Leather color somber, but spirits bright at Showtime
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, January 13, 2002
HIGH POINT — Leather upholstery suppliers and manufacturers gathered at Showtime here last week, spurred by stabilization and even some decreases in pricing, were encouraged about future business.
The leather colorations may have been a bit more somber in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 devastation, but the shopping atmosphere was bright.
As the demand for leather continues unabated at all price levels, Bob Wilson, president of supplier Anthem Leather, said, "A lot of our accounts have promoted leather to keep business propped up, and it has pulled up the rest of their business. Those retail fall promotions have kept our business growing."
"The Italians continue to drive pricing in order to draw business," Wilson said, but he expected price stabilization to remain intact through the end of the year.
Jim Richardson, senior vice president of marketing for upholstery manufacturer Flexsteel, acknowledged Italian pricing has dipped somewhat. "There has been some softening in Italy, while Argentina is still to be determined."
Prices are dropping, agreed Joelle Young of Leather Services America. "It's due to supply and demand. A lot of people are switching to cut-and-sew."
Luke Reed, sales director for Americraft Leather which operates tanneries in Mexico, noted, "Leather prices have gone down in Europe and in South America but have been offset slightly by increases in shipping costs, fuel surcharges and security restrictions related to terrorism."
At Arpel Leather, President Luis Moreno, said, "We are bouncing back from the recession with this show."
Added Joey Hitzig, Arpel sales, "Business seems to be on the upswing."
Suppliers Leather Miracles and Tiger Imports were gaining attention with new tannages developed in China and Italy, respectively.
Both Tony Nokiani of Italian Leather USA and Steve Ijadi of Leather Trends (Zini), said their manufacturing accounts are attempting to step-up their pricing, while Alan Naness, president of leather importer Design Resources, said customers were interested in innovation across the board.
"People here are not window shopping. They are serious," said Diego Beverstein, sales manager for supplier Fonseca USA, who added he expected business to pick up in the second quarter.
Peter Robinson, president of LeatherTrend, and Gary Zuckerman, Jaymar's vice president of sales and marketing for the United States also predicted a business upturn this year.
Italian Trading Group, an importer established in August, marked its U.S. debut with this show.
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| Luis Moreno, president of Arpel Leather, with hand-rubbed leather sporting an architectural design. |
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