Shanghai Baoye Construction and Engineering Company built the SRL plant and supporting facilities on the 75-acre Richina site. The factory was designed and built to include wet-blue and wet-white capabilities, as well as lime fleshing and lime splitting. Construction began in April 2010. Production trials will begin in January with full production anticipated for April 2011.

Robert Liu, who oversaw the SRL Fuxin project, said ‘The Richina and SRL planning and construction teams received tremendous support from the Fuxin government, and their economic development commission.’ He personally thanked Vice Mayor Ma Rujun for their untiring support to the SRL project.

Fuxin Mayor Pan Guoli said, ‘Richina Fuxin’s official start-up has further speeded up our efforts and given us increasing confidence to build the most modern and advanced leather industry base in China. With the completion of Fuxin Leather Industry Base, more and more international companies will move in, definitely making Fuxin Leather Industrial Base the center of advanced and high-tech leather enterprises.’

Richard Yan, Managing Director of Richina, Inc. parent company of Shanghai Richina Leather said, ‘With the capability to produce wet-blue and wet-white, SRL has the opportunity to capitalise on the growing China based economy including its automotive and footwear industries. Vertical integration from wet-blue to finished leather is part of SRL’s formula for success.’

The Fuxin project allows Shanghai Richina to broaden the value of its leather supply chain. According to Bob Moore, President and CEO of SRL, ‘We have a long experience producing premium wet-blue, and our experienced team is now very pleased and excited to inaugurate this new SRL plant in the Fuxin leather-making zone.’

SRL are headquartered in Shanghai, China and produces premium auto, footwear and accessories leathers for leading global brands. SRL is BLC Silver certified, and ISO 9001, 14001 and TS 16949 rated.

A formal SRL Fuxin grand opening ceremony is being planned for Spring 2011.