I F L M E A

Chaiman's Speech

Dear Stalwarts and Leaders from the Fraternity, Members of IFLMEA, Stake-holders and Partners from the Industry, Ladies & Gentlemen. I stand before you today to deliver the Chairman's speech at the 41 st Annual General Body Meeting of IFLMEA.

On dais (L to R): On podium is Mr PK Aslam Basha, Executive Secretary. Seated are: Mr Ateequr Rahman, Vice Chairman; Mr Md Jahan, Honorary Secretary; Mr KR Vijayan, Chairman & Mr Salmaan Parpia, Vice Chairman

I quote Dr Mike Redwood, also known to many of us as Michael from UK and his close association with International Leather Maker, Leather Naturally and the World of Leather: He says, “Materials such as leather need to move with the times to stay relevant. These include technology, innovation, demographics, fashion, lifestyle and consumer behaviour as new generations advance in a world, unrecognizable to their grandparents.

What can be done with creativity in product and positioning to accelerate it?
For the Industrial Revolution, it was performance that mattered while, for the Renaissance, beauty and elegance were essential. In Roman times, both were important. We should never forget the way in which the Renaissance brought material thinking to fore, working gold, silver, silks, velvets, brocades and others like leather. We are beginning to recognise leather was equally important and even more enduring.

Leather can now be widely replaced by alternate materials, but its longevity and sustainability mean that tanners can look at every corner where replacements exist to seek out their failings. These are many and should be targeted with perfectly fitting leather products and highly focussed marketing.

The leather industry can only boom based entirely on demand.

The Consumer should look out for one quality leather item, be it a garment, bag or pair of shoes to buy. Products that we know have the quality and design that we will want to care for and use for a very long time. That way, we will feel better every time we use them and help to slow a damaging consumer trend.” Unquote.

I was looking forward to inviting Dr Mike Redwood to this AGM. He has just undergone a hip replacement surgery and is not able to travel for some time. But, IFLMEA in co-operation with you hope that we can get Michael to speak to us in October or in November this year.

I recently read the recently published 2024 Tanner Business Confidence Survey by ILM and is states that during 2023, when tanners were asked which trade shows they exhibited at during the past year, many of the various options were below 10% but the percentages have increased significantly in this year's survey.

APLF Hong Kong (57%) and Lineapelle/ Simac Tanning Tech (56%) were the leading results, as expected, but 35% said they had exhibited at the India International Leather Fair (IILF) and more than 20% included the ACLE, Anpic and Premiere Vision Leather.

Meanwhile, 76% of the survey respondents said that they would exhibit at or visit an international trade show or live industry events before the end of 2024, up from 63% last year.

Driving this trend, a huge 92% majority said they would do the same in 2025, showing that trade shows may finally be back to pre-pandemic form after a long recovery period.

All eyes will be on the ACLE, Lineapelle and Simac Tanning Tech events left in the 2024 calendar to gauge the direction of the industry through the end of this year and into the next.

Picture of Mr KR Vijayan, Chairman as he is delivering the Chairman’s speech at the 41st AGM of IFLMEA

LINEAPELLE during 17-19 September 2024 has paved the way for Members of IFLMEA to gear up with new developments in leathers and colours for the Autumn Winter 25/26 season. As Chairman, IFLMEA, I take this opportunity to wish every Exhibitor and Visitor from India, every success in your endeavours. LINEAPELLE, I must reiterate is the most important international exhibition dedicated to leather and a test bed for our future businesses.

As per officially notified DGCI&S monthly export data, brought to us by the Council for Leather Exports, the export of Leather, Leather Products and Footwear for the period April-June 2024-25 touched US$ 1152.27 million as against the performance of US$ 1200.93 million in April-June 2023-24, recording a decline of -4.05%. In rupee terms, the export touched Rs 96130.34 million in April-June 2024-25 as against Rs. 98724.55 million in April-June 2023-24, registering a decline of -2.63%. Finished Leather has a mere 9.75% share in the total exports’ basket from our country.

During our visits to the major Sports Shoe Manufacturers factory with Team CLE, we witnessed that nearly 70% of the material used is Leather. This means that Leather is being used in Sports Shoes. The question remains “Who is supplying this, Leather? If not the Indian Tanner.”
The earlier we find answers, the better it would be for our growth and sustainability.

Let this 41st AGM pave the way for a few new endeavours and these include:

1. Panel Discussion on “Innovative Technologies and Sustainability” &
2. Presentation of Special Awards to Outstanding Tanneries and CETP

IFLMEA will present New & Innovative Technologies for Tanning Sector:

Three talks have been lined up for this evening:

1. ‘Importance of chemical saving during the finishing process,’ by Mr Guido Frizzarin;

2. ‘DyTan Tanning which is a sustainable approach to traditional leather tanning,’ by Mr SK Sabapathy, and

3. ‘Sustainable Leather Production with Sferes™ Technology,’ by Mr SP Velan.

IFLMEA will present “Special Awards” to Outstanding Tanneries and CETP during Year 2023-24:

Witness the recipients of the Award Winners in the categories:
Largest Exporter of Finished Leathers to M/s. PRARA LEATHERS Pvt. Ltd.
Tannery with Greener Technology toM/s. KKSK TANNING Co. Pvt. Ltd.
Emerging Entrepreneur/s to M/s. FLAMINGO SSI and to M/s. D2 FOILS
Most Energy Efficient Tannery to M/s. JAHAN LEATHER EXPORTS
Best Common Effluent Treatment Plant (C.E.T.P) to M/s. PALLAVARAM TANNERS EFFLUENT INDUSTRIAL TREATMENT Co. Pvt. Ltd.

Acknowledgement of Support to IFLMEA:

The Government of India through the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is in every way supporting our efforts.
The Council for Leather Exports is taking our problems to the Government and I would like to call for a unified voice on this. United we stand.
Institutions like CSIR-CLRI, FDDI, NIFT, NID, CFTI, CPT are our pillars of strength and I wish to express my gratitude to all the Directors of the Institutions for your support to us.
Thank You Team ITPO for enabling our outreach through successive Indian International Leather Fairs.
Thank You to the President, AISHTMA; President, ISF; Regional Chairman, CLE (Southern Region); President, SISMA; The Executive Director, CLE; President, CIFI, President, IFCOMA; President, AFCAMMI for our many collaborative efforts and joining hands in the interests of our Industry and our Nation.
To all the Leather Chemical Manufacturers in our Industry for bringing us newer technologies with your chemicals.
Thank You to Dr Mike Redwood and to International Leather Maker for inspiring me.

Last but not the least, I wish to thank my Vice Chairman, the Honorary Secretary, and the Treasurer for their support. Mr PK Aslam Basha, Executive Secretary and his colleague Mr Liaqat; I remain thankful to you for your hard work.

I concluding stating that “GOOD LEATHER HAS A SOUL, IT TELLS STORIES AND BECOMES PART OF YOU OVER TIME.”