The Global Leather Alliance (GLA) aims to position itself as a new international voice for the future of leather. The Brussels-based non-profit organisation was officially founded on 16 September 2026 during the Lineapelle trade fair in Milan. Its stated aim is to work globally to ‘protect, promote and further develop’ the future of leather.
Regional working groups form a key component of this strategy. The first meeting is scheduled to take place in November, and the GLA intends to send out invitations shortly. The organisation has not yet announced where the meeting will be held. Regional representation is crucial, it says, to reflect the diverse requirements of the international leather industry. “Each region has its own way of reaching people in our global community,” explained Chairman Marc Smit at the launch.
With this initiative, the GLA is responding to the growing challenges facing the leather industry. These include, amongst other things, declining demand, misinformation about leather and increasing regulatory pressure. Many of these issues can no longer be resolved at national level alone. The Alliance therefore aims to strengthen links between companies, associations and other stakeholders and to pool resources on an international scale.
The GLA does not see itself as competing with existing industry associations. Rather, it aims to complement their work, bring together regional and international initiatives, and put successful projects on a broader footing. The organisation’s work is based on the four pillars of ‘Unite, Fund, Empower, Protect’.
Another key focus is on funding joint activities. Membership fees are to be used, amongst other things, for market studies, scientific projects and communication initiatives, whilst also serving as a basis for mobilising additional public and private funding for the leather industry. Members are to have a say in decisions regarding projects and the allocation of funds.
The Alliance also aims to provide a stronger scientific basis for communication about leather. The focus here is, amongst other things, on the material’s durability, longevity, performance and environmental aspects. The GLA emphasises that it does not wish to position itself against synthetic materials. Rather, the aim is to provide reliable information about leather and to strengthen its reputation in the long term.
Since its launch in Milan, Executive Director Jim Deheer has been actively presenting the new organisation’s strategy to national leather associations. In early October, he presented the GLA at a general meeting of the Association of the German Leather Industry (VDL) in Wuppertal. At the end of October, Deheer is also due to speak at the industry meeting of the Mexican association AQTCL in León, where he will explain the Alliance’s objectives and how it intends to mobilise the necessary financial resources.
Marc Smit, CEO of the leather chemicals manufacturer Royal Smit & Zoon, heads the GLA as Chairman. The Vice-Chair is Randy Johnson, President and CEO of the automotive leather manufacturer Pangea. Jim Deheer serves as Executive Director. Founding members include, amongst others, JBS Couros, Pangea, Smit & Zoon, TFL, AI Topper, Howe, ISA Nextgenmaterials and Muno.
Through regional working groups, joint research and communication projects, and a broader funding base, the Global Leather Alliance now aims to establish structures to bring together the hitherto highly fragmented interests of the international leather industry more effectively.
