In this article, we are going to take a look at the world’s top tanneries. Unfortunately, we see that despite the fact that Iran is one of the centers of production and export of salami and leather in the world today, it does not have a place among the top 20 tanneries in the world. Why? Shouldn’t we be one of the top tanneries in the world now that we are not one of the exporters of leather products and there is no news about Iran’s position in the world leather yesterday? Where is the problem? Isn’t it time to think better and find a solution?
In early July 2009, the leather international magazine launched a selection of the world’s most important and influential tanners through its website to provide a perspective on the global leather industry. The plan seemed straightforward at first, but as soon as the magazine received responses, it realized that the choice was not easy, and about 50 different tanneries could be added to the list.
Finally, 20 manufacturing companies were selected as the top tanneries in the world and their names were published in alphabetical order in September 2009. They mentioned that all 50 companies played a major role in the leather industry and should be praised for their success in the tanning industry. The success of these firms was due to the use of design, fashion and new technologies, environmental control and modern techniques, and years of work experience.
If we want to explain the distribution of these tanneries based on the countries in which they are located, we must say that among the top 20 tanneries in the world were 5 tanneries from China, 2 tanneries from India and 2 tanneries from Italy. Countries such as Austria, Uruguay, Germany, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, Taiwan, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Singapore each had one tannery on their 20-person list (based on business executives). Interestingly, of the world’s top five tanneries located in China and Thailand, only one is run by a Chinese, and the rest are mostly founded or run by Americans or Europeans. In the following, we will introduce the 4 tanneries who are present in this list:
The director of this company, which is one of the branches of the big company Richina Pacific, is Mr. Robert Moor. The company has four tanneries, all located in one place in Shanghai. The total production of these tanners is about 4 million square feet per month (in the year of publication of this article), half of which is cow leather, a quarter of which, according to the contract concluded with GST Leather Company, is cow leather for use in cars. Richina Leather Company is the only tannery in the world that produces leather for cars, clothing, shoes and leather goods in a specific location.
The company’s main customers include Nike, Calvin Klein, Clarks and many other shoe and clothing manufacturers. Peugeot, Toyota, Chery and Citroen are also customers through this tannery. The Richina Leather Company was founded in 1995 and has since become the leading Asian leather manufacturer and the only tanner in the world to produce leather for automotive, clothing, footwear and leather goods in a single unit. Prior to joining Richina Leather, Robert Moore was the CEO of Prim Tanning Company in the United States and has been in the business world since 2000. He also holds a degree in marketing from the University of Mississippi.
This group consists of 8 tanneries, 6 of which are located in the Arzignano section in Italy, one in Brazil, and one in Indonesia. The group employs more than 2,000 people and has a turnover of € 500 million in 2008. The specialty of these tanneries is the processing of cow and calf leather for various uses. The customers of this group are mainly prominent international and Italian shoe brands; however, it also has customers in the fields of car leather, aircraft, and shipbuilding. Bruno Mastrotto and Santo Mastrotto are two brothers whose father, Arciso, founded the tannery in 1958 and now co-runs the tannery. One of the most important issues that have made them one of the tops in the world is the special attention paid to research in innovation and new technologies, and they have sales offices or warehouses in 80 countries.
The CEO of this company is a person named Kaul. The company has 4 factories in India, one of which is located in “Dewas” and is among the top 3 factories in the world in the field of goat leather. The company has an annual production of 5.5 million square feet and a turnover of $ 125 million. The company has 1350 employees and leather production in Tata International Company tanneries is done from cow, goat, sheep and buffalo skin. Mr. Kaul joined Tata International in 1975 after receiving his master’s degree in leather technology. In 1993, the company was named the top leather company in Asia and received ISO 9000 and ISO 84000 certifications.
The group has 5 tanneries and 3 final product units and is located in Karachi, Pakistan. This tannery prepares goat and goat skins for final use in the shoe industry and sheepskin for clothing and gloves. The tannery employs about 2,800 people and has an annual turnover of $ 100 million and exports 80 percent of its products.
Shafi Group of Industries produces 5,000 pieces of clothing and 100,000 pairs of shoes using its proprietary leathers. The director and owner of this group is Mr. Muhammad Naseem Shafi, who in addition to business also pays attention to social welfare and charitable affairs.
