Strong first outing for The Leather Link
Most European nationalities were represented, as were all parts of the supply chain from the hide supply sector right through to import/export agents, with delegates from Austria, France, the UK, Greece, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Slovenia and Yugoslavia particularly in evidence. Major-name businesses represented included Russkaya Kozha (Russia), Natuzzi (Italy), Pittards (UK), SAS Arnaud (France) and Vozkho (Ukraine).
Recurrent themes were the challenges inherent in bridging the east-west communications divide, the impact on the industry of the privatisation of raw materials in the east, marketing and export issues plus the problems faced by businesses in the East looking to forge relationships with the west.
The meeting was addressed by a number of industry authorities including David Buirski, Editor of World Leather magazine: (‘A Raw Material Perspective’); Arpasd Varszegi, BCE, Hungary, (‘The Leather and Footwear Industries in Eastern Europe’) and Bruno Cortese, Associazione Italiana dei Chimici del Cuo, Italy: (‘The Leather, Hides and Skins Markets - Trade Opportunities between Eastern and Western Europe’)
SIC Group says that such was the level of positive feedback, it has already begun drawing up plans for the 2003 event.
