China, Brazil, India and the US set up the G4 Leather Group

Hélio Mendes, Executive Director of the Brazilian Tannery Industry Association (CICB), elaborates on the newly formed G4 Leather Group. Hélio Mendes, Executive Director of the Centre on Tanners Industries of Brazil (CICB)   Industry organisations from different countries often unite in order to promote their members' interests. Consisting of the world’s the four largest hide producers, China, Brazil, India and the US this new grouping aims to establish itself as a decision making centre in today’s fast changing market. In point of fact these countries alone account for 60% of the world’s hide supply. The first step was accomplished with the four members attending a meeting of the “Competitiveness Forum”. Hélio Mendes points out that the profile of the international leather industry is changing with the focus of leather producers increasingly on the automobile and upholstery industries. Leather, in global terms, now has a new production cycle. The G4 Leather group marks a major strategic initiative for the countries involved. It reflects the fact that future demand for this quality product is expected to outstrip supply. The organisation could give a new business format to the industry. For example, by creating a model which will allow the formation of a Leather Exchange (following the examples of coffee, soya and meat); or developing plans for new uses of leather, or promoting its use in the manufacture of luxury goods.   An important consideration are the number of jobs and the foreign exchange earnings which leather generates worldwide. It is no longer merely a by-product of the meat industry but has to be viewed in terms of its importance and strategic use in projects which transcend the economy of a single country.   Now is judged an opportune moment for this initiative; barriers separating countries are being breached by production processes and huge economic groups at a speed never seen before. This is now the time to think big and plan accordingly. The world is dependent on commodities but due to the lack of commercial organisation producers are not paid their real value.   For its part the Brazilian leather industry has managed to beat all export goals. It grew by 16.8% increasing from US$1.87 billion in 2006 to US$2.19 billion in 2007.  The G4 Leather group could help firmly establish the domestic leather industry as a significant sector in the country’s economy.   Source: http://www.exclusivo.com.br/esp/?noticias/55349/Artigo:_Est%C3%A1_naciendo_el_G4_del_cuero.html If you wish to contribute to the APLF News, with your experiences in the industry, your observations, or general thoughts on the direction the industry is going, we would like to hear from you. Email: aplf-news@aplf.com How long has your company been attending APLF? If you wish to be involved in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of APLF, we would like to hear from you. Email: aplf-news@aplf.com. Subject Headline: APLF 25th Anniversary