Leather and Hide Council of America emerges from mer - leatherbiz: Lea Leatherbiz

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Leather and Hide Council of America emerges from merger

24/09/2019
The US Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) and the Leather Industries of America (LIA) formally merged during a signing ceremony at their joint annual meeting and convention in Chicago in mid-September. USHSLA and LIA members unanimously approved the merger.

Effective from January 1, 2020, the two associations will form the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) and will be led by current USHSLA president, Stephen Sothmann.  LIA President John Wittenborn is retiring at the end of this year following 15 years at the helm of LIA, and more than 34 years working on behalf of the leather industry.   
 
“This merger represents a critical step forward, particularly now, when the US hide, skin and leather industry supply chain has more at stake than ever before,” said Stephen Sothmann. “Soft global market demand, international trade disruptions and an increasingly consolidated industry require our representative bodies to take bold action. The new Leather and Hide Council of America reflects our industry’s commitment to building a strong future and will serve as the premier voice of the entire leather supply chain, both in the US and abroad.”

Related stories:

USHSLA relieved about EU tariff exemption 08/10/2019
USHSLA launches ‘groundbreaking’ traceability programme 01/10/2019

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