ACLE continues to grow

Published: 16 September, 2005

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.

Of course, no-one can truly know how much business is actually done at a show, but the fair was very well attended and most stands attracted a good number of visitors. It gave every impression of being a well-run and popular show.

However, according to Don Ohsman of Hidenet.com, US hide traders were reporting a lack of real interest from Chinese tanners but then they were hoping for prices which had been around for some months rather than actual levels attracted in the run-up to the fair.

Despite the tough trading conditions which have seen most exhibitions contract in the past year, the ACLE is definitely still on the up. Shanghai is a fast-paced and exciting city and one of the magic ingredients for a successful show has always been an attractive location. Add China to the mix as the major influence in the tanning industry of today, and you have a successful show.

According to John Gorman, Australia sent their largest contingent ever to the show with 17 companies covering all the major hide, skins and leather companies. He said there was a lot of interest in goat and kangaroo, medium interest for hides but little interest in sheepskins currently. However, expectations are that the market will firm up later in the year when the Russians confirm their purchases from China.

In addition to the actual exhibition there was a full programme of meetings and seminars in the adjoining meeting rooms, from fashion trends, through an overview of focus country of India to more technical subjects such as advances in degreasing technology by Dean Didato of Buckman Laboratories, USA - tough on grease, easy on the environment - and formaldehyde in leathergoods - remedies and solutions - by E Stoppa, FGL, Italy.

USHSLA, the United States Hide, Skin & Leather Association introduced their recently published Standards governing the export of North American Cattle Hides to the audience. This sets out clearly general conditions (a written contract, average weight, selection and inspection requirements), standards for delivery and rules governing receiving and inspection of hides at final destination.

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