The collapse of negotiations between the United States and the government of China on a trade agreement covering textile products, in the aftermath of agreements between China and the European Union (EU) on textile products under the China textile safeguard provision, will provide an important framework for discussion at Prime Source to be held next March in Hong Kong.

The Argentinian tannery Yoma SA have halted production and their continuity is looking doubtful. On September 23, the Yoma family, owners of the tannery stated that they would step aside from the company's management.

Westan tanning company in Tioga County, USA, closed at the end of April with a loss of more than 150 jobs. Westan gave notice that they were closing back in January after 138 years in business. At that time they employed 154 which was reduced to 50 at the end.

Although the recent earthquake was only in the northern part of Pakistan and did not damage the buildings or plant in Karachi the leather industry there has not been unscathed. Gulzar Firoz who has been chairman of the Pakistan Tanners Association for several years and still is the chairman of the Treatment Plant Society, told the press that all the tanneries which employed labour from NWFP in North and Azad Kashmir, the part of Kashmir which is controlled by Pakistan have returned to their homes compelling the tanneries to cut production.

Kasen, the huge Chinese leather and furniture manufacturer, plan to raise up to US$122.8 million in a Hong Kong initial public offering. The company are offering 304 million shares, 30% of their enlarged share capital. The expect to raise between HK$2.55 and HK$3.15 per share. That represents 10.3-12.8 times Kasen's 2005 earnings and 8-9.8 times the 2006 earnings forecast.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that there were a total of 7.43 million head of livestock in Ukraine on August 1 this year, a fall of 6.4% compared with the same date in 2004. In regional terms, the Vinnytsya oblast, with 472,300 head, had the most cattle in Ukraine, followed by the Lviv oblast with 431,100 head.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$315 million in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year fall of 21.7%. Turkish exports of the same types of commodities were 8.6% lower year-on-year at US$51.8 million. Turkey also exported leather products worth US$211 million in the January to August period, a year-on-year increase of 2.6%.

The Thai Commerce Ministry has set a target for Thai exports of leather products this year of US$1.53 billion, including leather sports footwear worth US$450 million, according to the Thai News Agency.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Serbia in the first eight months of this year was 4.4% lower than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, industrial output in Serbia in the January to August period was 0.7% lower year-on-year.

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first eight months of this year was 18.3% lower than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, manufacturing industry output in Macedonia in the January to August period was 9.4% higher year-on-year.

Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics Committee reports that Kyrgyzstan exported raw hides and skins, leather and leather products, worth US$5.34 million in the first half of this year, compared with US$4.50 million in the same period in 2004. Imports of the same types of products were worth US$1.41 million, as against US$1.20 million in the January to June period last year.

Ireland's Central Statistical Office reports that the number of cattle slaughtered in Ireland in the first eight months of this year was 6.3% lower than in the same period in 2004.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary imported leather and leather products worth US$196 million in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year decrease of 5.9%. Hungarian exports of the same types of commodities were 31.9% higher year-on-year at US$79.1 million.

Croatia's Bureau of Statistics reports that Croatia exported leather and leather products worth US$60 million in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year fall of 11.6%. Croatian imports of the same types of commodities were 3.5% higher year-on-year at US$94 million.

China's National Bureau of Statistics reports that investment in fixed assets in the Chinese leather industry totalled CNY11.1 billion (US$1.37 billion) in the first eight months of this year, an increase of 63.5% compared with the same period in 2004.

Brazil's National Statistics Institute reports that 7.26 million cattle were slaughtered in Brazil in the second quarter of this year, 12.5% more than in this year's first quarter and 12.9% more than in the second quarter of last year. The states of São Paulo, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás recorded the highest numbers of slaughtered animals in the second quarter this year.

Messe Offenbach, organisers of the International Leather Goods Fair (ILM) in Offenbach, have released their bag trends for spring/summer 2006.

Italian leather upholstery manufacturers Natuzzi SpA have announced that from mid-October, they will be calling back 90% of the workers that were temporarily laid off in June this year.

BASF announced at their Europe Strategy 2015 press conference on October 6 that they are raising their European profile in order to be even more successful in a fast and dramatically moving environment. Over the next few years, BASF want to outperform the market, in this way winning market share, cooperating more closely with customers, and expanding market position even more systematically in certain countries.

A Vietnamese business delegation was scheduled to hold talks with Cuban officials in Havana in early October on possible supplies of leathergoods to the Cuban market, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. The delegation was also expected to attend the 23rd Havana International Trade Fair during its visit.

Russian Prime Minister Mikail Fradkov says that he has ordered ministries to submit draft proposals on reducing or abolishing import duties on equipment that Russia does not produce itself, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. Equipment for the livestock production sector is one of the items singled out for import duty cuts, said the report.

Statistics New Zealand reports that New Zealand exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth NZ$446 million (US$303 million) in the twelve months to the end of August, a year-on-year fall of 18.7%.

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that cattle sales in Macedonia in the first half of this year were 24.3% higher than in the same period in 2004. However, sales in June were 1.9% lower year-on-year.

Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Kyrgyzstan in the first seven months of this year was 18.9% lower than in the same period in 2004, according to the Interfax news agency. In comparison, the annual fall in industrial output in Kyrgyzstan in the January to July period was 7.8%.

Israel's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Israel exported raw hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$11 million in the first eight months of this year, compared with US$7.7 million in the same period last year. Israeli imports of the same types of commodities in the January to August period were worth US$65.5 million, as against US$52.9 million in the same period in 2004.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the total number of cattle on farms in Hungary on August 1 this year was 722,000, compared with 721,000 on April 1 and 728,000 on August 1 last year.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in the first eight months of this year was 8.8% lower than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia in the January to August period was 4.8% higher year-on-year.

Ryazan Tannery, Russia's leading leather supplier, has become a member of SATRA. Quality director Alexander Suvorov quotes SATRA's modern global network as a key factor in joining and explains: 'Our quality is well established, but you can't succeed on quality alone. You also need to know which companies and areas need good leather, how they want it and when. We feel SATRA will help us in gaining better worldwide integration.'

Tasman Industries and their affiliates are one of the largest cattle hide processing and trading organizations in the US and they are still growing. Tasman are currently handling more than 85,000 hides/week across five locations, one of which is for pork. They have recently completed plant expansions at their Omaha and Amarillo facilities by adding 4,000 hides/day to their capacity. In addition they broker a further 10-15,000 hides/week which are sold directly to the tanners.

The organising committee of the World Ostrich Congress XII wish to announce that as a result of the high number of attendees registered from Brazil, they are pleased to offer an additional language. There will now be simultaneous translation in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Russia's foremost fashion fair CPM registered new attendance record with more than 14,000 buyers, according to the organisers who say that the upswing in the national fashion industry is set to continue unabated. On Saturday September 10, the fifth edition of CPM - Collection Premiere Moscow drew to a close registering a 16% rise in trade visitors over the previous event and 40% more than the previous year's event) from all regions of the Russian Federation. Organised by the IGEDO Company, a company forming part of the Messe Düsseldorf Group, CPM managed to consolidate its position as the most important and biggest fashion fair and trading platform for fashion in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Umberto Ciliao Sachelli, director of Apucacouros upholstery and footwear leather tannery, was invested as president of the Brazilian tanning industry association CICB, on September 14. The ceremony was held at the Courovisao fair in Novo Hamburgo.

With effect from October 15, 2005, Buckman Laboratories will implement a 10% company-wide price increase across all product lines. Additional increases will be necessary on selected products. The price increase is attributed to unprecedented increases in raw material and energy costs in the last 24 months.

The annual conference of the UK branch of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists will be held on October 15, 2005 at the Royal Kings Arms Hotel in Lancaster. Delegates wishing to attend this year's conference should contact Pat Potter (membership secretary) at patpotter9@msn.com for further information.

The US Senate have voted to retain a ban on the imports of Japanese beef into the country. Although there have been twenty cases of BSE in Japan, the Senate vote was 72-26 in favour of preventing Japanese beef coming into the US in retaliation for the continuing on US beef into Japan.

Kansas has signed a trade agreement with Taiwan as part of a deal for US beef producers to furnish beef hides. The trade agreement calls for Taiwan to import up to 6 million hides from the US in 2006 and 2007. The agreement is worth about $420 million - nearly $130 million with Kansas alone.

ASTM International Committee D31 on Leather has decided to reactivate Subcommittee D31.05 on Upholstery. During a period of inactivity for several years, the subcommittee was combined with Subcommittee D31.04 on Apparel. However, the last two years have seen an increase in the level of participation from people involved in upholstery leather manufacturing, so the subcommittees have again been separated.

Exhibitors and visitors alike delivered a powerfully upbeat verdict from the recent 2005 All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE), the China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) and Moda Shanghai, cementing their position as leading trade fairs China. The 'Three in One' format exhibition ran from September 7-9, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Pudong.

The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPO) is to help 20 small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam producing leather and leather products to develop their export business, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. The project does not cover the leather footwear sector. Switzerland will send a delegation to Vietnam in October to study and select enterprises for the project.

The value of leather shoe production in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam increased by 27% in the first eight months of this year as compared with the same period in 2004, according to the Vietnamese News Agency.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that 8.2million tonnes of livestock was sold in the Ukraine in the first seven months of this year, up by 0.5% on last year.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that leather industry production in Ukraine in the first eight months of this year was 8% lower than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, overall industrial output in Ukraine in the January to August period was 3.5% higher year-on-year.

Slovenia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Slovenia in the first seven months of this year was 2.9% higher than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, overall industrial output in Slovenia was 2.3% higher year-on-year.

The Slovak Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$63.8 million in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of 1.3%. Slovakia's imports of the same types of commodities were 4.5% higher year-on-year at US$141 million.

Russia's State Statistics Committee reports that Russia produced 850 million square decimetres of chrome-tanned leather products in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year fall of 1% according to the Interfax news agency. In comparison, industrial output in Russia in the January to July period was 4.1% higher year-on-year.

5, 4, 3... the countdown has begun. Only three weeks now until the World Ostrich Congress begins. This is where you can meet the key players in the ostrich industry and contract the sale of your future production. The ostrich industry has never been so bright with huge demand for meat and skins - but you need to meet the people who buy. Come to the World Ostrich Congress and register without delay at https://sslrelay.com/secure.broadwave.co.uk/woc2005/woc2005_contact.php or go to http://www.ostrichresources.com and click on Registration Form.

Statistics New Zealand reports that New Zealand exported raw hides, skins and leather, worth US$319 million in the twelve months to the end of July, a year-on-year fall of 15.6%.

The Seba construction company are to build a new 3.91 million euro plant for the Naturali Oda leather processor in Lithuania, according to the LETA news agency. It is expected that the European Union will provide funding worth 1.80 million euros in the form of structural funds towards the project. The plant, employing 30 people, will be completed in the summer of 2006.

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that Macedonia imported bovine leather worth US$11.2 million in the first seven months of this year.

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first seven months of this year was 19% lower than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, manufacturing industry output in Macedonia in the January to July period was 10.3% higher year-on-year.

Statistics Iceland reports that Iceland exported raw hides and skins worth US$6.63 million in the first half of this year, as compared with US$3.49 million in the same period of 2004. Iceland exported leather and dressed fur skins worth US$2.94 million in the January to June period, as against US$3.53 million in the same period of 2004. Imports of these types of commodities were worth US$1.33 million, as compared with US$1.08 million in the January to June period last year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary exported leather and leather products worth US$69.1 million in the first half of this year, an increase of 29.4% year-on-year. Hungarian imports of the same types of commodities were 2.9% lower year-on-year at US$172 million.

Russian veterinarians confirmed a foot-and-mouth outbreak among 46 cows at the Lermontovskoye livestock farm in the Bikin district of the Khabarovsk territory in late August, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. The virus is thought to be the Asia-1 virus. Quarantine restrictions have been introduced at the farm and in three nearby villages.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in the first seven months of this year was 8.5% lower than in the same period of 2004. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia in the January to July period was 4.8% higher year-on-year.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal Statistics Office reports that leather industry production in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first eight months of this year was 6.3% lower than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, overall industrial output in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the January to August period was 5.8% higher year-on-year.

A large and exclusive exhibition of Indian goods, including leather and leather products, was due to be held in the Belarusian capital of Minsk from August 26-30, according to the Interfax news agency. The aim of the exhibition was to promote Indian products on the Belarusian market and to find potential business partners in Belarus. Indian diplomatic sources in Minsk said that India and Belarus have good potential to establish joint ventures.

With immediate effect, and unless this would be in breach of existing contractual agreements, BASF are raising global prices for ethanolamines, ethylene amines and isopropanolamine. The price hikes come in response to increasing raw material prices for ethylene and ethyleneoxide as well as propylene and propyleneoxide.

Azerbaijan's State Statistics Committee reports that livestock production in Azerbaijan in the first seven months of this year was 3.1% higher than in the same period in 2004, according to the Interfax news agency.

With the blessing of the animal health division of the Department of Agriculture, the South African government lifted its self-imposed ban on ostrich meat exports on September 13 and senior manager: animal health Dr Mike Modisane was already in Brussels making a presentation to the relevant EU authorities. Generally, the industry expects the EU - which, according to the SA Ostrich Business Chamber, previously took 90% of SA's ostrich meat - to lift the ban it imposed in August last year when the avian influenza (AI) epidemic struck. 'The question is just when', said SAOBC general manager Anton Kruger. 'It could take days, weeks, even months.'

A new promotion campaign to beef up the image of Turkish leather has been initiated. The impetus came from the Istanbul Exporters Union (ITKIB) and a new association, the Leather Promotion Group (DTG) inaugurated. This is financed by donations from the many and various leather-related associations around Türkiye. DTG's president is Unit Zaim, CEO of Derimod, a local trading company.

Mebo is a bold and individual new accessories brand for today's conscientious consumer. Launched in 2005, the brand consists of a range of leather bags that is influenced by the beauty and diversity of design from cultures around the world. Mebo bags are beautiful, bold, individual and authentic. They are for people who want to make their mark.

Meriturn Partners have announced that they have completed their reorganisation and the acquisition of Irving Tanning Company. The Hartland, Maine-based side and shoe leather tannery had been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since March 17, 2005.

Due to the approach of Hurricane 'Rita', chemicals company LANXESS have evacuated employees from their sites at Orange and Baytown, Texas. Production has been temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure, with all plants in a safe condition. The company took this action to protect their approximately 300 employees at these sites even before an evacuation was ordered by the authorities. LANXESS's local crisis management team is currently monitoring the situation. All necessary precautions have been taken to safeguard the environment in the event of flooding. It is planned to restart production as soon as the danger has passed.

Visiting Japanese experts have announced the provision of technical assistance to local manufacturers and exporters of leather products to help purge them of environment pollution by the tanneries through the use of ultra-modern techniques under the world environment protection laws. The Japanese experts Dr Suporn Koottatep and Prof Tayjoohwa (from the Asian Productivity Organization, Japan) said there were bright chances of bringing betterment and advancement in Sialkot's leather industry.

The 100th GDS in September 2005 attracted 38,381 buyers from 81 countries to Düsseldorf. Figures, therefore, have remained stable compared with the GDS event in March 2005. This is particularly pleasing in light of the 10% drop in the number of German specialist retailers between 2002 and 2004 that has accompanied similar developments in other European countries such as France, Spain and Italy.

BASF have increased prices for propionic acid and 2-ethylhexanoic acid, effective immediately or as contracts allow. The price increases are due to increasing costs and, therefore, unsatisfactory margins.

Genesis Bioventures Inc, USA, recently entered into an agreement that will give them a controlling interest in Prion Developmental Laboratories (PDL), a private company. PDL, in turn, have a USDA-approved rapid strip test for Chronic Wasting disease which affects deer and elk. Using the same technology, they have also developed a rapid strip test for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).

The new premises of Trumpler Chemicals and Dyes (Jiaxing) Co Ltd, more simply known as TCD, were officially opened in Weitang in Jiaxing province on September 4, two days before the industry gathered in Shanghai for the ACLE. Initially Trumpler served the mainland through Hong Kong, but in 2002 it was decided that the time was right for them to make a major investment in production closer to their customer base.

The Italian Footwear Association announced have announced that Chinese shoe imports to Italy rose by more than 900% during the first five months of 2005. The increase is faster than the 700% surge recorded for all of Europe during the first three months of 2005. Rossano Soldini, president of the Italian Footwear Association, ANCI, said that Italian shoe exports fell 15% by volume during the first quarter, more than twice the decline posted in 2004.

There can be no doubt that this year the All China Leather Exhibition was bigger than last year. It occupied more halls than in 2004 and people were still queuing to get in on the afternoon of the first day. According to the organisers, exhibition space was up 20% over last year, which was itself much bigger than the year before.

Messe Düsseldorf China Ltd and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd have announced the debut of 2006 Shanghai . China Shoes . China Shoetec. The event, aiming at the middle-to-high-end footwear market, is scheduled to be staged at Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai from Oct 23-25, 2006. Stanley Chu, chairman of Adsale, and Anna Li, project director of Messe Düsseldorf gave an analysis on the latest development of worldwide and Chinese footwear industry at a recent press conference in Shanghai. They also presented the progress of the 4th 2006 Dongguan . China Shoes . China Shoetec and the new 2006 Shanghai . China Shoes . China Shoetec. VIP guests including Wang Ying, secretary general of CCCLA Shoe Commission; Liang Meifang, deputy director of Shanghai Commercial Information Center; and Xie Zhen, general manager of Shanghai International Merchandising Center Co Ltd, also attended the press conference. They expressed great interest at the newly defined Shanghai fair.

The managing director of the Florence Shoe Co Ltd, Aqeel Ahmed, was elected as the president of Indian Shoe Federation on August 19, 2005 at the Annual General Body Meeting held at Chennai, India.

Garston Leather Limited, part of the Scottish Leather Group, have informed their workers of the possibility of closure. The workforce of 50 was told at a meeting on September 6 that because of adverse trading conditions, the company could close on October 7 2005.

Tomy Cheng has been appointed as BLC's agent for China. Tomy, who has been working in the leather industry for more than 32 years, is the managing director of Superior Leather Trading Company Limited, a Hong Kong based company established in 1976.

SATRA is celebrating a 25-year association with its transatlantic partner the Footwear Division of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA).

US footwear giant Adidas has signed a US$140 million contract with Indonesian manufacturers. The foreign companies that have secured the deal with Adidas are expected to open up new factories in Indonesia.

The Real Sheepskin Association's Furniture/Furnishing Design Award 2005 was presented at the New Designers event which was held at London's Business Design Centre.

Import figures supplied by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), indicate that there is potential for the creation of a viable leather manufacturing industry in Botswana.

Pakistan's economic coordination committee (ECC) has imposed a 20% duty on the export of hides and skins. Economic advisor Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan said the measure was designed to discourage the export of raw skins and encourage and protect value addition in the leather sector which would increase competitivity on the international market. The ECC also withdrew quarantine charges of Rs100 (US$1.7) per head on the import of live animals to reduce the price of meat in the market.

The second IULTCS Eurocongress will be held in Istanbul from May 24-27, 2006. The congress will be hosted by the Turkish leather technologists' and chemists' society (DETEK). According to DETEK, the aims of the congress are to gain the most effective benefits from the latest innovations in leather technology and to develop mechanisms for finding solutions to the problems currently facing the sector.

The 100th edition of GDS will take place in Dusseldorf from September 18-21. Over 1,500 exhibitors from 50 nations are expected to meet with 38,000 buyers from 80 countries.

DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise have announced price increases for DuPont Zonyl, Forafac, Foraperle fluorotelomer products including intermediates, effective July 1 or as permitted by contracts. List and off shelf prices will increase by approximately 8 to 20%, depending on the specific product grade.

CTC Groupe, France, have formed a global collaboration with US-based BioMechanica, a consulting firm specialising in athletic footwear research and development. 'This agreement brings together two major providers of technical services, both dedicated to the shoe business but with different kinds of expertise', said CTC Groupe CEO Marc Folachier. 'Both companies' clients will benefit from access to leading specialists in the United States and Europe.'

Atlas Refinery, USA, supplier of fatliquors to the leather industry and LANXESS have formed a strategic alliance primarily in the field of leather chemicals with effect from July 2005. LANXESS will distribute Atlas' products to the leather industry and provide technical service. Atlas will be responsible for the manufacturing of fatliquors and the innovation process in this field. The two companies have agreed to jointly develop new products.

Abstract

A new colorimetric system from LANXESS has enabled a unique service to be created for the leather industry, including a look at fashion colours for the next two seasons. The system has enabled the creation of 27 fashion colours for the 2006 summer season. Using formulations developed in this way, customers can plan their colour range and purchase the relevant pigments early on.

Generally, soaking is probably the most under-valued process in leather making. Many of the problems occurring in the final leather are a result of improper soaking. Adjusting the products used in soaking to all conditions influencing the effect and the intensity of the process is often not practiced. Therefore, there is a major need for a modern soaking system providing a good soak without negatively affecting the properties of the finished leather.

Saric are highlighting the following finishing products:

Spanish chemicals company LFT have recently launched a new organo-chrome syntan, Forestan RH1. This greenish powder is anionic, has a pH of 3+/- 0.5 and contains 12% chrome oxide. Forestan RH1 is specially designed to give soft leathers, with a fine and even grain, without affecting the character of the leather. It is recommended for use in the retanning of leathers for shoe uppers, softy for aniline, nubuck, gloving leather, garment, suede splits and in the pretannage of vegetable tanned leathers. It does not affect the dye intensity, and improves evenness. Recommended for application in the pickle or tanning bath, as a 2-3% application, running for 60 minutes before the addition of the tanning agent. When applied as a retannnage, 4-6% of the product is recommended according to desired properties.

Dr Wolfgang Wenzel, currently head of product development and application in the Leather Business Unit at LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, will commence his pre-retirement leave on October 1, 2005. His designated successor is Dr Dietrich Tegtmeyer who began preparing himself for his new responsibilities effective August 1, 2005.

On May 16 Tullio Billeri died after a relatively short period of illness. He was 81 years old. He dedicated the major part of his life to the leather industry and to leather processing machines. His long career in the leather sector began in the 40s when still a young man. He dedicated himself together with his brother to the development of new construction technologies in the factory founded by his father, first for the fabrication of agricultural items, later for tannery drums.

Following the retirement of Roger Birkin last September and Barrie Birkin at the end of June, the management team of Joseph Clayton & Sons in Chesterfield which will be taking the company forward consists of Barry Knight, sales manager (21 years with the company), Matthew Abbott, technical manager, and in-coming general manager John Avery.

Helmut Frank, managing director, has left KELA Ledertechnik GmbH, Kelkheim with immediate effect. Guido Kerber has already taken over the management of the company. KELA will maintain their business strategy with their clients and suppliers.

The Fellmongers society annual dinner was held at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate on July 4. The 40 attendees represented the UK hides and skins and fellmongering sectors. A golf tournament was also held prior to the dinner which was won by Neville Newton of West Yorkshire Fellmongers Ltd.

On June 25 the Italian tanning industry suffered another sad event. Duilio Carlessi, of Italian machinery specialists Fratelli Carlessi and one of the most prominent members of the machine manufacturers community, died just two months before his 80th birthday. Many will remembered him for his industrial achievements which are truly remarkable, but we wish to remember him for his extraordinary qualities as a human being. Duilio Carlessi was a real gentleman in the classic sense of the word. He was always good humoured, always wore a large smile and was always constructive, never complaining. He treated everybody alike, the young, the elderly.

The award ceremony for students who have completed a course of study at the British School of Leather Technology, University College, Northampton, took place as usual at the Leathersellers' Company in London. Prize winners in the Bsc (Hons) Leather Technology (2004-2005) category were first Marc Gummer; second Zafarul Amin; third Salem Kakish.

GST AutoLeather will end production at their plant near Williamsport, USA, by the end of September, retaining only a small fraction of the workforce. According to Unite Here, the union representing the employees, the development ends months of speculation among the plant's 400 manufacturing workers. GST shut down their cutting plant last year and announced in January the retanning operation would close by the end of July. In addition to around 50 administrative jobs, about half of the 400 workers are involved with the plant's retanning department. The rest work in the finishing department.

Elevated cancer rates have allegedly been found in and around a DuPont plant where PFOA is used to create Teflon pans but DuPont are strenuously disputing the recent study that claims exposure to the perfluorooctanoic acid used to manufacture Teflon and other fluoropolymers at one of their chemical plants in West Virginia causes an increased risk of cancer.

Although I think I can fill a whole year of Limeblasts analysing and criticising leather development projects, for the moment this will be the last Limeblast on the Raw Hides & Skins Grading & Pricing Systems, because I don't want to bore you.

TFL have launched a glossary for the leather world offering technical terms in eight languages including English, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin. The glossary is designed to assist those who deal with leather in their day-to-day communication with business partners. TFL believe that good communication skills coupled with a high level of technical expression are keys to success in today's globalised leather industry.

Leather International magazine and the BLC Leather Technology Centre will co-host a major one-day conference aimed at the global footwear and leather industries. Set to take place on March 27, 2006, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the conference will coincide with the APLF (March 28-31). It will feature presentations by leading figures from global footwear brands, international tanners and other technical organisations.

Russia continues to keep pundits guessing over strategy and tactics. After the Yukos affair, in which an oil-company executive was jailed, foreign investors are nervous about bureaucracy. Turkish firms, especially leather producers and tanners, have shared a close and often daring trading mentality with Russians and their satellite republics. News about Russia via Türkiye is often an excellent weather vane.

The Board of Scottish Tanning Industries Ltd has announced that with effect from July 1, 2005, the company will be named Scottish Leather Group Ltd.

In addition to their biennial international meetings, IULTCS also organise meetings and events on a local scale, thereby carrying the developments in the leather world to the international platform. One of these local events, the Second Eurocongress, will take place in Istanbul from May 24-27, 2006, and will be organised by DETEK with Dr Volkan Candar as president. While the leather industry is being relocated on a global scale, Istanbul's unique position as a metropolis between East and West and its history of uniting both worlds adds significance to this congress.

Assomac's AGM held in Vigevano on June 30 was a sombre affair, reflecting the current crisis in the national industry. The meeting gave members an opportunity to discuss the crisis and their problems.

The Russian government recently announced the scrapping of duties on imports of leather processing machinery, according to the Interfax news agency. The Light Industry Department of Russia's Industry Ministry said that the decision will promote a favourable investment climate in Russia's leather industry.

During 2005, many of the stories coming from Türkiye have highlighted how surviving tanners are coping with leaner times, lower margins and global realities. Many tanners who saw garment production as the logical progression to tanning skins subsequently backtracked to concentrate on their core tannery skills.

Conflicting reports have claimed the Costil tannery at Pont Audemer in northern France has closed, along with the Strasbourg plant. Others say Strasbourg is still operating successfully. Pont Audemer has experienced a number of financial problems in recent years and in recent times has been operating under two different owners with Colomer of Spain taking part of the Pont Audemer complex along with the Strasbourg unit. The remainder was purchased by Tanneries Roux. According to Le Cuir, the Colomer/Pont Audemer business has gone into liquidation with a closure date of July 31.

Despite the summer vacations and traditional tannery shutdowns I have managed to fit in two tannery trips in July; one to the newly renamed Scottish Leather Group and the other to the ECCO's leather research and development centre at Dongen in the Netherlands. These are both impressive operations and are thriving against a generally subdued European leather industry background.

As part of a long term commitment to sustainable and efficient production practices, Walfertan Processors (part of the A I Topper Group) have commenced the first stages of an extensive investment programme, designed to seal the future of Walfertan as a leading wet-blue tannery in Australia.

New Wave Leathers Pty Ltd have confirmed that major upgrade programmes for their two Australian wet-blue tanneries at Melbourne and Gunnedah were proceeding faster than planned. The tanneries have been owned by New Wave since earlier this year.

Shafi Reso-Chem Pakistan have participated for the first time in the 7th Tabriz International Leather Fair (LEATHEX 2005) which was held from July 13-16, 2005, in Tabriz, Iran's famous industrial city.

Klein Karoo International and Courthiel Holdings are awaiting a go-ahead from the Competition Board for the proposed sale of Courthiel subsidiary Camexo SA Ltd, which includes the Camdeboo ostrich abattoir and the Exotan tannery, to Klein Karoo. The purchase price - R1 plus the debt - indicates the difficulties Camexo was facing, particularly in the wake of the avian influenza (AI) outbreak in the Eastern Cape last year.

Wet-blue plant Hidskin Processors (Pty) Ltd have increased their capacity by about 30% to 6,500 hides/week, or more than 300,000 hides/year. The extensions, which include three new drums and a new chemical store, were commissioned at the beginning of April.

The sole worldwide suppliers of BMW 1-Series leather car seats, Aunde South Africa, are to spend R60 million (USD 9.3 million) expanding their manufacturing facility to meet growing demand, according to CEO Siegfried Kuhn. He said that the 22,000 m expansion, to be completed in March 2006, will almost double Aunde's existing manufacturing plant.

Speakers already confirmed for the 3rd Upholstery Leather Conference include representatives of some of the largest upholstery tanners and leather furniture manufacturers in the world:

Silvachimica, Italian manufacturers of syntans, fatliquors, and auxiliary products have obtained the ISO 14001 environmental certificate.

On Saturday September 10, 2005, members of the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London and the British Glove Association (BGA) will visit the Museum of Costume in Bath which houses one of Britain's most treasured collections of historic gloves.

Emag supply hides and skins from the raw to crust states sourced in New Zealand and Eastern Europe. The company have relaunched their website [http://www.emag.ch], designed to become an important source of information for their customers worldwide.

Automotive upholstery specialist DK Leather Corp have set up a 60,000sq ft warehouse and installation facility in the Netherlands. Operations began last month and there is sufficient installation capacity to fit leather seats into 60 cars per day.

Micam, the international footwear show has announced a change of venue. Spring-summer 2006 collections will be on display at Micam from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 September. The event will be held at Milan's new fair and conference complex in Rho where eight pavilions will house 1,559 exhibitors. The number of international exhibitors has risen to 439 and total exhibitor numbers are up 11.6% on 2004.

The 'Colours/Material Guide' analyses the major sociological and consumer attitudes and presents ready-to-wear colours and leather highlights for the winter 2006/07 season. The guide features the spirit of the season in which imagination and fantasy are the keynotes.

It took a long time for the leather industry to adopt the chrome tanning process as the standard way of transforming hides and skins into leather. Historically, there was a lot of suspicion and resistance before the whole leather industry moved across to this new form of tanning.

Like the animals it comes from, leather is irregular in shape and does not lie flat. It is essentially a topographical surface whose irregularity tends to increase as the softness becomes greater. In addition, one of the biggest causes of variability in the area of leather is humidity or moisture level.

Elmo ceo, Nalle Johansson is proud of his company's achievements in reducing the environmental impact of emissions to air and water. He told Leather International that the company had been pursuing dynamic environmental policies for many years and the environmental management system has independent certification.

ABSTRACT

Summer time and the living is easy is how the old song goes, but in the hide trade the summer time is quiet with low kills, light cattle and customers all gone on holidays with the result that stocks have increased all round.

Abstract

As usual very little happened in the month of July. The normal holiday slowdown plus the already low level of activity in the world leather trade give the impression this July was even less eventful than in previous years.

During the four weeks under review, slaughter figures dipped due to the July 4 national holiday closure of plants. The weekly average was 615,000.

Steer prices managed to hold on to their previous gains since our last article, but the cow sector was forced to acquiesce to lower bids. Bulls were also a little softer but small packers and low grades were essentially steady.

Furthermore, the senior management team has been reshuffled to increase the overall effectiveness in the key areas of the business: David Packer (son of Lindsay) has been appointed raw material procurement manager, and Steve Hawkins (formerly of Pittards Plc, UK) has taken over the role of operations manager.

Techang Taiwan have been in existence for more than 25 years, initially manufacturing leather for the domestic market. For the past 15 years, however, they have been manufacturing more sophisticated waterproof leathers.

In his report, president Kozo Tokunaga emphasised that ICT was going through a period of change and the council was looking closely at what they achieve and what they want from the organisation. He expressed the hope that progress would be made towards agreeing a continuing role and shape for ICT in the future.

The president stated that the pattern and basis of world trade had changed so much from when ICHSLTA was founded in 1929. China now represents 25% of global GDP growth [measured as purchasing power parity].

Mainstream fashion footwear show Footwear UK held from 7-9 August at the Birmingham NEC was buzzing throughout the three days with attendance figures exceeding last year's August event say organisers DEW Events.

The Hyderabad leather and footwear expo and conference will be held from September 24-26, 2005 at Hotel Viceroy, Tank Bund. This is a change to the original dates and venue. Organisers expect visitors to include thousands of members of the footwear manufacturing and leather processing sectors. The conference's technical session will involve presentations from India's best known scientists and experts from the leather sector.