UK-based producer of leather for leading brands of gloves, shoes, luxury leather goods and sports equipment, Pittards plc, has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Privatisation & Public Enterprises Supervising Authority of Ethiopia to manage the Ethiopia Tannery Share Company (ETSC). ETSC is the largest state-owned tanneries in the African country and is a major supplier of sheepskins to Pittards for the production of gloving leather.

The principal objective of the contract, which is for five years, is to grow ETSC's value added production and export revenues through the provision of procurement, technical, management, selling, training and marketing expertise, and the development and implementation of managerial systems.

Under the terms of the contract, Pittards will be remunerated through a management fee, profit share and royalties in respect to brand licensing and technology transfer.

The company stated that he contract will provide Pittards and ETSC with expanded market and product opportunities across a range of leathers for gloves, shoes and leather goods.