News & numbers “It’s difficult to find talent for our brands. Artisanal roles are not even introduced in school.
And yet, artisanship is Italy’s Silicon Valley.” Alexandre Boquel, director, Metiers d’Excellence
Scottish Leather Group opens £14m ‘super tannery’ facility
The new SLG facility sets new industry standards for leather production and will build on its world-leading sustainability achievements. The landmark project is part of SLG’s ongoing commitment to raising standards in quality, sustainability and traceability. The business is renowned for producing the world’s lowest-carbon leather. The new facility, based at Bridge
of Weir, near Paisley, was constructed with a goal of low-impact production and incorporates innovative hide processing technology that ensures consistency of quality while further enhancing environmental performance. Compared with the group’s previous equipment, the super tannery will reduce energy and water use by 82% and 42% respectively.
Leather UK and LHTBI announce fund to aid UK leather workers
Leather UK and the Leather and Hide Trades’ Benevolent Institution (LHTBI) have jointly introduced a hardship fund tailored to support leather workers in the UK. Known as the Leather UK Hardship Grant, this initiative is aimed at alleviating the adverse effects of the ongoing cost of living crisis. Individuals facing financial difficulties due to this crisis can apply for this grant, which offers financial assistance of up to £1,000. Each application will be meticulously assessed on a case-by-case basis and
treated with the utmost confidentiality. Applicants are required to provide evidence of the hardship.
This programme is specifically designed to aid UK residents who are grappling with severe financial shortfalls and can substantiate a genuine need for assistance. It is important to note that the grant is not intended to cover all additional expenses or serve as a replacement for regular income. Instead, it is a flexible resource designed to adapt to the evolving circumstances of eligible individuals.
Natuzzi reports Q2 2023 financial results
Italian furniture manufacturer Natuzzi has released its second-quarter results for the 2023 financial year, revealing a 28.5% decrease in invoiced sales, amounting to €83.5m. This figure marked a 9.4% decline compared with the second quarter of 2019 before the pandemic, with the decrease being attributed to adverse macroeconomic conditions affecting the furnishings industry. Natuzzi’s total branded invoiced sales for the period amounted to €74.5m, reflecting a year-on-year drop of 24.5%. Natuzzi Italia’s contribution to these sales reached €31m, experiencing a decline of 42%, while Natuzzi Editions saw a decrease of 3.5% in
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invoiced sales, totalling €43.5m. Breaking down sales by region, Natuzzi witnessed a 21.1% decline in North America, resulting in sales of €24.7m. Greater China experienced a substantial 50% drop, recording sales of €6.6m. In western and southern Europe, sales decreased by 34.2% to €26.7m, while emerging markets saw a decline of 13.7% to €11.3m. Finally, the ‘rest of the world’ segment fell by 14.2% to €11.8m.
In terms of the net financial result, Natuzzi reported a loss of €0.8m for the second quarter, in contrast to a €1.4m loss during the same period in 2022.
WWF joins forces with Leather Working Group and Textile Exchange to spearhead deforestation-
free initiative In a major development for the Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has assumed a new role as a partner in collaboration with the Leather Working Group and Textile Exchange. This partnership entails close cooperation with signatories to formulate strategies for establishing supply chains that are free from deforestation and conversion. WWF’s involvement will encompass the provision of expert guidance, facilitation of collaborative endeavours, and support in helping signatories establish achievable goals aimed at eradicating deforestation and the conversion of natural ecosystems linked to cattle farming.
The Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather represents a collaborative effort spanning multiple sectors. Its primary objective is to encourage brands and retailers to commit to sourcing all their bovine leather from supply chains that are free from deforestation by 2030, if not sooner. This initiative furnishes an extensive roadmap for brands to adhere to, ensuring that their sourcing practices align with deforestation and conversion- free supply chains. Additionally, it offers practical tools and guidance to assist these entities on their journey towards achieving this goal.
WWF has played an active role as a participant within the NGO advisory group, collaborating with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFi). WWF’s involvement has been instrumental in providing valuable input into the development of the workplan and tools associated with this initiative.
Leather International /
www.leathermag.com
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