colour Fashion Forecast will be projected forward to form the basis of the colours in the display, the shades of which will be chosen to suit the South American markets.

In an overall positive mood the I.L.M Winter Styles - the international leathergoods fair for autumn/winter 2005/6 - closed its doors in Offenbach looking back on a successful start to the season. 212 exhibitors from 15 countries presented their collection novelties of fashionable bags and leathergoods during the three-day long trade fair.

The leather, footwear and leathergoods sector in Italy are undergoing a difficult period. Production is at risk and globalized competition continues to become more and more severe. But it also means that the excellent entrepreneurial school that the Italian sector has been able to create regarding footwear and leathergoods technology is present more than ever and continues to be the protagonist. So, Simac in Bologna, April 26-29, is still an important show alongside Lineapelle.

Organisers of Footwear London at Olympia, DEW Events Limited, have reported a good turnout at the April 2005 show, with a steady flow of visitors right up till it closed on the third day. Show Director David Wilkins said that positive feedback had surpassed his expectations, representing an increasing confidence in the late-season buying event in London. Since its launch last year, the show has grown by 24% in terms of the number of exhibitors, with a rise of 18% in square metres of space taken.

How important are the leaders of a company to its financial performance? According to industry analysts Plimsoll Publishing Ltd, we are about to find out, as one in three of UK Leather Merchants & Wholesalers company directors will be aged over 60 by the end of 2005. As these industry stalwarts near the end of their career, who will follow in their footsteps?

Spanish Footwear company Pikolinos Intercontinental have launched their new ecological footwear collection, which has been awarded the European Eco-Label.

Trumpler's new daughter company Trumpler Chemicals and Dyes (Jiaxing) Co Ltd has been commissioned on schedule. The new facility is located about halfway between Shanghai and Haining, one of the main leather making centres in China.

Türkiye is famous for fashion and quality in garments and doubleface in particular. Together with their Turkish agent GOS Kimya, Smit & Zoon have been able to introduce a wide range of fatliquors to suit the high requirements of the Turkish tanneries. A strong advantage of their fatliquors, compared to traditional suppliers, is their use in lower temperature water. Their range focuses on: softness, brilliancy, light weight, fullness, wring-effect and pleasant touch.

Following a lacklustre January event, the IDF, Istanbul leather fair which was supposed to be organised for June 2005 has been postponed until January 2006. The recent show, the second edition of the fair, reflected the difficulties of the industry and both exhibitor and visitor numbers were reported as being down.

Leather and property group, Schaffer Corporation of Perth, have reported a sharp fall in earnings in the December half-year, with profit down 34% from A$10.1 to A$6.7 million (US$5.3 million) as earnings in the two main divisions fell, taking group revenue down 27% to A$76.6 million (US$60.7 million). Revenue fell 16% in the automotive leather division after the Chinese government restricted consumer credit. This depressed car sales and affected auto suppliers, reducing demand for Schaffer's leather, made by their Victorian subsidiary Howe Leather. Executive chairman John Schaffer, however, was optimistic about the future of the car industry in China, and Howe Leather plan to set up a leather-cutting plant in Shanghai.

The new production buildings at the Lanxess Wuxi Chemicals Co Ltd site in Wuxi, China, were officially opened on February 28, 2005. This expansion will allow the company to significantly increase production capacities for leather chemicals. Production of synthetic tanning materials started in January 2005 and even the very first batch met the high quality requirements of the test laboratory.

At the end of last year, Tanneries Nouvelles Pechdo, Millau, France, were awarded the prize for Clean and Energy Saving Technologies. This prize awards industrial/sales companies involved in the development of an innovative industrial process encouraging energy efficiency and reducing pollution.

Hunter Tait, managing director of Tasman Tanning based in Wanganui, New Zealand, was upbeat about market conditions as a new NZ$5 million (US$3.7million) tannery went online late in February. At the same time the company welcomed a delegation from the US where Tasman say they are making significant inroads.

In response to their philosophy of continuous improvement and optimised customer service, A Smit & Zoon have recently bought a new Ambra milling drum from Erretre. With this investment A Smit & Zoon can now meet the ever increasing demand for soft milled articles such as bag leathers and floaters as well as the requirements caused by the specific milling properties of chrome-free leathers. They are also able to respond to the challenges posed by the current fashion trends and technical demands.

As a result of globalisation and constant market changes, the Möller Group have decided to restructure their business unit Leather. This primarily involves leather production at the tannery in Bielefeld which will be terminated to a large extent.

When it comes to top of the range luxury cars, consumers still want leather upholstery. Despite pressure from animal rights organisations to provide an alternative, the customer still apparently prefers leather.

Lanxess K K, the Japanese subsidiary of the Leverkusen-based chemicals group, have inaugurated their new headquarters in Tokyo. Referring to the ceremony, Lanxess board member Dr Martin Wienkenhöver, who is in charge of Asian business, said that Japan is the most important market in Asia.

A significant numbers of jobs could be lost following a WTO Doha Development Round agreement which will slash tariffs. Increased competition would make rich country leather sector employment fall: by 30% in Japan and by 20% in Canada. Rationalisation in poor countries would also spark job losses although of less than 10%, except in Bangladesh, where 13.6% job losses are predicted. Some emerging economies would pick up the slack, however. Bulgaria would 'enjoy export gains in all sectors, particularly leather, with job numbers rising by 5.2%. South-east Asia's leather industry would boom, boosting job numbers by 24.5% and China would gain 8.2% more leather industry jobs.

The IULTCS Congress in Florence, organised by the host country's Associazione Italiana dei Chimici del Cuoio (AICC), introduced a new format for the congress which replaces the Heidemann Symposium with a Heidemann lecture and gives more prominence to the visual displays, previously referred to as posters, giving the authors a five minute opportunity to introduce their ideas the congress audience.

The first foreign tanner to directly invest in the Indian leather sector, a 50:50 joint venture between the Chennai-based Forward Group and Conceria Virginia Italy (CVI), began operations on January 28, 2005. The facility, located on the outskirts of Chennai covers an area of 50,000 sq ft. Conceria Virginia Chennai (CVC) is the first bovine tannery in India to incorporate Italian tanning technology and expertise. Rs12 crores (US$2.75million) has been invested in the facility which will produce 6 million sq ft per annum for a wide range of products including calf leather, heavy leather, performance leather, suedes and nubuck. The entire leather making process from wet-blue to the finished product will be carried out under the same roof. The tannery is connected to the Pallavaram tanners and industrial effluent plant and the local central effluent treatment plant, thereby ensuring 100% protection to the environment around the facility. Effluents from the factory will be treated according to standards maintained in India and Italy. CVI will train over 50 employees to use the technology which has been installed at the plant.

The on-going row between the South African and Australian governments regarding the latter's official assistance to leather exports destined for Australia, has resulted in a major change in South African support policy, which has enraged local leather companies.

The Department of Trade and Industry have just announced a £2 million grant to support a Science and Innovation project to develop a commercially viable gasification system for generating energy from wastes from leather and leather products. The two-year project will be led by the Northampton-based BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd.

East Hides Group, the prolific hide and skin traders based in the UK, are about to lay the foundations for their second tannery in Kazakhstan, this time in the south of the country. They already own a tannery in northern Kazakhstan.

The CTC Groupe, based in Lyon, France, have reinforced their presence in China by opening their new Chinese subsidiary company: CTC Shanghai. CTC Shanghai are located in one of the most dynamic Chinese areas for production of shoes and leathergoods. China is now responsible for nearly 75% of world shoe production. This is CTC's second Chinese establishment and will bring them closer to their clients. CTC Shanghai will offer all of the Groupe CTC services to manufacturers and retailers from China and abroad. All of the services will be implemented in collaboration with CTC's American partner STR: physical testing to evaluate performance, comfort, safety, and quality features of footwear, gloves, luggage, and leather goods; chemical testing on products or their components: textiles, leather, plastics with inspections to check the conformity of end products at each manufacturing stage and shipping inspection; and social compliance audits and factory audits in production zones.

Plans to expand the ranks of the Canadian Forces by up to 5,000 new troops are likely to be hampered by the fact that the army is running out of boots. According to the National Post, the military is running out of combat boots for its new recruits, even before the widely anticipated announcement of additional soldiers.

With the rising profile and value of world brands there is an increasing need for due diligence in the supply chain. For retailers of leather products this means looking beyond the product manufacturer to the tanneries that make the leather, to ensure they comply with appropriate environmental, health and social guidelines.

French leather chemical manufacturers ATC are building a new production facility in Pondicherry, approximately 150 km south of Chennai. Production at the new 2.5 hectare site is due to start in May or June this year.

SUMMARY