Global Leather Alliance launches
A new independent, non-profit organisation, the Global Leather Alliance, launched in Milan on September 15.
It launched to bring industry leaders together “to protect, promote and advance the future of leather”. Chief executive of leather chemicals developer Smit & Zoon, Marc Smit, is the chair of the new organisation. Chief executive of automotive leather manufacturer Pangea, Randy Johnson, is vice-chair.
Addressing a group of senior leather industry figures from all parts of the world at the launch event, Marc Smit said other industries, including the milk and wool sectors, had been able to overcome rivalries and competitive tensions to pool resources and work together to respond to criticism and present a positive image to customers.
“The leather industry has tried many times to raise funds and build an organisation that can rise to the challenge,” he continued. “The intentions were good, but what was missing was a shared mechanism, a single voice and the co-ordination [to make it happen].”
He said the Global Leather Alliance will ask companies in the industry for “a serious contribution” towards carrying out this work now, “but not an unlimited one”. Top-tier membership will cost organisations €40,000 per year.
The organisation, which has Brussels as its headquarters, will use the money it raises to run regional working groups and a dedicated central organisation. Members will decide democratically on the campaigns the Global Leather Alliance will run.
Among its early ideas, the Global Leather Alliance said it would seek to absorb campaign organisation Leather Naturally into its structure.
