Driven by a wind of recovery, writes Les Echos, the “cuir” sector saw its exports grow by 24% last year and by 9% compared to 2019. Many challenges will have to be faced, including training and recruitment. 2021 marked a clear recovery, particularly in exports. These have increased by 24% compared to 2020, a year strongly marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. And they are also up 9% compared to 2019.
This movement benefited the entire sector, from raw leather (+44%) to leather goods (+30%), including tanning (+17%) and footwear (+14%). “This progression allows most sectors of the field to recover pre-crisis performances,” said Frank Boehly, president of the National Leather Council during the January 25 conference.
This recovery was accompanied by an improvement in the sector’s balance of payments. “After the coverage rate first turned positive in 2019 with 116%, it rose to 121% in 2020 (imports +14%, exports +24%) and 132% in 2021 (imports -3%, exports +9%),” added FrankBoehly.
Training and innovations for 2022
At the same time, all the speakers present stressed the need for training for the sustainability of the sector. Edgard Schaffhauser, Executive Chairman of the French Federation of Leather Goods (FFM), confirmed that “employment and training are two essential issues. To meet the growing demand for leather goods and maintain this fast pace, brands have opened new production units. However, despite the aura of French leather goods and its international influence, 3,000 skilled workers are demanded each year that companies struggle to find them.” It also deplores the “initial training offered (...) not always adequate to the current demand of enterprises”.
In addition, despite the traditional appearance of the leather industry, the need for innovation was raised. “The digital transition and digitalization have become great challenges for all companies in the sector”. Since they are not always within everyone’s reach, “the sector is mobilizing to help businesses find the necessary financing”. Clémentine Colin Richard, president of the French Footwear Federation (FFC), gave the example of its support service for medium and long-term financing solutions “Financer la Chaussure”, as well as its co-financing with the National Leather Council (CNC) of a guarantee and loan fund (IFCIC) to “support brands in relaunching their activities by encouraging digital investments”.
