BLC not subject to litigation

Date:22nd July 2010
It should be noted that BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd is not subject to the litigation action brought by Argos Insurers against Leather Trade House Ltd recently reported in the media.>

BLC not subject to litigation

Trader punished for misdescription of garments

Date:22nd July 2010
Trading Standards have recently prosecuted a trader selling fake garments, which were made of synthetic materials and labelled 'real leather'. The retailer concerned received a 28 day custodial sentence. When purchasing a leather garment, bag or other item described as leather, look for the leathermark which indicates that it is in fact genuine leather. For further information about the leathermark visit www.blcleathertech.com or contact info@blcleathertech.com>

Trader punished for misdescription of garments

Footwear, bags and belts - Proposition 65 settlement announced

Date:21st July 2010

Footwear, bags and belts - Proposition 65 settlement announced

New BLC website

Date:10th June 2010
www.blcleathertech.com has been given a makeover. Some areas are still being developed, but you can access information about all the BLC services, including testing, training, technology and consulting, information and support, LWG audits and much more.>

New BLC website

New Leather Working Group website launched

Date:10th June 2010
As the LWG continues to grow in size and momentum there is a need for a dedicated facility for members and non-members to source information and access documentation. A new website - www.leatherworkinggroup.com - is now up and running. Some areas are still being developed, but information about the LWG, medal-rated tanneries and the environmental auditing protocol is available.>

New Leather Working Group website launched

Strong demand for BLC training in Hong Kong

Date:10th June 2010

A series of leather training courses run by BLC and sponsored by APLF Ltd in Hong Kong at the end of May achieved a combined attendance of 62 delegates from the global leather supply chain, including representatives from leather product manufacturers, retailers, import export companies and tanners.

Strong demand for BLC training in Hong Kong

James Skinner joins BLC testing team

Date:10th June 2010

James recently joined the testing team at BLC as an analytical chemist.

James Skinner joins BLC testing team

New Sponsor and Major Footwear Brands on Board for Eco Trends Conference

Date:28th January 2010
We are pleased to have Lanxess, the speciality chemicals company, as our main sponsor for the 'Eco Trends in leather' conference. Representatives from footwear giants Nike and Adidas will also be speaking, as will the National Wildlife Federation and PrimeAsia, the gold rated tannery.

New Sponsor and Major Footwear Brands on Board for Eco Trends Conference

Eco Trends in Leather Conference

Date:5th January 2010
This half day international conference will take place during the APLF in Hong Kong, Tuesday 30th March 2010 (pm).

Eco Trends in Leather Conference

Anti Dumping Duty Extended for Further Fifteen Months

Date:23rd December 2009
European Union ministers made the final decision to extend anti dumping duties on Vietnamese and Chinese footwear for fifteen months on Dec 22.

Anti Dumping Duty Extended for Further Fifteen Months

BLC/ Nike Conference

Date:11th December 2009

Over 140 delegates attended the RSL in leather conference co-hosted by BLC and Nike. The conference presented a mix of information on RSL, their causes, the risks and how they can enter the leather supply chain. BLC technologists discussed how to prevent and correct RSL failures within the leather manufacturing facility.

BLC/ Nike Conference

Anti-Dumping Duty Tax - Update

Date:1st December 2009
The latest information suggests that the anti-dumping duty tax situation may not be as straightforward as had been hoped. An initial vote was in favour of discontinuing the ADD. However, according to sources, the European Commission is planning to raise the issue for further discussion and potential voting on 5 separate dates in December.

Anti-Dumping Duty Tax - Update

BLC Leather Technologist awarded MSc

Date:30th November 2009
Jarryl DâOyley, BLCâs Leather Technologist, has recently passed the MSc Leather Technology from the British School of Leather Technology. This degree is based on both the theoretical chemistry behind leather production as well as the required practical skills. Beyond this it teaches about environmental controls, waste management and marrying theoretical science with applications in the tannery. Jarryl will graduate in February of next year.

BLC Leather Technologist awarded MSc

Leather International Magazine annouces Top 20 Tanners

Date:26th November 2009

Leather International Magazine announces Top 20 tanners- Power List 2009

Leather International Magazine annouces Top 20 Tanners

Extension of anti-dumping duties quashed by EU vote

Date:26th November 2009

The EU has voted against the extension of anti-dumping duties on footwear sourced from China and Vietnam.

Extension of anti-dumping duties quashed by EU vote

Malaysian Training

Date:26th November 2009

Malaysian government choose BLC to provide leather training on species types and material identification plus education and training on restricted substance testing and analysis for leather and footwear. The Malaysian delegates will spend two weeks on site at BLC in Northampton.

Malaysian Training

Media specialist joins BLC

Date:26th November 2009

BLC has recently appointed Sinead Miller to assist with promotion and media support. Sinead has several years' experience of marketing services, most recently working for a recruitment company. She will be focusing on website development, press, publications and a variety of media support.

Media specialist joins BLC

Media specialist joins BLC

Date:25th November 2009

Malaysian training

Date:25th November 2009
Malaysian government choose BLC to provide leather training on species types and material identification plus education and training on restricted substance testing and analysis for leather and footwear. The Malaysian delegates will spend two weeks on site at BLC in Northampton.

Malaysian training

Extension of anti-dumping duties quashed by EU vote

Date:25th November 2009
The EU has voted against the extension of anti-dumping duties on footwear sourced from China and Vietnam.

The vote, cast on 19th November, is seen as a major victory for UK retailers and suppliers, who - as a result of tariffs imposed by the EU - have been paying out over £330m a year extra for leather shoes sourced from Vietnam and China.

According to a source, 15 EU member states voted against the proposed extension of the measures, ten voted in favour and two abstained from voting.

”This is a major setback for the Commission and a great success for the FTA,” said Jan Eggert, secretary general of the Foreign Trade Association. “The Commission has been determined from the very beginning to see these duties continue, despite the negative impact they have had on our members, and we have worked hard to achieve today’s result.”

The issue will now go to the Member States Council for the final vote, anticipated to take place around December 20.

EU figures show that the duties typically add £1.60 to the cost of a pair of imported leather shoes.

Extension of anti-dumping duties quashed by EU vote

Leather International Magazine annouces Top 20 Tanners

Date:9th October 2009

Leather International Magazine annouces Top 20 Tanners

The All China Leather Exhibition 2009

Date:7th October 2009
The All China Leather Exhibition Fair (

The All China Leather Exhibition 2009

BLC welcomes CICB

Date:7th October 2009

On September 21, 2009 the Centro das Indústrias de Curtumes do Brazil (CICB) visited the BLC offices in the UK. Executive Director Wolfgang Goerlich personally attended, aiming to build and develop a strong relation between the two companies.

Amongst the wide variety of topics deliberated at the meeting, one of the major discussions was the issue of deforestation in Brazil and the newly formed Hide Working Group (HWG).

BLC and the CICB identified one major areas of co-operation to be working towards the provision of specialist restricted substances and chemical support.

BLC welcomes CICB

Boston and Hong Kong Training Courses September 2009

Date:5th October 2009
Boston

Boston and Hong Kong Training Courses September 2009

Simon Paver joins BLC

Date:24th July 2009

Simon Paver has joined the BLC technical services team as Chemical Support & Regulatory Advisor. Simon, who graduated from The University of the West of England, Bristol in 2005, obtained a first class honours degree in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry with a final-year project focusing on the synthesis and analysis of complex antimicrobials.

Before joining BLC, Simon spent 3 years at AstraZeneca, Loughborough working as an analytical chemist in the R&D department. During this time he gained experience in a wide variety of analytical techniques, many of which are pertinent to BLC’s activities.

Simon looks forward to utilising his analytical background and enthusiasm for problem solving and method development to expand and improve BLC’s testing capability, whilst delivering support on the key issues facing customers within the leather industry.

Simon Paver joins BLC

BLC News Articles