Press Releases and Latest Industry Information
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 9th February 2021
LHCA yesterday kicked off its 2o21 International Student Design Competition to celebrate the beauty, versatility and sustainability of real leather. The competition builds on the success of ongoing contests in Taiwan, China, Italy and the United Kingdom. Also, LHCA continues to monitor shipping logistics challenges affecting U.S. hides, skins and leather exports, in particular, and U.S. agriculture exports, more broadly. Plus, 2020 year-end hides and skins export data was published, with important corrections made to volume figures for certain hide product exports. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 2nd February 2021
As the Biden Administration works to set its agenda for the next few years, LHCA remains at the forefront of policy discussions in Washington impacting the U.S. hide, skin and leather industry. In recent days, LHCA has sent letters supporting multiple nominations for key Cabinet posts with jurisdiction over hides, skins and leather, including President Biden's picks for Agriculture Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative. Also, LHCA continues to monitor shipping logistics challenges affecting U.S. hides, skins and leather exports, in particular, and U.S. agriculture exports, more broadly. Plus, LHCA's Real Leather. Stay Different. Global Student Design Competition is entering its dynamic final stages in Italy, after COVID-related disruptions caused a months-long delay in the contest. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 26th January 2021
The new year is off to a busy and exciting start, as LHCA recently launched its 2021 International Student Design Competition, which builds on the success of 2020 contests in mainland China, Taiwan, Italy and the United Kingdom. This year's competition will engage students in additional countries and offers exceptional professional development opportunities for aspiring designers. Also, LHCA joined a diverse coalition of food and agriculture associations in calling for the swift Senate confirmation of Tom Vilsack to serve as secretary of agriculture. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 19th January 2021
LHCA last week successfully launched a new, free webinar series with a discussion about Mindhive, which deploys solutions that bring greater efficiency and transparency to operational processes at tanneries, and Leather Naturally's METCHA digital marketing campaign, which aims to promote leather's beauty to younger generations. Also, LHCA's Real Leather. Stay Different. global student design competition has picked up steam in China, as the contest enters its final stages. Plus, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative decided not to recommend specific actions against imports from Vietnam, despite conceding the country's currency practices hinder U.S. commerce. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 12th January 2021
This week, LHCA will launch a new, free webinar series on Thursday, January 14, with a discussion about Mindhive, which deploys solutions that bring greater efficiency and transparency to operational processes at tanneries, and Leather Naturally's METCHA digital marketing campaign, which aims to promote leather's beauty to younger generations. There's still time to reserve your spot today -- you won't want to miss this webinar. Also, LHCA recently published an article affirming the status of a hide, and the resulting leather, as a byproduct of meat and dairy production. Plus, the latest monthly trade data is now available. read more
Hide Economics: Leather’s Status as a Byproduct
Monday, 11th January 2021
In recent months, there have been multiple articles in popular media outlets touching on leather’s status as a byproduct of meat or dairy production. The articles typically tout some new alternative material to leather and mostly appear in lifestyle and fashion media news outlets that generally do not cover agricultural industries or issues. Nearly all of the articles share similar, incorrect statements or quotes about leather’s status as a byproduct claiming, for example, “some people dispute that leather is a pure byproduct of meat and dairy production,” or that the hide is not a byproduct because the price of the hide or leather is “baked into the overall value of the animal.” A careful consideration of the facts, however, regarding the economics of cattle and beef production clearly demonstrates that these quotes and statements have no factual merit. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 5th January 2021
Happy New Year! LHCA hopes you had a joyous, healthy, and safe holiday, and wishes you all the best in the year ahead. LHCA President Stephen Sothmann recently sent a letter to members detailing the Association's achievements in 2020. Also, on January 14, LHCA will launch its new, free webinar series with a discussion about Mindhive, which deploys solutions that bring greater efficiency and transparency to operational processes at tanneries, and Leather Naturally's METCHA digital marketing campaign, which aims to promote leather's beauty to younger generations and is aligned with LHCA's global marketing activities. Plus, China announced lower import tariffs for certain hide, leather and leather processing chemical products. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 22nd December 2020
With the holiday season upon us, Real Leather. Stay Different. contributor and renowned stylist Mike Adler provides some leather gift ideas and fashion inspiration in his latest blog post. Plus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted key agricultural trade achievements in 2020, and the U.S. government secured funding through fiscal year 2021. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 15th December 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this situation. President-elect Joe Biden has announced his nominations for U.S. Agriculture Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative -- key positions with domestic oversight responsibilities and international trade implications for the U.S. hide, skin and leather industry. Also, USDA is hosting a virtual meeting this week to discuss weekly export sales reporting at the end of the 2020 marketing year. Plus, the latest Leather Loves blog post, by fashion stylist Mike Adler, provides some much needed wardrobe inspiration this holiday season. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 8th December 2020
The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this situation. APLF announced it will convene exhibitors and buyers for a virtual exhibition, slated to take place in late January 2021, that will focus on key leather markets. LHCA is seeking member input regarding the association's participation in this event. The virtual exhibit will not replace the APLF Leather and Materials + show, which is scheduled to be held in July 2021 in Hong Kong. Also, LHCA joined other agricultural organizations and businesses in calling on the incoming Biden Administration to review ongoing U.S. trade disputes and to address current tariff policies that are impeding America's economic recovery. read more