Key points:
* The Indian leather industry is estimated to double its global market share in the next five years
* The importance of the Indian industry as a foreign currency earner to the Indian Government has been recognised with an investment programme for financial assistance to the tanneries to modernise to ensure future volume growth to the highest of international standards
* Continuing and growing trend for joint ventures in India with European Tanneries
To strengthen Clariant’s position in India, the company combined the skills of three companies under one roof by forming Clariant India International from April 2006. The three integral parts of Clariants’ Leather Chemicals business Clariant Chemicals, BTP (from the acquisition of BTP leather business Hodgson and Yorkshire) and Color-Chem (significant business both within the wet chemicals and finishing sectors) were brought under one management structure giving a clear focus under the strategy of ‘One Clariant approach’. This will reinforce Clariant’s position as a significant player in the speciality chemicals industry in India.
This ‘One Clariant approach’ leads their strategy in all aspects of the business management, both commercial and technical. The consolidation of these three companies has brought together a wealth of personnel experience across our business in India.’
According to Clariant, the ‘One Clariant approach’ is a golden thread running through their business management. Since April last year they have consolidated their commercial management, marketing, product management and technical teams to offer all customers a product portfolio second to none in assisting them to give the customer what he needs to meet the challenges of the leather manufacturing business in the 21st century.
Clariant’s strategy for the Indian market mirrors the confidence shown by the Indian Government and will ensure that Clariant continue to be a leading supplier to the industry in the next few years and will also increase their market share.
The Clariant approach is given clear focus:
‘Increased investment in our people, production facilities and technical service centres.’
1) Production facilities at three dedicated production facilities for the enhancement of capacity and product range growth: Roha; Kolshet and Kanchipuram. Clariant say they offer a truly global position for their individual products to the highest environmental and quality assurance standards you will find anywhere.
2) Technical service – substantial upgrades of their facilities has been carried out in all their regional technical service centres bringing all three parts of Clariant leather under one roof. Clariant Technical Service Centres are located in the South, Chennai, Vanijambadi, Ranipet/East, Kolkata/North, Kanpur region servicing the complete range of their products with each TS centre fully equipped to give a complete service on all leather application techniques for both wet end and finishing chemicals.
Added to this, they say, their ‘excellent dealer network facilities re-emphasise this commitment across the market’.
3) People – ‘Clariant’s most important resource are our people
‘Clariants’ pedigree in India goes back over 50 years. Our success has been due to our people and Clariant ensure their skills are continually upgraded to meet ever changing customer requirements.
‘Technical training on the latest leather processing innovations and a constant review of the business management practices are carried out both from within the market and at our central facilities in Switzerland/Basel and Germany/ Leinfelden. This ensures our people are given the best training and opportunity to assist our customer base.
‘It is clear that the future of the leather manufacturing industry will involve an integration of ideas of the chemical supplier, the leather producer and the retail sector for the produced leather. The One Clariant approach gives our customers and our customers’ customer assistance in producing leather to meet the demands of the future.
‘Recent work carried out between our own international Clariant fashion group and fashion consultants produced colour prediction and trends for autumn-winter 07/08 and spring-summer 2008 which was well in advance of the corresponding season. In a business where timing is everything our customers are already reaping the rewards of ‘One Clariant’.
‘Clariant have always responded to our customers’ needs with the leather manufacturing business not only in India but in the leather world. We have striven to constantly improve our position throughout our history. The ‘One Clariant’ concept will ensure Clariant is able to respond to the growing position of India in the global leather market.’