Speaking at the Lineapelle Leather Show in Bologna, the German Leather Federation announced that the total turnover of the 40 German tanneries went down in the first six months of 2004. Domestic sales fell 19%, especially in the furniture sector, and exports went down by 13%. Total annual sales are around €550 million ($701.6 million) of which 47% are exported. With further reductions in domestic and European footwear and leathergoods production expected, the Federation said that it is vital for the sector to gain wider access to international markets.
The German tanning industry produces about 16 million square feet of finished leather a year and has a total workforce of around 3,000. It utilises about half of the German raw material supply, with about 70% going to furniture and automotive end users and 20% to footwear.
