The Generalitat accredits Leather Cluster Barcelona

Acció incorporates the Catalan leather cluster into the Catalunya Clústers programme

The Catalunya Clústers programme, promoted by the Generalitat through ACCIÓ –the agency for business competitiveness- has approved the incorporation of Leather Cluster Barcelona.

In 2014 the Government, through ACCIÓ, launched Catalunya Clústers. The programme aims to implement a cluster policy geared towards excellence, in line with the recommendations of the European Commission and the approach of the leading countries in this field. Its objective is to promote the grouping of companies and entities from the same sector in order to boost their competitiveness, share resources, generate synergies and project themselves internationally.

In parallel with the accreditation, and as one of the requirements for joining Catalunya Clústers, the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA), the leading body in Europe for the analysis of business cluster management, made up of experts from 30 countries, has awarded Leather Cluster Barcelona the Cluster Excellence Initiative Bronze Label Certificate.

Leather Cluster Barcelona represents the interests of the Catalan leather tanning sector and its main objective is to bring together, coordinate and energise the efforts of all the companies and stakeholders in the value chain of the leather industry in Catalonia, in order to increase their competitiveness, improve their efficiency and drive the growth of their joint business.

Leather Cluster Barcelona currently comprises more than 40 companies and entities in the value chain of the leather industry of Catalonia, among which are A3 Leather Innovation Center UdL and the Universitat de la Pell as centres that provide research, innovation and training for the sector, the tanners' water treatment plant, a plant that is a pioneer in Europe in technology and knowledge, the leather museum and the cal Granotes museum which illustrate the history of tanning activity in Catalonia since the 11th century, and the Adoberia Bella, headquarters of the cluster and European Interpretation Centre for Quality Leather.

The Catalan leather cluster has its capital in Igualada, a business, educational, scientific and environmental cooperation ecosystem around the leather industry that is unique in the world.

The members of Leather Cluster Barcelona have a combined turnover of more than 300 million euros, employ more than 1,200 workers and export more than 80% of their production.

Under the direction of Jordi Vidal, the cluster intends to bring in new members and is open to all companies and stakeholders in the leather sector value chain: from the world of livestock farming through to that of manufacturing, design and fashion.