Pierre van Niekerk is to be the new president of the SHALC (skins, hides and leather council), a longstanding body representing tanners and shippers in South Africa. Previous president Tony Mossop resigned at a recent AGM, but will remain on the executive committee.

Pierre van Niekark has been vice president of SHALC for the past year and runs Gringo Leathers in Natal with his father, Pieter, making footwear leathers. Therina Terblanche of EAC Tannery has been elected vice president.