Austrian manufacturer of upholstery leather, rawhides and leather products, Wollsdorf Leder has reported positive results for the financial year.

Turnover increased 5% to approximately €90 million, which was largely attributed to increased demand from the automotive industry. According to the company, demand for leather-covered steering wheels has increased significantly in the past year with Daimler Chrysler, Audi, VW and Porsche all increasing the volume of their orders.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of steering wheel leather strips, with a daily production of 17,000 units, the positive upturn in demand has been a positive development for the company and has attributed to a rise in the number of staff during the year. The company now employs 650 workers, 90 more than in the previous year.

Higher demand for aircraft leather also boosted results, particularly following the approval of Wollsdorf’s leather for use in all of the Airbus models. The company also became the main supplier of Germany’s national airline, Lufthansa in 2005.

95% of the company’s production is exported to over 30 countries around the world including Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, Italy, the Far East and Australia.