Global Leather Industry Leaders to Meet at Forthcoming APLF Fair to address Hide Market Crash

HONG KONG, April 1 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Hide Market Crash is the ripple effect of the global economic crisis: plummeting sales in the automobile and household furniture sectors, both big leather consumers, have caused a radical decline in demand for skins. A similar trend followed in other leather articles like apparel, small leather goods and footwear.

The result: a chronic surplus of hides, triggering a host of other problems including the dwindling value of raw materials as well as financial and contractual changes.

In light of the current and impending challenges, trade fair organiser APLF and Ron Sauer, founder of the Sauer Report, are together hosting a brainstorming session - to take place tomorrow at APLF's Hong Kong leather fair, Materials, Manufacturing & Technology (MM&T).

The seminar, entitled The Future of the Raw Hides Market and Impact on the Leather Industry, will bring together top industry professionals from the US, China, Brazil and India. On April 2nd, leaders of leather associations will exchange ideas, solutions and offer local perspectives on problems plaguing their industry.

APLF Director Michael Duck said: "As an authority in leather & fashion trade exhibitions, it is our responsibility to address issues that impact the businesses of our members."

With no indication market recovery in sight, current challenges the Leather Industry are expected to continue, even amplify, in the near future. And, experts predict that the situation today will greatly impact the medium to long-term future of the leather business.

Mr. Sauer explained: "The primary cause of the problem of today is disparity in supply and demand. Hides and skins are available in only very slightly lower numbers but demand for leather is down as much as 30-40% over all".

"The leather industry has no control over the supply of its raw material. As long as there is a demand for meat - and there is, in spite of the crisis- its by-product, hides and skins, keep coming in hundreds of thousands, every day," he added.

Show and Seminar Information

The APLF Materials, Manufacturing & Technology exhibition is held from March 31st to April 2nd at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Future of the Raw Hides Market and Impact on the Leather Industry seminar, moderated by Ron Sauer, will take place on site on April 2nd 10:30 to 12:30.

    Confirmed speakers include

    -- CHINA: Zhang Shuhua, President of the International Hide Skin and
       Leather Traders Association (ICHSLTA) and Chairman of the China Leather
       Industry Association  (CLIA)
    -- US: John Reddington, President of the US Hide, Skins and Leather
       Association
    -- BRAZIL:  Luis Bittencourt, Center of the Brazilean Leather Industry
       President
    -- INDIA: Dr. Zackria Sait, Chairman of the Indian Finished Leather
       Manufacturers Association

About APLF Limited

APLF Limited is a joint venture between UBM Asia Limited and SIC SA, Paris and is managed in Asia by UBM Asia Limited.

    For fair details, please contact:

     Ms Perrine Ardouin, Senior Event Manager
     Email: perrine@cmpasia.com

    For media enquiries, please contact:

     Ms Emily Chan, Marketing Communications Executive
     Email: emilykwchan@cmpasia.com

     APLF Limited
     17/F China Resources Building
     26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
     Tel: +852-2827-6211
     Fax: +852-2827-7831
     Website: http://www.aplf.com / http://www.aclechina.com

SOURCE APLF Limited