On August 7 the container ship MSC Chitra and bulk carrier Khalija III collided just off Mumbai, India. Heavily damaged Khalija III made it to port whereas MSC Chitra was grounded close to the point of collision. In an official bulletin the Mediterranean Shipping Company advised that they held the Khalija III responsible for the accident. In their statement to their customers, who have cargo on board MSC Chitra, MSC advises: ‘It is most important that you notify your cargo insurers that you have cargo on the above ship. If your cargo is damaged, you may have a claim on the cargo insurance. Even if your cargo is sound, you will be asked to provide salvage security and this will normally be provided by your cargo insurer. In any event, you may need to call on your insurance company.’

I would like to introduce myself as a leather technician, owner and co-owner of tanning companies Heller-Leder, Helcor-Leder-tec and Südleder. Outside of my daily business activities I am also president of the German Leather Industry Association (Verband der deutschen Lederindustrie) and of the ‘German Leather Development Group’ (Forschungsgemeinschaft Leder).

Leather International hosted forty invited guests representing a range of businesses across the leather supply chain at the Hilton hotel, Shanghai, on August 31 to discuss the Leather Naturally! concept and where it should go from here.

Although there was plenty of activity at the Shanghai fair, many had expected more people there. Further, the fair has confirmed what we knew already but made it much more clear:

To celebrate the opening of the new Tongerpu-based Haining Leather Town, two famous Chinese comedians Zhao Benshan and Xiao Shenyang were invited to the opening ceremony, which took place on September 28.

The 113^th SLTC Conference took place near Sheffield, UK, on September 24. The Atkin memorial Lecturer was Johannes Borge, who spoke about ‘Manufacturing the Toyota Way’. He explained that the concept of lean manufacturing to him had been encapsulated by Toyota in TPS, the Toyota Production System. He said that by implementing a TPS, 2600 improvements in the tannery were achieved in two years, throughput time halved, there was quicker feedback on quality, deviations in quality were monitored 24 hours a day, and on time delivery improved to 96–98 %. He said the take home message was: Start, make mistakes, try again, seek help, and never give up!

People in the leather industry have been saying for years that we need a non-political, non-partisan organisation to globally support the industry and promote leather as a material

According to the Chinese state program on the elimination of outdated production capacities, tanners with a production less than 100,000 pieces equivalent to cow hide should be closed by the end of September 2010 say local government authorities in Jiangxi province. This has led to six leather industry related businesses being forced to close by the end of month according the CLIA’s official website.

High raw hide prices increase the need for tanners to make more of their leather and to maximise the cutting yield.

Previews of Stahl forecasts of colours for the Spring and Summer seasons of 2012 have recently been issued in poster and booklet forms.

Empty stockrooms and so far a very successful year for retail provided the shoe fair duo GDS – International Event for Shoes & Accessories and Global Shoes – a leading trade show for sourcing, ending on September 12 with three exciting days of business, information and communication. With a total of 28,600 visitors (7,000 of whom also attended Global Shoes) coming from 79 countries both events ended on last year’s levels. Exhibitors reported a significant increase in quality and a good ordering mood among buyers.

Following its hugely successful launch in 2009 the third Footwear Materials, Manufacturing & Technology India (fMM&T) will be held 6 - 8 May 2011, as before at the Expo Center, Greater Noida, New Delhi.

A pollution prevention program for the Quanzhou leather sector was announced on September 16. According to the program, Quanzhou in Fujian province will not allow the construction of any new tanneries with immediate effect. Pollution prevention and treatment will be strengthened in the region for the existing industry.

As one of Europe's largest leather production facility, Bridge of Weir Leather Company, part of Scottish Leather Group, is set to increase their production capabilities and continue to reduce their carbon footprint with a significant financial investment in advanced specialised cutting technology.

Interieurs Cuir, an exhibition highlighting the potential use of leather in the home is taking place at the Museum Ledru Rollin, rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine in Paris. The exhibition which features 10 furniture themes using leather will take place September 4 - 24.

Lanxess announced today its goal to increase its leading earnings indicator by roughly 80 percent in the coming five years. The specialty chemicals company is targeting EBITDA pre exceptionals of approximately EUR 1.4 billion in 2015 and confirmed its forecast of roughly EUR 800 million EBITDA pre exceptionals in 2010. Lanxess plans to achieve its mid-term earnings target through a dual-track growth strategy of organic and external growth. Organic growth will play the more dominant role.

Natural leathers dominated the trend area on the first day of Le Cuir A Paris which was held alongside the Premiere Vision show in hall 4 of the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre. The show, which features high-end leathers, takes place September 14-16. This year the fair returned to its 2008 levels with 329 exhibitors, mainly European, representing the high-end and fashion elements of the market. Last year 13,412 visitors attended the show.

Over the summer the sales department of Leather International relocated to a new office. Some important contact numbers have changed. The new numbers are as follows:

Sadesa, one of the worlds largest tanning groups announced in September that their San Luis plant in Argentina has been awarded gold status by the Leather Working Group for the second time. The tannery was reaudited earlier this year.

Pittards announced on September 9, a return to profitability with improved results for the first half of 2010.

A one-day conference entitled: ‘From Leather to fashion. The Importance of professional training in the supply chain for leather, clothing, footwear and accessories’ is set to take in the Italian town of Turbigo, Lombardy on October 16. The conference will be held in the Turbigo auditorium.

DyStar has decided to refocus its leather activities in Turkey and has therefore signed an exclusive agreement with Clearity Kimya. According to this new agreement Clearity Kimya takes over the agency of DyStar's leather business in Turkey.

North American based automotive upholstery maker, GST Autoleather, have acquired Seton Company’s North American cutting and finishing operations it was announced on September 7. GST have also acquired Seton’s Asian operations in China and South Korea. The Saxton, PA, wrapping operation is excluded from the acquisition.

CBW Chemie GmbH Bitterfeld Wolfen and WeylChem Group have reached an agreement with DyStar Colours Deutschland GmbH for the acquisition of DyStar’s production site in Brunsbüttel.

News of tannery shutdowns in Jinjiang province was issued by the CLIA last week. Jinjiang is located on China’s eastern coast on the strait of Taiwan, facing the island.

Clariant offer leather finishers a solvent-free alternative to nitro cellulose (NC) emulsions with the launch of Aqualen Top IL, an aqueous, modified polyurethane dispersion.

Hermes, the Paris luxury-goods producer, reported on August 31 a 55% surge in first-half net profit, buoyed by strong sales in Asia. Leathergoods and saddlery sales were also strong, growing 23%, led by small leather accessories and leather bags. Perfumes, fashion accessories and watches also recorded double-digit sales growth.

Thomas Ware & Sons Ltd, the traditional British vegetable heavy leather tanner will be expanding their export markets.  To help achieve this aim we are looking to attract an Export Sales Manager with experience in vegetable leather manufacture and a knowledge of markets outside the UK.

Thomas Ware & Sons Ltd, the traditional British vegetable heavy leather tanner will be expanding their export markets.  To help achieve this aim we are looking to attract an Export Sales Manager with experience in vegetable leather manufacture and a knowledge of markets outside the UK.