The Booming Leather Industry
Leather enriches our lives in numerous pleasant ways. The belts and shoes that we wear and the wallets and purses that we carry are made of leather. In the developed countries, almost all of which are located in the frigid North, leather jackets, trousers and suits have long become a status symbol and so are the leather upholstered furniture and lavish interiors available only in top-of-the-line luxury cars.
Leather has long outgrown its practical purposes and today is regarded more as a luxury than a necessity, particularly in the affluent West. This transformation has been made possible primarily due to the induction of state-of-the-art treatment and tanning technologies to give leather a never-before-possible thickness, unlimited colour variations, luxurious feel and silky touch. This has also turned leather into as comfortable a material to work with as any other fabric for any or all of the uses mentioned above.
Indian leather Industry occupies a place of prominence in Indian economy. The sector has massive potential for growth since India leads in the availability of raw materials and also the use of leather is gaining prominence in many sectors and its vast potential for exports. The availability of cheap labour is another factor which is in its favour.
Leather industry also occupies a place of prominence in view of its massive potential for employment, growth and exports. There has been increasing emphasis on its planned development, aimed at optimum utilisation of available raw materials for maximising the returns, particularly from exports.
Leather technology in recent times is fast emerging as a lucrative career option. Until a few years ago, those who happened to be in the industry were there through experience rather than through any formal training. But now, in India, scores of institutes are offering certificate as well as diploma courses in designing as well as production, adding a much needed professionalism to this industry.
MARKET
The Indian leather industry is growing by leaps and bounds. One must be wondering why is India exporting so much of leather to western countries. Apparently because leatherwear still enjoys a great demand abroad and of late even the domestic market is developing and consuming the offerings of this industry.
To many, it would also be a surprise to know that the Indian leather industry is the fourth largest export earner in the country. One can only imagine what shape this industry will take on further maturing.
There has been increasing emphasis on the planned development of the leather and footwear industry aimed at optimum utilization of available raw materials for maximizing the returns, particularly from exports. The exports of leather and leather products gained momentum during the past decades. The exports from leather sector constitute 7% in country's export basket. With the scientific advancement in footwear technology and modernization of techniques, this industry now requires managerial and supervisory staff and designers, all of a high caliber to optimize and upgrade our productions to meet international standards. There is an ever-increasing demand for these trained personnel.
LEATHER FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY
The footwear industry is a significant segment of the leather industry in India. India ranks second among the footwear producing countries next to China. The industry is labour intensive and is concentrated in the small and cottage industry sectors. While leather shoes and uppers are concentrated in large scale units, the sandals and chappals are produced in the household and cottage sector.
India produces more of gents' footwear while the world's major production is in ladies footwear. In the case of chappals and sandals, use of non-leather material is prevalent in the domestic market. The major production centers in India are Chennai, Ranipet, Ambur in Tamil Nadu. Mumbai in Maharashtra, Kanpur in U.P., Jalandhar in Punjab, Agra and Delhi.
Shoes manufactured in India with various brand names play a lead role in the global trade. The Indian leather industry is focusing on key deliverables of innovative design, consistently superior quality and unfailing delivery schedules. India in itself has a huge domestic market, which is largely untapped. The Indian footwear industry is provided with institutional infrastructure support through premier institutions like Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, Footwear Design & Development Institute, Noida, National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, etc. in the areas of technological development, design and product development and human resource development.
| Name of Institute |
Address and E-mail |
| Council for Leather Exports (CLE) |
Leather Centre, 53 Raja Muthiah Road Periamet, Chennai- 600 003 Email: cle@giasmd01.vsnl.net.in |
| Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) |
A-10/A, Sector-24 Noida-201 301 Email: fddi@del2.vsnl.net.in |
| Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI) |
Agra: 41-42 Industrial Area, Site C, Sikandra Agra - 282002 (U.P) E-mail cftiagra@usa.net Chennai: 65/1 GST Road, Guindy, Chennai-600032 Email: cfti@md5.vsnl.net.in |
Indian foot wear Industry has to go miles to achieve its objective of making Indian footwear number one in the world. But certain steps if taken can naturally increase its pace of development.
The availability of abundant raw material base, large domestic market and the opportunity to cater to world markets makes India an attractive destination for technology and investments.