Automotive and furniture upholstery leather tanners, Wollsdorf Leder, were able to increase their turnover by 10% in the 2002/03 fiscal year compared with the previous fiscal period. The increase was attributed to a rise in market share in the furniture sector in Germany and the overall company development in the automotive sector. With an increase in orders of 25% on the previous year, Wollsdorf Leder achieved the highest level of business since the company was founded. According to the company, turnover has risen by a further 15% since July and a number of new high-profile companies have been added to their customer base including Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin.

Wollsdorf have also been awarded the contract to supply upholstery leather for the new Porsche Cayenne and the VW Phaeton models. To meet the extra demand Wollsdorf has focused on expanding capacity and an investment of €2 million has been made.

As a consequence of the increased business, the tannery has been able to employ an extra 40 people bringing the total workforce to approximately 500.

95% of their turnover is now exported worldwide to more than 30 countries.

The company are now looking to expand their business in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and South Africa.