US industry bodies planning to merge
At their joint annual meeting, the US Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) and Leather Industries of America (LIA) have agreed to seek a merger
Two US leather industry bodies announced their plans to merge to form one organisation. At their joint annual meeting, the US Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) and Leather Industries of America (LIA) have agreed to “seek a merger” prompted by “overlapping membership, increasing alignment of purpose and interests and a strong desire to secure the future of the hide, skin and leather industries in the US”.
A final decision will depend on the approval by the members of each organisation. It is expected that once the merger is concluded, USHLA’s President, Stephen Sothmann, becomes Chief Executive of the newly combined entity. John Wittenborn, current president of LIA, should retire by the end of 2019.
Each organisation elected a new chairman at the meeting, with USHSLA choosing Jay Jensen of Southwest Hide Company, and LIA electing Bob Hawley of SB Foot Tanning Company.
USHSLA's representatives commented saying this combination of efforts "will position the new entity to be the premier voice of the entire leather supply chain, both in the US and abroad.”
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