The APLF has announced that it is to sponsor the third Upholstery Leather Conference to be held in Hong Kong April 5, 2005. The event that is being organised by SauerReport.com, Leather International, and the Rizzi pellami S.P.A will present the current state and expectations for the upholstery leather sector in Asia. Leading figures from this sector will present their views of the current market, discuss problems that exist and present solutions on automobile, furniture upholstery leather production and trade business topics.
The APLF decided to sponsor the event – which takes place a day prior to the opening of its own event, APLF-MMT – as a result of the rapid growth that has been seen in this sector in recent years. Demand for upholstery leather across Asia – particularly in China - has increased rapidly. In 2003 the output value of the furniture industry in China jumped to $20.7 billion, just behind Germany and Italy.
Data also shows that China rose up the rankings to become the fourth largest car producer in 2003, after the USA, Germany and Japan. As a result of China’s standing at the top end of producers of automobiles and furniture, the demand for upholstery leather continues to increase.
