EUROPE
Mild climate conditions with moderate temperatures as well as speciesoriented farming and feeding make European hides and skins an absolute quality product for leather processing. The animals are identified through either chip or stamp, which is why there is no branding of neither hides nor skins. To ensure a smooth running production of high-end European leather products for brand manufacturers worldwide, raw materials are carefully selected and undergo a complete and thorough final inspection. In order to vouch for a documented supply of leather made of European raw materials, a clear traceability as well as the Leather Working Group’s environmental standards are observed.
BRAZIL
BOLIVIA
Brazil and Bolivia are the leading suppliers for the international meat market. Their volume of cattle hides is therefore huge in proportion. No more than 15 - 20% can advertise an unbeatable price-performance ratio in Wet Blue (limed, tanned, wet) and finished leather with one to three brands. With different climate zones and different breeds, hides from these countries are irregular, as far as size, hair pores and fiber structure are concerned. Sub-standard ranges are frequent and huge, with a limited usefulness. In terms of origin and sustainability they follow the rules of the Leather Working Group and are documented with Gold status.
USA
The USA is the world leader in meat consumption, which increases especially the number of cattle hides. Large herds – as opposed to being kept in large farms, the so-called “feed lots” – can also roam free in open spaces. As a part of tradition, and for identification reasons, many animals are marked, some of them several times, with large brands. A typical characteristic of American leather. The professional breeding, species-oriented maintenance and good feeding of the animals provides a compact fiber and firm structure of the hides - similar to European products. “Native Steers” also stand out through quality without branding and are the basis for highend products made from American leathers. Sustainability and traceability are documented with Leather Working Group Gold Status.
URUGUAY
Uruguay has a very mild and moderate climate with good vegetation, forming an ideal basis for cattle and sheep farming. On account of the small territory quantities are limited. With a firm fiber, a very fine hair pore structure, as well as a one-brand maximum, the hides are processed on the spot, into either Wet Blue (limed, tanned and wet) or dyed leathers, and are popular with customers from all over the world. The refinement with adequate know-how mainly takes place in foreign tanneries. All the while the raw product follows the rules of the Leather Working Group regarding sustainability and traceability.
ARGENTINA
Argentinian meat enjoys the highest reputation worldwide and is the mainstay of foreign trade. Correspondingly, there is a high amount of hides. The law, however, only allows the export of completely tanned leathers. Despite being rather small at 3-4 m², Argentinian hides are all the more impressive with their fine hair pores and firm fiber structure with a onebrand maximum. A top-range (premium) cannot be supplied because of scarring and insect bites, induced through dry climate. Internationally, the leathers are therefore only available in range-packages with gradations. Traceability and environmental standards follow standards of the Leather Working Group and are guaranteed with Gold Status.
JAPAN
Japan is among the leading nations in terms of culture and economics. Apart from fish, pork has traditionally been the main food. An almost unparalleled phenomenon, Japanese people unanimously refrain from eating animal skin for ethical reasons. Species-oriented animal maintenance, a mild climate and proper vegetation are a guarantee of good quality. Consequently, Japan is the main international supplier of pig skins. The perishable hides are salted (preserved) because of the long transport routes. Careful handling of the sensitive hides is essential in order to avoid any quality-loss during shipping. Japan’s international reputation for this product is world-famous. Compliance with ethical and social standards as well as CADS and Reachconformity is fully documented.
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
These two countries are at the international head of lamb and sheep farming. Hence the available number of hides is huge in proportion. The raw material endures strong fl uctuations in terms of price and season changes. Quality feature is a fine and smooth hair pore structure. It is furthermore classified according to size, length and weight, so that a homogeneous leather can be produced. Long transport routes require long-term planning in order to guarantee the proper quality and availability. Traceability, sustainability and compliance with social and ethical standards are documented with Gold status according to Leather Working Group, while CADS and Reach-conformity are also confirmed.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa‘s predominantly mild and moderate climate is similar to Europe, including seasons and vegetation. Large farms, so-called “feed lots”, follow the international, high breeding-standards. Speciesoriented animal maintenance and feeding generates proper raw hides. The quantity is limited and the main share is processed within the domestic market. A thorough selection of raw materials makes the quality equal to European top-ranges and guarantees undisturbed processing. The local partners, having roots in Europe, follow Europe’s ethical and social standards, assuring sustainable livestock farming and CADS conformity.
INDIA
PAKISTAN
BANGLADESH
On the supplier market, these countries are considered to be the “Big 3”, providing small animal skins (goats and sheep), calf leather with a fine structure and buffalo leather with a robust feel. The high population density of almost two billion people accounts for an enormous volume of raw materials of small animal skins, buffalo is declining. At an average quality of raw hides the majority is locally processed into cheap leather products. Only the best ranges of finished leather find their way into the international markets. According to legal provisions, the export of raw hides and Wet Blue (limed, tanned and wet) is prohibited. Long-term planning, functioning logistics and well-thought-out stockpiling are pre-conditions for reliable and ontime delivery. Absence of pollutants, following the Leather Working Group’s standards, as well as monitoring social and ethical standards are guaranteed.
EUROPE
Mild climate conditions with moderate temperatures as well as speciesoriented farming and feeding make European hides and skins an absolute quality product for leather processing. The animals are identified through either chip or stamp, which is why there is no branding of neither hides nor skins. To ensure a smooth running production of high-end European leather products for brand manufacturers worldwide, raw materials are carefully selected and undergo a complete and thorough final inspection. In order to vouch for a documented supply of leather made of European raw materials, a clear traceability as well as the Leather Working Group’s environmental standards are observed.
BRAZIL
BOLIVIA
Brazil and Bolivia are the leading suppliers for the international meat market. Their volume of cattle hides is therefore huge in proportion. No more than 15 - 20% can advertise an unbeatable price-performance ratio in Wet Blue (limed, tanned, wet) and finished leather with one to three brands. With different climate zones and different breeds, hides from these countries are irregular, as far as size, hair pores and fiber structure are concerned. Sub-standard ranges are frequent and huge, with a limited usefulness. In terms of origin and sustainability they follow the rules of the Leather Working Group and are documented with Gold status.
USA
The USA is the world leader in meat consumption, which increases especially the number of cattle hides. Large herds – as opposed to being kept in large farms, the so-called “feed lots” – can also roam free in open spaces. As a part of tradition, and for identification reasons, many animals are marked, some of them several times, with large brands. A typical characteristic of American leather. The professional breeding, species-oriented maintenance and good feeding of the animals provides a compact fiber and firm structure of the hides - similar to European products. “Native Steers” also stand out through quality without branding and are the basis for highend products made from American leathers. Sustainability and traceability are documented with Leather Working Group Gold Status.
URUGUAY
Uruguay has a very mild and moderate climate with good vegetation, forming an ideal basis for cattle and sheep farming. On account of the small territory quantities are limited. With a firm fiber, a very fine hair pore structure, as well as a one-brand maximum, the hides are processed on the spot, into either Wet Blue (limed, tanned and wet) or dyed leathers, and are popular with customers from all over the world. The refinement with adequate know-how mainly takes place in foreign tanneries. All the while the raw product follows the rules of the Leather Working Group regarding sustainability and traceability.
ARGENTINA
Argentinian meat enjoys the highest reputation worldwide and is the mainstay of foreign trade. Correspondingly, there is a high amount of hides. The law, however, only allows the export of completely tanned leathers. Despite being rather small at 3-4 m², Argentinian hides are all the more impressive with their fine hair pores and firm fiber structure with a onebrand maximum. A top-range (premium) cannot be supplied because of scarring and insect bites, induced through dry climate. Internationally, the leathers are therefore only available in range-packages with gradations. Traceability and environmental standards follow standards of the Leather Working Group and are guaranteed with Gold Status.
JAPAN
Japan is among the leading nations in terms of culture and economics. Apart from fish, pork has traditionally been the main food. An almost unparalleled phenomenon, Japanese people unanimously refrain from eating animal skin for ethical reasons. Species-oriented animal maintenance, a mild climate and proper vegetation are a guarantee of good quality. Consequently, Japan is the main international supplier of pig skins. The perishable hides are salted (preserved) because of the long transport routes. Careful handling of the sensitive hides is essential in order to avoid any quality-loss during shipping. Japan’s international reputation for this product is world-famous. Compliance with ethical and social standards as well as CADS and Reachconformity is fully documented.
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
These two countries are at the international head of lamb and sheep farming. Hence the available number of hides is huge in proportion. The raw material endures strong fl uctuations in terms of price and season changes. Quality feature is a fine and smooth hair pore structure. It is furthermore classified according to size, length and weight, so that a homogeneous leather can be produced. Long transport routes require long-term planning in order to guarantee the proper quality and availability. Traceability, sustainability and compliance with social and ethical standards are documented with Gold status according to Leather Working Group, while CADS and Reach-conformity are also confirmed.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa‘s predominantly mild and moderate climate is similar to Europe, including seasons and vegetation. Large farms, so-called “feed lots”, follow the international, high breeding-standards. Speciesoriented animal maintenance and feeding generates proper raw hides. The quantity is limited and the main share is processed within the domestic market. A thorough selection of raw materials makes the quality equal to European top-ranges and guarantees undisturbed processing. The local partners, having roots in Europe, follow Europe’s ethical and social standards, assuring sustainable livestock farming and CADS conformity.
INDIA
PAKISTAN
BANGLADESH
On the supplier market, these countries are considered to be the “Big 3”, providing small animal skins (goats and sheep), calf leather with a fine structure and buffalo leather with a robust feel. The high population density of almost two billion people accounts for an enormous volume of raw materials of small animal skins, buffalo is declining. At an average quality of raw hides the majority is locally processed into cheap leather products. Only the best ranges of finished leather find their way into the international markets. According to legal provisions, the export of raw hides and Wet Blue (limed, tanned and wet) is prohibited. Long-term planning, functioning logistics and well-thought-out stockpiling are pre-conditions for reliable and ontime delivery. Absence of pollutants, following the Leather Working Group’s standards, as well as monitoring social and ethical standards are guaranteed.
