The leather industry in the United States tans and finishes leather. Earnings exceed 3 billion dollars per year, according to ReferenceforBusiness.com. Competition from developing countries has had a negative impact on domestic companies.
Domestic Market
The domestic market consists mostly of casual shoes and auto upholstery. Most of the leather used is cow hide, about 95 percent. Specialty leathers, such as goat, lamb, pig, deer, and reptiles, account for the rest.
Companies
Since the 1980s, consolidation in the industry has resulted in fewer smaller companies. Large private companies make up most of the industry. Most are located in New York state, which is home to 72 companies.
Workforce
Leather workers are unionized. There are more than 15,000 employees employed in tanning and finishing. The majority of them work in production, while others are involved in chemistry and environmental management. The industry is heavily mechanized, dependent on the use of chemicals, and its disposal of chemical waste is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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