Hunter Tait, managing director of Tasman Tanning based in Wanganui, New Zealand, was upbeat about market conditions as a new NZ$5 million (US$3.7million) tannery went online late in February. At the same time the company welcomed a delegation from the US where Tasman say they are making significant inroads.
The company, which have seen production double in the last three years and staffing increase from 240 to 260, have invested heavily in Hüni drums and Challenge Cook processors for the new production facility.
‘There is a very strong demand for aniline type leathers. We have to direct ourselves out of corrected-grain leathers’, said Mr Tait.
‘New Zealand hides offer great grain quality for climatic reasons and we have put a huge effort into the American market. The USA is an emerging market and that is very exciting at the present time.’
