Hides and skins are sourced from animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and exotic animals like crocodiles and snakes. The supply chain for hides and skins typically involves the following steps:
1. Sourcing: Hides and skins are sourced from slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, and farms where animals are raised for their meat and other products. Some hides and skins may also come from hunting and trapping of wild animals.
2. Processing: Once the hides and skins are obtained, they are processed to remove hair, flesh, and other impurities. This process involves soaking, liming, dehairing, and tanning to preserve the hides and skins and make them suitable for use in various products.
3. Tanning: Tanning is a crucial step in the supply chain of hides and skins, as it involves treating the hides and skins with chemicals to make them durable, flexible, and resistant to decay. There are different tanning methods, including vegetable tanning, chrome tanning, and synthetic tanning.
4. Manufacturing: After tanning, the hides and skins are ready to be used in the production of leather goods such as shoes, bags, clothing, furniture, and automotive upholstery. Manufacturers purchase the processed hides and skins from tanneries and use them to create finished products.
5. Distribution: Finished leather goods are distributed to retailers, wholesalers, and consumers through various channels such as stores, online platforms, and trade shows. The distribution of hides and skins products is a global industry, with major producers and consumers located in countries like China, Italy, India, and the United States.
Overall, the supply chain of hides and skins involves multiple stakeholders, including farmers, slaughterhouses, tanneries, manufacturers, and retailers, working together to produce and distribute leather goods to meet consumer demand.