British Leather Day sets a standard
The British leather industry was showcased at the first British Leather Day, organised by - and held at - BLC Leather Technology Centre, in Northampton on October 17. Guests and media representatives were introduced to the subject by Mike Parsons, the recently appointed Chief Executive Designate of BLC, and Reg Hankey, the president of the British Leather Confederation, before being given a guided tour of the research centre and its laboratories.
Although leather is a by-product industry, the industry continues its vigorous ongoing efforts through the work of the Centre to help the farming industry improve animal husbandry and the quality of the raw material available to tanners. BLC’s investment in helping the industry worldwide minimise its environmental impact through the use of advanced technology was also highlighted. A display of leather products produced in the United Kingdom ranged from the leather interior of the newest Aston Martin luxury car through designer fashions to leathergoods, floor tiles and saddlery.
The UK’s tanning industry has an annual turnover of approximately £375 million ($537 million) of which some 60% is exported. Finished leather exports in 2000 went mainly to Thailand, France, Spain and Hong Kong. Upholstery leather accounts for some 41% of UK finished leather production by volume, followed by footwear (34%) and garment leather (15%). In 2000, tanned (but not finished) leather was principally exported to Italy.
