Germany’s high grade leather stands out in China
A report has shown that a shortage of quality leather in the Chinese market has allowed foreign firms to grab market share in the country. Various countries such as Brazil and Argentina have increased their profile in China, but Germany appears to be the leading the way, with several companies making a big impact in the country.
German leather manufacturers have been much in evidence at industry exhibitions and fairs in China, while the amount spent by them on advertising in national and local magazines has also increased.
A good example is the Louis Schweizer company, which recently established a new production line in Guangzhou city and is becoming well known in south China. Other firms that have enjoyed conspicuous success are Freudenberg, a company famous for high grade calf grain leather, and Schafstall, which produces leather for the production of sofas, shoes and furnitures.
In 2000 the Germany leather industry exported goods at a total value of Euro706, but mostly to Poland, Hungary and other European countries. Industry experts believe exports will increase by about 30% over the next year if leather exports to China continue to grow at the pace they are growing at present.
