Fewer Brazilian leather machinery manufacturers will participate at this October’s Tanning Tech in Bologna than in 2004. Manufacturers BKS, Bremm Peck, Cardall and Master will exhibit on the Abrameq, the Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Machines and Equipment for Leather and Footwear, stand while other Brazilian companies will exhibit on the stands of their distributors or technology partners. The fact that the number of companies has dropped from 10 to four is seen as an indication that Brazilian machinery manufacturers are struggling to compete.

According to Valter Broda, managing director of Abrameq, the Brazilian exhibitors will introduce many new technological developments at the show although they are not anticipating large deals because of the present high exchange rate of the real against the dollar. This has made Brazilian machinery less competitive in the international market, especially when compared with similar equipment from China.

The companies’ presence at the event has been organised by Abrameq, with the support of Apex-Brasil – the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency.