More to do in Shanghai
Published: 31st May 2017
ACLE coincides with World Leather Congress
Shanghai, China - The 20th edition of the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) (August 30-September 1) will be preceded on August 29 by the 3rd World Leather Congress (WLC), also in Shanghai, themed 'The Leather Revolution'.
These 2 major events are the most important to be organised in China in recent decades and each one should complement the other in terms of both attendance and interest, especially as there are now clear signs that China’s leather industry is performing much better than in recent years. The proximity of the 3rd WLC and ACLE offer an opportunity for the global leather sector to participate at both.
Just months ago the 33rd edition of APLF culminated on a successful note in Hong Kong reflecting the emergence of the leather sector from the slowdown noted since September 2014 when high prices effectively priced leather out of the footwear manufacturing sector as producers turned to cheaper synthetics to maintain profit margins.
On April 12 the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) published an encouraging report on the first 2 months' activity of the sector in China:
“...in the first two month of 2017, the industry saw a 5.6% increase in sales revenue, 1.1% decline in exports and a 10% increase in imports, particularly for imports of finished leather, semi-finished leather and raw hides and skins. This increase in imports will benefit the world leather industry.”
Since then China’s economic growth has rebounded back up to 6.9% in Q1 beating expectation and consumer spending continues to increase at a pace of just over 10% – far outstripping any other major economy in the world.
The recent speech by China’s President Xi outlining a major infrastructure Belt & Road project worth tens of billions of dollars to boost trade – also known as the New Silk Road – with its main trading partners in Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond is being taken on board by investors.
Globally it is the automotive and furniture upholstery sectors that are maintaining and even boosting demand for leather with China’s automotive sector due to approach 30 million units sold this year for the first time of any country in history.
This year, despite increasing demand, there is little likelihood that leather prices will move sharply higher as they did in 2014. There is an abundance of bovine hides in the US due to slaughter rates topping over 600 000 per week. In fact, since the APLF fair ended in Hong Kong on 31 March, prices have softened which is not a bad thing from a manufacturing and demand point of view as leather is more competitive.
This year’s seminar schedule will be published soon on the ACLE website and publicised in the APLF e-Newsletter. Sales for ACLE 2017 are currently in full swing and so far 80% of available space in the eight halls used has been sold. The fair covers 92 000 m², including a new national pavilion from Uganda.
New Innovation Lab Sector launched
After the successful revamp of APLF’s materials and components sector as Materials+ at the APLF fair last March, a decision has been taken to launch a similar sector at ACLE 2017 called “Innovations Lab”. Innovation Lab @ACLE is an incubator of innovative ideas. It will be located in Hall E2 where more activities such as the open seminars will also be held.
The participants in Innovation Lab will be manufacturers of innovative products or with technological innovation on machines, materials and components that are completely new to ACLE or existing manufacturers that wish to display the latest working machines for the first time at the show this year.
This year the organisers will focus on recruiting buyers and decision makers from the automotive and furniture sectors that are based in the major manufacturing provinces of Mainland China such Chongqing, Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing and Jilin.
This year the organisers have provided each exhibitor with an online showroom. This is an online sourcing platform where exhibitors can display their company description and product information. This online portal receives more than 130,000 page views per month, allows visitors to make enquiries online and get in touch with exhibitors on a 24/7 basis.
Last year's ACLE attracted more than 23 000 visitors, with almost 20 000 from China. - [www.aclechina.com]
Footwear Industry Articles
- Back to Amazon, up with prices — is Nike’s comeback plan enough?Nike has now reported its fourth straight quarter of declining year-over-year sales. To stop the slide, it’s making two major moves — selling directly on Amazon again and raising prices on select products. These strategies may offer a short-term lift, but deeper challenges remain.Returning to Amazon connects Nike to over 230 m ...moreA ‘mouse’, who was in every way outsized - Obituary: Tony Jelinski – Everflex Manufacturing (19/10/1945-16/03/2025)Tony Jelinski – who was also known as Mighty Mouse and whose personality, friendships and business acumen were a lot bigger than the biggest mouse you have ever seen.Due to my age of 84, I am the dinosaur of the partners of the PMC Group, of which Everflex, Tony’s sphere, was such a big part.I was responsible for getting Tony ...moreU.S. footwear industry unites again to oppose crushing tariffsOn 29 April 2025, more than 70 major footwear companies — including Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Puma, and Crocs — signed a joint letter to President Donald Trump, urgently requesting that footwear be removed from the list of products subject to new reciprocal tariffs. These companies warned that the added tariff burden poses a ser ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- European Commission Confirms Country Risk Classification in preparation for EUDRAhead of the legal deadline of 30th June 2025, the European Commission has adopted the Implementing Act on the Country Benchmarking System under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), effective from 22nd May 2025. This regulatory step is a pivotal development in the EU’s ongoing environmental strategy, aiming to curb deforestation linked to commodity imports. ...moreCan incoming legislation bring opportunities for Africa?As global markets adopt stricter environmental, human rights and ethical regulations—particularly in the European Union—the African leather industry faces a pivotal moment. While new legislation around sustainability, traceability, and labour rights introduces compliance challenges, it also opens doors for African producers to access higher-value international markets. ...more‘Real Leather. Stay different.’ chooses Taipei to host 2025 international finalThe Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA) has selected Taipei, Taiwan, as the host city for the 5th annual Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) international student design competition final, scheduled for 27-28 October 2025.Following events in London and Milan, the competition now underscores Asia's rising prominence as a hub for ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- SGS to host 'Discovering PPE softlines solutions’ on 27 MarchGeneva, Switzerland – Testing, inspection and certification company SGS is hosting a complimentary webinar, ‘Discovering PPE softlines solutions’, on 27 March 2025.The global market for personal protective equipment (PPE) is expanding, but it is also becoming more regulated. Businesses looking to ensure product complianc ...moreBeier Group, Department of Higher Education and SETA ‘better together’Pinetown, KZN, SA – The Beier Group, which includes the BBF Safety Group, in December hosted the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) and the FP&M SETA for an oversight visit to ensure that state funds are being used in accordance with the Sectoral Skills Plan.DHET deputy minister Dr Mimmy Martha Gondwe and SETA ...moreLengthy detentions: That’s just the way it is, says NCCS&V Protect asked the National Consumer Commission to comment on Treadsafe’s experience, and also whether other containers have been detained. Jabu Mbeje, Divisional Head: Enforcement & Legal Services, at the NCC, sent this response: ...more
© S&V Publications