Tanneries and leather product manufacturers recently formed a new association called Tanners Footwear Leather Manufacturers of Zimbabwe (TAFLZ) with a view to effectively lobby government to enact policies aimed at growing the sector. The association’s chairperson is Arnold Britten and his deputy is Stuart Simali. Both spoke to The Standard on issues affecting the sector. Arnold Britten commented that previously, as an industry existed the Leather and Allied Industries Federation of Zimbabwe, which represented all the manufacturers in Zimbabwe. But over the years because of many issues, it fell away and the industry lost its representation. As a result, “we needed to reform the association but under a new banner, to have a new beginning for the industry under different terms and constitutional value of the association.” “So that led to the formation of TAFLZ. Generally, the mandate is to represent the industry: that is large scale manufacturers as well as small to medium enterprises.” There are currently 30 members from across the country but the leather industry is struggling because it relies a lot on imported goods. Most raw materials, shoelaces, soles, chemicals for tanning are imported. This foreign currency situation makes it very difficult for the industry to operate. This has led to many companies working and stopping and this has led to a lot of them going under judicial management. Locally manufactured shoes are expensive. It is not because industry is overpricing, but because inputs are expensive. Costs are high because of the reliance on imports which affects production. The main problem encountered is low quality material and how to extract value from it. This is the main challenge facing the sector. Thus, industry is in a very difficult state but by coming together under the new banner of TAFLZ it is hoped that some of the problems can be solved including power cuts that limit production and make planning complicated. Many companies need retooling to increase efficiency but to do that we need access to foreign currency and it is difficult to put a figure on the investment needed. With increased efficiency there will be more production and hence more employment surpassing the 1,100 already working in the sector. Currently, TALFZ is working on a leather recovery strategy as a whole value chain. This will be released in December or January. Another aim is to change that mentality towards other people in the industry and see them as partners rather than competitors so that they can work together and move the industry forward.
