Applications are being invited to receive a Dorothy Jordan Lloyd Bursary to attend the Society of Leather Technologists & Chemists Annual Conference on September 27, 2008.

2009 marks the Centenary of The British School of Leather Technology and the Alumni team at The University of Northampton is busy working with colleagues to create a development plan that will set the scene for the next century of leather education in the UK.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in May was 7.2% lower than in the same month in 2007. The turnover of leather industry companies in Ireland in May was 6.4% lower year-on-year.

Latvia's Central Statistical Bureau reports that Latvia exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$14.6 million in the first five months of this year, of which 85.5% were exported to the European Union.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$53.4 million in the first five months of this year, compared with US$46.9 million in the same period in 2007.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in the first five months of this year was 1.8% lower than in the same period last year.

Statistics Georgia reports that Georgia imported leather products worth US$3.98 million in the first five months of this year. Imports of raw hides and skins were worth US$325,000.

Slovakia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Slovakia in the first five months of this year was 21.3% lower than in the same period in 2007.

Poland's Central Statistical Office reports that the average price of leather and leather products sold by manufacturers in Poland in the first four months of this year was 3.3% lower than in the same period in 2007.

Statistics South Africa reports that the production of leather and leather products in South Africa in the first five months of this year was 11.2% higher than in the same period in 2007. In comparison, manufacturing sector output in South Africa in the January to May period was 2.9% higher year-on-year.

From Caribbean blue to slate black, BASF are offering inspiration to the leather industry in Europe for the autumn/winter season 2009/2010 with twelve stylish types of leathers and 32 fashion colours. The focus is on white and coloured pull-up effects.

Rohm and Haas Company have entered into an agreement with The Dow Chemical Company under which Dow will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Rohm and Haas common stock for $78 per share in cash.

Williamsons tannery in Canterbury, UK, closed their doors for the final time in March, 2001.  With ever more stringent laws the tannery finally succumbed to pressure from the locals to move away from a site they had occupied for 250 years.

A lady in Perth, Western Australia, possesses an antique blanket made of skins which she believes to be more than 120 years old. She would like to find out more about the blanket and wonders if there are any specialists in her region of the world who might be able to advise.

The European Commission has decided to abolish the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) on EU imports of Vietnamese-made leather shoes, according to the Vietnamese News Agency.

Romania's National Statistics Institute reports that Romania produced 333,000 tons of cattle for slaughter in 2007, compared with 318,000 tons in 2006.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that Serbia exported leather and leather products worth E71.0 million in the first five months of this year, compared with E62.1 million in the same period in 2007. Serbian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to May period this year were worth E121 million, as against E100 million in the corresponding period in 2007.

The Statistical Office of the Bosnian Serb Republic reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Republic in the first five months of this year was 3.3% lower than in the same period in 2007.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$135 million in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 16.4%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to April period were 52.4% higher year-on-year at US$73 million.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that there were 6.09 million head of cattle on farms in Ukraine on June 1 this year, 10.7% fewer than on the same date in 2007.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in the first five months of this year was 16.8% higher than in the same period in 2007. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia was 3.6% higher year-on-year.

Israel's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Israel imported leather and leather products worth US$55.2 million in the first five months of this year, compared with US$45.6 million in the same period in 2007.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary imported leather and leather products worth E92.4 million in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year decrease of 2%.

A 10% drop in cattle slaughter year-on-year in the first quarter of 2008 suggests that Brazil will slaughter fewer cattle this year compared with 2007.

For the fourth time since its first edition in 1996 the Freiberg Collagen Symposium will take place from September 11-12, 2008, in Germany where experts and scientists of the European leather and collagen branch will present the latest results from collagen research and industrial application of the material collagen. This promises to be an interesting and diversified conference programme.

The meeting of Assomac, the national association of Italian manufacturers of footwear, leathergoods and tannery machines, brought to a close the series of meetings focussing on this field.

The meeting was held in Vigevano on Friday 27 June at the association's headquarters. In his speech, the Chairman, Giulio Tandura, described 2007 as "a relatively quiet year. The inevitable fall in exports was contained, resulting in a figure of -1.49%" but there is still serious concern about the trend of activities in the first half of  2008.

My client is a well-established, prestigious British Manufacturer of luxury leather goods, with an established corporate client base.  They are looking for a dynamic and confident sales executive to join their team to help develop the business through acquiring new business leads and developing relationships with their existing client database.

Freedom Recruitment specialises in sourcing the very best candidates for the Fashion Industry. The Temporary division manage all Temporary and Contract Wholesale and Showroom positions.

Our Client is a leading sportswear brand looking for an expert in extreme sports performance and Outdoor Footwear Design.

The successful candidate will conceptualise and design the key footwear ranges for the brand outdoor category, maintain design consistency throughout the product line from the direction outlined by Design Director, provide guidance in design to Junior Designers or Temps and help to create the overall category design direction.

Our client is a leading sportswear brand who is looking for an experienced Footwear Designer to design market right footwear ranges and products for the brand as part of an international design team in cooperation with marketing and development.

As a major high street presence our client is one of the leading department stores in the UK.

A design led menswear brand is looking for a problem solving garment technician to over see the fit and technical requirements for all denim and leather products.

Our client, a leading international footwear sports brand is looking for an experienced Costing Manager to join their expanding team.

Our client, a leading international footwear sports brand is looking for an experienced Technical Manager to join their expanding team.

Our client, a leading international footwear sports brand is looking for an experienced product developer to join their expanding team.

DyStar's new web-based customer centre for the leather and fur
industry goes online on July 1, 2008. The ‘World of Leather' at www.DyStarLeather.com contains interesting and practical information as well as a new and user-friendly e- business section.