Alexandria tannery closes

The Mardig Zarbhanelian Sons tannery in Alexandria has closed at the end of January following bankruptcy. The Egyptian/Armenian owner was forced to close the business following financial difficulties and labour problems. According to an Egyptian leather industry source, the vegetable leather tanners were reported to have debts of around US$300,000. Following the closure of the tannery, a local merchant acquired the tannery buildings, land and storage facilities for a reported US$1 million in March. The new owner is anticipated to produce wet-blue from the factory. The closure of Mardig Zarbhanelian Sons comes as a blow to the local tanning sector in Alexandria where they were reported to be one of most organised and highest quality leather producers in the area. The former tannery produced bovine vegetable leathers and employed a total of ten people.