Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that leather industry production in Turkey in the first eleven months of 2006 was 15.1% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, manufacturing output in Turkey in the January to November 2006 period was 6.1% higher year-on-year.

The British School of Leather Technology at The University of Northampton offers a wide range of research, consultancy, training and education courses in all aspects of leather processing.

ASTM International, one of the largest voluntary standards development organisations in the world, have launched a campaign to alert students to the importance of standards and are marking 2007 as the Year of the Student. As part of this initiative, ASTM will embark on a series of academic efforts aimed at building greater awareness and involvement in standardization among students and educators worldwide.

The Vietnam Leather Footwear Association (Lefaso) says that Vietnamese leather footwear exports to the United States are likely to increase following the country's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), according to the Vietnamese News Agency. Vietnam exported leather shoes worth US$600 million to the United States in 2005, a year-on-year increase of 25%. Vietnamese leather shoe uppers exports worth US$30 million to the US in the first eleven months of 2006 were more than 300% higher than in the same period in 2005.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$230 million in the first ten months of 2006, a year-on-year increase of 35.7%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to October 2006 period were 19% higher year-on-year at US$108 million.

Turkiye's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkiye imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$461 million in the first ten months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 15.8%. Turkish exports of the same types of commodities in the January to October period were 17.6% higher year-on-year at US$84 million.

Statistics South Africa reports that the production of leather and leather products in South Africa in the first ten months of 2006 was 1.8% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, manufacturing production in South Africa was 4.7% higher year-on-year.

Slovenia's Statistics Office reports that 12,473 head of cattle of a total weight of 3,429 tonnes were killed in slaughterhouses in Slovenia in October. These figures were respectively 11.7% and 14.9% higher than in the same month in 2005.

Slovakia's Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$130 million in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 13.3%. Slovakian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to September period were 2% lower year-on-year at US$247 million.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Serbia in the first eleven months of 2006 was 2.3% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, the annual increase in industrial output in Serbia in the January to November 2006 period was 4.6%.

Russia's State Statistics Committee reports that an average of 42,600 people were employed in Russia's leather industry in September 2006, including 41,900 full-time employees. The total number of employees was 2.2% lower than in September 2005.

Rock Chemie Co are one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of leather chemicals in Iran and also have the honour of being presented the exemplar exporter award for the years 2002 and 2006. As we know, the leather chemical prices of many big companies has increased worldwide but Rock Chemie have stabilised their prices. They say the reason for this is that they want their customers to be stress free when purchasing chemicals and to open their doors to many other buyers who are looking for quality chemicals with cheap price.

The Philippines National Statistics Office reports that the Philippines' leather industry was operating at 82.8% of its total production capacity in September, compared with 83.5% in the same month in 2005. In comparison, the Philippines' manufacturing sector was operating at 80.2% capacity in September 2006.

Macedonia's State Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first eleven months of 2006 was 6.9% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, manufacturing industry output in Macedonia in the January to November period was 3.2% higher year-on-year.

Ireland's Central Statistical office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in October was 20.7% lower than in October last year. The combined turnover of leather industry companies in Ireland in October was 1.8% higher year-on-year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary imported leather and leather products worth US$236 million in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 0.4%. This rose to US$267 million at the ten-month stage.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in the first ten months of this year was 8.7% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in the Czech Republic in the January to October period was 10.7% higher year-on-year.

Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in the first eleven months of 2006 was 31.3% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia in the January to November period was 4.7% higher year-on-year

The Nepszabadsag daily in Budapest reports that Hungary's Environment Minister, Miklos Persanyi, has summoned the Austrian Ambassador to Hungary in order to discuss discharges from the Boxmark leather factory adjacent to the Raba river in Austria, according to the Interfax news agency. The report said that water flowing into Hungary from Austria is polluted with chemicals used by the factory. Persanyi said that if the Hungarian authorities do not see a considerable improvement in the Raba's water quality by May 2007, action will be taken by the Hungarian government concerning the use of the river's waters by Boxmark.

Bayer MaterialScience have established their Global Footwear Competence Center (GFCC) in Shanghai, China, where it will spearhead the development of advanced materials and provide technical support to the global footwear industry.

'Hot news' currently is that the forthcoming Leather In Retail conference has signed up Burberry, Adidas, Nike, Timberland, Deloitte and many others to speak. Following the successful footwear leather conference held in March 2006, BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd and Leather International magazine will co-host another conference at the 2007 Asia Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong.

Vietnam's General Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Vietnam in the first eleven months of 2006 was 18.4% higher than in the same period the previous year, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. In comparison, industrial output in Vietnam in the January to November period was 16.9% higher year-on-year.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$196 million in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 30.3%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to September period were 16.9% higher year-on-year at US$95 million.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that the Turkish leather industry was operating at 58.3% of its overall production capacity in October, compared with 65.3% in the same month last year. In comparison, Turkey's manufacturing industry was operating at 71.7% capacity in October, the same figure as in October 2005.

Slovakia's Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$107 million in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 16%. Slovakian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to August period were 1% lower year-on-year at US$206 million.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Serbia in the first ten months of this year was 2.1% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, the annual increase in industrial output in Serbia in the January to October period was 4.9%.

Russia's Federal Statistics Office reports that Russia produced 1.6 billion square decimetres of chrome-tanned leather products in the first ten months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 34%, according to the Interfax news agency.

Statistics Norway reports that Norwegian farms had an average of 918,637 cattle in 2006, compared with 932,583 in 2005, 940,436 in 2004 and 953,393 in 2003.

Mongolia's National Statistics Office reports that Mongolian exports of hides and skins in the first ten months of 2006 were US$9.8 million higher than in the same period the previous year.

Macedonia's State Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first ten months of 2006 was 9.6% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, manufacturing industry output in Macedonia in the January to October period was 2.9% per cent higher year-on-year.

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Israel exported leather and leather products worth US$15.5 million in the first ten months of this year, compared with US$14 million in the corresponding period in 2005. Israel imported the same types of commodities worth US$84 million in the January to October period, as against US$79.5 million in the same period last year.

Ireland's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in September was 37.4% lower than in September last year. The combined turnover of leather industry companies in Ireland in September was 2.9% higher year-on-year.

Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Croatia's leather and leather products manufacturing industry used raw materials in its production worth US$63.1 million in 2005. 'Own-produced raw materials' by leather industry companies were valued at US$161,621, with raw materials worth US$63 million purchased from suppliers.

The Chinese government has made some policy changes on importing/exporting trade of raw hides and tax rebate of some items of finished leathers. As those policies are very complex, for easy understanding, the CLIA have summarised them and translated them into English:

The American Importers' Association (AIA) says that leathergoods are among the Vietnamese commodities with the greatest potential to increase their export to the US this year and in 2007, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. The AIA's director general, Philip W Byrd, met with nearly 200 Vietnamese exporters in Ho Chi Minh City on November 13 to discuss how to sell their goods in the US. A recent survey of 1,000 American importers revealed that 79% of them would be willing to purchase Vietnamese goods.

Vietnam's General Statistics Office reports that Vietnam exported footwear worth US$3.2 billion in the first eleven months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 19.3%, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. The Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso) said that the reason for the large year-on-year increase in exports was due to increased exports to the United States of around 40%. Lefaso said that the eleven-month export figure was higher than expected, and was achieved in spite of the European Union imposing anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese footwear.

During the last COTANCE council meeting held in Lausanne (Switzerland) in November under the presidency of Jean-Claude Ricomard (Tanneries Roux, France), the representatives of the leather industry from France (FFTM), Finland (FLIA), Germany (VDL), Italy (UNIC), the Netherlands (FNL), Spain (CEC-FECUR), Sweden (SG), Switzerland (VSG) and the United Kingdom (UKLF) expressed concern with regard to the trends witnessed in raw material prices.

While no doubt many visitors and exhibitors to Meet in Africa in Egypt last month may have conflicting opinions, one visitor told Leather International that: 'It appears to me that it was a good fair. I anticipated total chaos, whereas I found in reality a well attended fair both by visitors and exhibitors.'

The European Parliament recently adopted a proposal for a directive which will severely restrict the marketing and use of perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) in the European Union. According to Dr Dietrich Tegtmeyer, head of product development & application in the Leather business unit, LANXESS's products for the leather industry will not be affected: 'We can continue to supply our customers with all our products. Our leather chemicals, including the auxiliaries that contain fluorocarbons, are already PFOS-free, so there will be no need for our customers to spend valuable time and money modifying their recipes when the new directive comes into force.'

As a result of the continuously increasing raw material, transport and energy costs, the Leather business unit of LANXESS is increasing its prices worldwide with immediate effect. As these factors vary from region to region, the prices will be addressed individually.

BLC have launched their new on-line electronic testing management system. This means that customers will now receive automatic email communications at different stages of the testing process. The software will provide an integrated sales, testing and accounts system linked to their customer contact database.

Although Stahl India are less than six years old, a two year project has placed the company among world leaders through gaining MRP2 Class A certification. The rapid growth experienced over this time encouraged the company to look at MRP2 certification as a way of bringing con-trol and order to the company's organisation. In achieving this, Stahl India have joined a number of other Stahl companies across the world who have similar certification.

Italian chemicals manufacturers Corichem srl have been awarded UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification for their Quality Management System. The certificate covers all Corichem activities: Research and development, production and trading of chemicals and related technical assistance.

The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) adopted a law in mid-November which reduces export duties on Ukrainian livestock and leather products, according to the Interfax news agency. The law sets the export duties for livestock and leather products at 50% and 30% respectively. Following Ukraine's accession to membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the country will reduce export duties on these commodities by 5% a year to rates of between 10-20% according to commodity type.

Russia's Economic Development and Trade Ministry says that the bilateral agreement signed with the United States in mid-November concerning Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will see Russia reducing or scrapping import duties on leather, according to the Interfax news agency. The measure would be designed to support the domestic footwear industry, said the Ministry.

increase in the number of exhibitors at next February edition of the show which is due to be held from February 20-23, 2007, at Paris Nord Villepinte. Up to now, 16 new companies (including six Italians and three Brazilians, members of ASSINTECAL: Brazilian Association of Shoe Components) have confirmed their participation.

South African ostrich slaughter will fall to 200,000 birds in 2007 - from about 250,000 this year - and will decline further in 2008, in the view of Saag Jonker Group CEO Saag Jonker, the country's biggest ostrich farmer. 'The ostrich farming industry is shrinking', he said. 'Some of the best farmers, like Pieter Coetzee, Casper Wolff and Johan Senekal, have left the industry over the past two or three years and we are also seriously reconsidering our position. I'm emotionally wedded to ostrich farming but my sons look at it from a business point of view and they're questioning whether it's worth continuing.'

The European Union informed South Africa that it accepts the country's status as free from Highly Pathogenic Notifiable Avian Influenza (HPNAI). The export of fresh ostrich meat could therefore resume from November 1, 2006, according to the new ostrich protocol. This protocol allows for compartmentalisation of the ostrich industry and involves testing within 28 days prior to slaughter, with negative results.

ASTM International have announced the new, digital version of their entire library of technical information in digitized format. This new information repository enables users to access nearly all of the ASTM literature spanning more than 140 technical committees and more than 100 years.

IULTCS and ISO have announced a memorandum of understanding towards a new working relationship. The document between the two organisations was signed in December 2005, establishing a mechanism by which ISO and IULTCS can publish joint standards. The IULTCS commissions are in the process of compiling the database of methods to be sold as a CD-ROM. This will include all IULTCS methods.

Global brands Nike and Timberland have confirmed their participation in the Leather In Retail Conference which is to take place at the HKCEC on March 27, 2007 (day before APLF). Discussions with a number of other world-renowned brands are also taking place and details will be released in the coming weeks. Topics will include fraud and counterfeiting, restricted substances in leather, business opportunities in China and India and a number of others.

Summary

Some newly finished leathers seem to be more sensitive to chemical aggressions (such as perspiration) than 'older aged' leathers which can cause worn out areas due to rubbing or mild abrasion. The French footwear and leather research and testing organisation, CTC, have observed such damage on a number of upholstered leather sofas and other leathergoods.

Introduction

Introduction

Most observers of Zimbabwean leather and footwear industries from outside have an almost incredulous respect for companies which operate in seemingly impossible conditions, and the circumstances have never been more difficult than today. However, despite the difficulties and the dire forecasts, only a handful of companies have actually closed.

We are currently in the middle of the busiest time of the year and at the time of writing, the Bologna Fair is fast approaching. Everyone is very active in their warehouses and, according to all reports, hides are moving as soon as they are ready.

Figures for the four-week period ended October 12 showed an average weekly kill of 634,500 which is down from the 654,550 of our last report. These figures are now running at 3.7% above the same time last year. Average weekly kill in the same four weeks last year was 615,750.

Botswana

The first day of the FAO Hides and Skins Sub-Group in Tanzania comprised an informal consultation on the current situation on hides and skins. The formal session of the Hide and Skin Sub-Group was opened on day two by Mr Charles Mlingwa, Deputy Minister of Livestock Development, United Republic of Tanzania, and was chaired by Ms Anunciata Njombe. This was followed on day three by visits to the local municipal abattoir and two tanneries: Himo, a bovine tannery and Moshi, a goat skin tannery.

The general feeling is that on the finished leather side, there are hardly any price increases to obtain. Retailers believe consumers will not pay more for leather manufactured goods while abattoirs are standing firm on price. With the three major players refusing to lower prices, the hide and skin trade is beginning to suffer. Not much is happening; if nothing happens nobody makes money.

After all the theories, hopes and disappointments, prices on the most voluminous hide selections were generally unchanged since our last report. This was regardless of a significant drop in buyer interest in the post Shanghai period that continued well into October. The chief reason was holidays in Asia. Then confusion, rumours and misinformation over details of the VAT/customs tax increases further impeded a normal flow of Chinese buying.

Dr Axel C Heitmann, chairman, said that since the spin-off from Bayer in November 2004, LANXESS 'have proven that we can re-energise chemistry by turning what was considered an old-school smokestack industry into a dynamic and profitable new venture. Now it is time to aim for a new destination, not just the stabilisation of a turnaround story, but sustained growth… proactively pursuing increased profitability through acceleration and acquisitions.'

A number of awards were presented at The Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists annual conference which was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport, UK on September 23. Following his two-year term, Ken Nokes stood down as SLTC president and John Avery was inaugurated. Roy Thompson, Raymond Blakey, E Malcolm Pickles were all awarded Life Membership. Martin Richard Elliott was awarded the professional grade of Fellow and Bob Johnson became an honorary life member following his continued work for the society. Professional grades of Associate were awarded to Richard Lector Magombo, Andrew David Luke, Matthew Nicholls, Arthur Steven Onyuka and Simon Philips. Former president Richard J Roy also received a certificate and Professor Mike Redwood was presented with a certificate for giving the Wolstenholme Memorial Lecture during the conference.

Martin Swayne, former markets editor of Leather International, died at his home in the English countryside, on September 11, 2006, just two months before his 65th birthday. Before joining Leather in 1978, Martin had worked for many years for leather merchants Bevingtons & Sons, during which time he visited India on many occasions.

S M Naseem, chief executive of MIMA Leather, Karachi, has been elected chairman of the Pakistan Tanners' Association for the fifth time while Sh Sadiq Saeed Masood of Khas Industries, Karachi, and Khawaja M Ilyas of Khawaja Tanneries, Multan, were elected vice chairmen of the central executive committee for 2006-07.

BLC have announced that Lindsay Sultana has joined the sales team as Leathermark co-ordinator. Lindsay will be responsible for managing the Leathermark registration scheme and ensuring that companies across the leather supply chain are aware of what this certified trademark represents, as well as the need to have products verified to ensure that they comply with the Leathermark.

LaCrosse Footwear Inc have been awarded a $1.25 million contract for the production of the Phoenix Bunker Boot for the Chicago Fire Department. The boot, which is certified by The National Fire Protection Association, is manufactured in the footwear company's ISO-9001 certified manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon.

Gemata launched their Spraystar 3800 spraying machine in 2005, which was successfully installed in two tanneries which are world leaders in the finishing of full upholstery and automotive leathers. Now Gemata have launched a further innovation called Jumbostar SR 3800.

Italian machinery manufacturers Poletto have upgraded their Millennium 8.5-12.5 milling drum. The Millennium PT 12.5 Automatic has been designed for softening and conditioning hides and skins. The drum incorporates a computerised system to programme the work cycles and control the temperature, humidity and chemicals. Different versions of the drum are available, all equipped with an automatic hide unloading system.

The Value Engineering Alliance, providers of machine vision solutions, have launched HueView, innovative inspection technology specifically developed to deliver comprehensive colour analysis of multicoloured, patterned and textured items.

Although I firmly believe in globalisation and modernisation, until a short while ago I have always considered tannery automation something for the big industry in highly industrialised countries, for top quality products. I thought that automation was an expensive, sophisticated and difficult to use toy, impossible to run and maintain in developing countries. Looking a little bit further, I must admit that this position is rather short-sighted, and I have changed my opinion.

Germany's Federal Statistics Office reports that 809,000 head of cattle (excluding calves) were commercially slaughtered in Germany in the third quarter of this year, a decrease of 2.7%, or 22,200 head, as compared with the same quarter in 2005.

Spanish airline Iberia have updated the interior design of their aircraft, and Spanish leather is to be a fundamental part of the new look. The restyle will be applied to the new fleet of Airbus 320s which will fly the company's short and medium haul routes. The leather will be sourced from local companies and will be processed as part of an INESCOP research centre project.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway exported raw hides and skins worth US$60.4 million in the first ten months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 12.3%.

December 16 is the official opening day for Fenice's new modern manufacturing and storage facility in the small town of Valdagno, Italy. Having established the leather and footwear finishing chemicals business over 30 years ago, Fenice company founder and president, Dr Giuseppe Pisi, gave up his summer holidays this year to oversee the new factory.

Italian tanning machinery manufacturers, Feltre, have expanded their plant located in Chiampo next to the tanning district of Arzignano. The existing plant has been increased by 30% to provide a floor space of 2,100m2. An additional 800m2 has also been acquired across the road from the main site for additional storage space.

Edition 35 of Italian magazine La Conceria, published on November 1, concludes that the leather industry trade fair is on the wane. The headline reads: 'The multinationals: no more trade fairs!'

Following an audit by TUV Thüringen, the Zao Russkaya Kozha tannery have recently been awarded the quality management certification ISO 9001:2000.

The Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists annual conference was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport, UK, on September 23. The conference programme consisted of an interesting mixture of presentations of both a technical and practical nature. An informative presentation was given by Mauro Magnaguagno of TFL Italia and Giampietro Portinari, Gemata. The topic was an innovative new system for upgrading leathers which featured new chemical and physical methods.

Leather fashion colours and trends for the Autumn/Winter 2008 season were in evidence at the latest edition of Lineapelle which took place at the Bologna Fiera from October 17-19. Visitor numbers were lower than usual on the opening day although the second day was busy with most stands receiving visitors. Despite the quieter feeling in the halls, the level of professionalism among visitors remained high.

On October 26, a live auction was held at the Euro Hotel, Nuoro, Sardinia, to sell off the plant and leather processing machinery of Falliment Master Sarda of Bolotana, Zona Industriale (Nuoro). This was by order of the Bankruptcy Tribunal of Oristano.

On the opening day of the latest edition of Le Cuir A Paris, the French 'Conseil National du Cuir' launched a three-year television ad campaign. The two films, each of 30 seconds' duration, express the different 'personalities' of leather such as garment, footwear, leathergoods, upholstery and safety. The campaign was conceived to promote the value of French leather and its auxiliary industries.

Normally at this time of year, we would just have arrived back from Tanning Tech in Bologna, Italy. News from the recent edition of Lineapelle suggests that visitor numbers were well down from last October. One visitor writes: 'If you were there, you'd have seen a Tuesday morning with empty halls. Wednesday saw a reasonable amount of visitors but far below last year's figures. Nevertheless this is still a hugely important fair.'

New automotive topcoat

Ecology has become an important aspect of our lives and the demand for ecological products has increased considerably.

TFL's agent Swiss Speciality Chemicals have opened a new technical service centre in the busy suburb of Korangi, in the heart of Karachi. The newly-built location covers 400 square meters and consists of a laboratory which includes a chemical sample facility, offices, boardrooms and fashion displays. The laboratory comprises state-of-the-art equipment and will allow tanners to take advantage of services such as colour matching, fashion development and other tailor-made processes.

Rohm and Haas celebrated the official opening of the China Research and Development Center (CRDC) in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, on September 20.

The Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PLGMEA) has criticised the decision of the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to reduce duty drawback rates on exports of leather garments to 3.22%. PLGMEA chairman Ahmed Zulfiqar Hayat said the decision had been made without consulting or sharing information with PLGMEA and the agreed parameters of duty drawback calculations and appropriate input recipes had been ignored. If these had been taken into consideration, Hayat added, the duty drawback rate would not have been reduced significantly. The rate is set to be reduced from 5.17%.

Vietnamese footwear exports to Australia have increased rapidly over the past three months according to the Ministry of Trade.

Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Kyrgyzstan in the first half of this year was a substantial 260% higher than in the same period in 2005, according to the Interfax news agency. Production in the leather footwear sector increased by '44 times' year-on-year, while production of leather made from sheep or goat skins increased by 8.1%.

CTC Asia have announced the extension of their laboratory in Hong Kong. The surface area has been increased five-fold and new testing machinery has been added, such as sole abrasimeters, sole flexometers and tensile machines. The laboratory in Hong Kong is a subsidiary of CTC, a leading global resource providing quality assurance solutions for the footwear and leathergoods industries. This makes the facility one of the best equipped laboratories in the region with the fastest turnaround times.

Branaa SA (Pty) Ltd were due to start finishing from crust during October. The company, which opened in 1997, have until now been a cutting operation only, importing finished leather from their parent company in Uruguay. General manager Romualdo Varela said the company had 'confidence in South Africa' and had also been 'encouraged by OEMs to extend their local operations and local content, which benefits OEMs in terms of the Motor Industries Development Programme (MIDP). Branaa's customers in South Africa are BMW, Audi, Ford/Mazda and Nissan.

Global Shoes & Accessories will be held for the first time from 9th - 11th March 2007 in parallel with the GDS and GLS international event for shoes, leathergoods and more.

On the opening day of the latest edition of Le Cuir A Paris, the French 'Conseil National du Cuir' launched a three-year television ad campaign. The two films, each of 30 seconds' duration, express the different 'personalities' of leather such as garment, footwear, leathergoods, upholstery and safety. The campaign was conceived to promote the value of French leather and its auxiliary industries.

In the August/September edition of Leather International, I wrote an article on an incident that occurred involving a client of Church's, the Northamptonshire shoemaker. From the reactions that were received from Church the article clearly upset the company, for which I am sorry as I had no other intention than to report an incident, and certainly not to create a negative image of Church and/or their products.

Global brands Nike and Timberland have confirmed their participation in the Leather In Retail Conference which is to take place at the HKCEC on March 27, 2007 (day before APLF). Discussions with a number of other world-renowned brands are also taking place and details will be released in the coming weeks. Topics will include fraud and counterfeiting, restricted substances in leather, business opportunities in China and India and a number of others.

The Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists annual conference was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport, UK, on September 23. The conference

Introduction

Although I firmly believe in globalisation and modernisation, until a short while ago I have always considered tannery automation something for the big industry in highly industrialised countries, for top quality products. I thought that automation was an expensive, sophisticated and difficult to use toy, impossible to run and maintain in developing countries. Looking a little bit further, I must admit that this position is rather short-sighted, and I have changed my opinion.

Normally at this time of year, we would just have arrived back from Tanning Tech in Bologna, Italy. News from the recent edition of Lineapelle suggests that visitor numbers were well down from last October. One visitor writes: 'If you were there, you'd have seen a Tuesday morning with empty halls. Wednesday saw a reasonable amount of visitors but far below last year's figures. Nevertheless this is still a hugely important fair.'

The United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the United States exported raw hides and skins worth US$3.21 million to Russia in the first eight months of this year. Exports in the same period in 2005 were worth US$2.73 million. US imports of the same types of commodities from Russia in the January to August period this year were negligible.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that there were 7.03 million head of livestock on farms in Ukraine on October 1 this year, a fall of 1.5% compared with the number on the same date in 2005. The Vinnytsya oblast (region), with 474,000 head, had the most livestock of any oblast in Ukraine on October 1.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that leather industry production in Turkey in the first nine months of this year was 19% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, manufacturing output in Turkey in the January to September period was 5.9% higher year-on-year.

TFL and Tannin Corporation have reached a collaborative agreement to partner in marketing distribution, logistics and manufacturing. TFL will incorporate Tannin's warehouses and logistics centres into its distribution network in the US and Canada and Tannin will provide technical and sales service to a selected market segment for both TFL and Tannin's wet end products.

Slovakia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Slovakia in the first nine months of this year was 1.9% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, overall manufacturing output in Slovakia in the January to September period was 11.9% higher year-on-year.

After the sparkling premiere of the premium high fashion shoes and accessories segment 'white cubes' at the 102nd GDS last September, GDS 2007 will now be kicking off with three more new segments. With its sections 'prime square', 'concept 10' and 'kidwalk', GDS is set to further sharpen its profile as an international information and orders platform. The three segments will make it easier for trade buyers from throughout the world to find their way around the exhibition centre and it will offer exhibitors the chance to really make a 'splash' on the market.

A new active ingredient combination for aircraft and automotive construction has been developed. Trumpler GmbH & Co KG of Worms, Germany, have developed a fatliquoring agent known as Truposol FRF to provide leather for use in aircraft and cars with a flame-retardant finish. What's more, the new product is halogen-free and low-fogging.

For the first time, a joint venture is being set up by three companies for the production of about 100,000 pairs of shoes for Pakistan. The shoes will be produced at the factory of K Shoes, Lahore, ad the partners involved are Gulf Footwear Company of Dubai; Caser Everg GmbH; and K Shoes, Lahore. The project involves an investment of Rs50 million.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in the first nine months of this year was 8.2% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in the Czech Republic in the January to September period was 10.5% higher year-on-year.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$165 million in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 29.7%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to August period were 16.7% higher year-on-year at US$85 million.

The BLC have sent out the following notice:

Slovenia's Statistics Office reports that the total value of purchases of hides and skins in Slovenia in August was 10.9% higher than in July. Livestock purchases were 11.1% higher month-on-month in value terms.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that Ireland exported raw hides and skins worth EUR55.3 million in the first seven months of this year, compared with EUR38.9 million in the same period in 2005. Imports of the same types of commodities in the January to July period were worth EUR2.4 million, as against EUR1.4 million in the corresponding period last year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first eight months of this year was 52% higher than in the same period in 2005. Overall sales of the same types of commodities in the January to August period were 51% higher year-on-year, with an increase in sales of 11.7% on the domestic Hungarian market and 62% higher sales on export markets.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the number of cattle on farms in the Czech Republic on June 30 this year was 1.4 million head, an increase of 2.7% compared with the number on the same date in 2005.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first nine months of this year was 7.6% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, the annual increase in industrial output in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the January to September period was 6.6%.

The recent Fashion Access, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, October 4-6, attracted quality buyers worldwide and exhibitors were reported as being satisfied with great business opportunities. The exhibition welcomed a total of 6,495 buyers from 68 countries and regions. Most came from the Asia Pacific region, accounting for 29.6% of the total buyers (figures excluding Hong Kong). Europe and North America continued to supply the second and third most buyers respectively. There was significant growth in the number of buyers from Spain (38.5%), India (37.5%), Japan (6.5%), and the Philippines (14.8%). There were over 100 buyers from South America.

Rompaleather were founded 100 years ago on December 20, 1906. Rompaleather began life as a veg leather tannery and expanded after the WWII to provide upper leather to the Dutch footwear industry. At that time export levels were very low and the growth of the footwear industry in the southern part of Holland could consume the whole of the tannery's production.

Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Kyrgyzstan increased by a substantial 274% in the first nine months of this year compared with the same period in 2005. Production during the period included 3.96 million square decimetres of chrome-tanned leather products and 806,000 square decimetres of 'stiff leather products'.

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Israel exported leather and leather products worth US$14.1 million in the first nine months of this year, compared with US$12.7 million in the corresponding period in 2005. Israel imported the same types of commodities worth US$75.5 million in the January to September period, as against US$73 million in the same period last year.

The Povijola leather producer in Telsiai in Lithuania says it is trying to withstand competition from leather products made in China by offering high quality products, according to Baltic Business News. However, the company is calling on the European Union to take protective measures to help leather producers.

In order to protect the national leather and footwear industry, the Jordanian government has begun a legal process that could lead to temporary safeguard duties being imposed on imports of most footwear. The World Trade Organisation says Jordan has launched a formal investigation into what the Jordan Footwear and Leather Industries Association calls an 'increase of imports which has caused serious injury to the domestic industry producing similar products'. Preliminary inquiries by Jordan's National Production Protection Directorate concluded there was 'an unexpected, significant increase [in imports] during…2001 to 2005.' Should Jordan impose safeguard duties, only ski boots, cross-country ski footwear and snowboard boots would be exempt.

The 'Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata al Vegetale' consortium brought their marketing campaign to London recently. The event, held at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, comprised a press conference and colour trends sessions for London-based designers. The aim of the event was to highlight the flexibility of the association's 27 member tanneries and their ability to adapt production to the seasonal whims of the fashion industry.

The Philippines National Statistics Office reports that the Philippines' leather industry was operating at 83.1% of its total capacity in August, compared with 83.5% in July and 83.8% in August 2005. In comparison, the manufacturing sector as a whole was operating at 80.3% capacity in August this year. The production of leather products in the Philippines in August was 21.9% lower than in July and 31.4 per cent lower than in August 2005.

Sixteen Brazilian footwear producers participated in the recent edition of Modacalzado in Madrid. The companies presented their latest footwear ideas for the Spring-Summer 2007 season as part of the Brazilian Footwear export programme. The initiative was organised by Abicalçados (Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries), with the support of Apex Brasil, the government export promotion agency, with the aim of consolidating the position of Brazilian footwear in the Spanish market.

The US-based Timberland Company is working with Satra to establish a comprehensive testing regime throughout its worldwide footwear supply chain.

Satra are making major investments in additional test equipment to cope with increasing demand from retailers and manufacturers seeking fast and accurate results in assessment of footwear moisture disposal properties.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that leather industry production in Turkey in August was 21.1% higher than in July and 36.8% higher than in August 2005. In comparison, manufacturing output in Turkey in August was 3% lower month-on-month and 4% higher year-on-year.