Leather tannery JBS Group has completely reshuffled its global operations this month. Headquartered out of the bustling central Americas, the Brazil-based firm insists on changing up its promotion of 'Made In Brazil' leathers. It's the latest in a series of efficiency moves in Brazil, which sees the burgeoning nation hone in on the business of fashion.
According to the Brazilian Association of Textile and Apparel Industries, the South American nation produced 2001 tons worth of textiles last year – the fifth biggest global manufacturer behind China, India, USA and Pakistan. But, it still imports a whopping 60% of its garments from Asia, according to the Brazilian Textile and Garment Association (ABIT), with the majority coming from China.
Such industry figures are certainly a driving force behind JBS Group's latest corporate moves, which are effective October 1. Via a press statement, JBS revealed its new global operations management team, as well as a refocusing its global marketing and innovation management team, across its Food and Couros division (the leather part of the business). Keeping operations unified, both are to be presided over by global chief executive, Wesley Batista.
In relation to the leather manufacturing, Tarek Farahat - former president for Latin America of consumer products group Procter & Gamble - will serve as the new global president of the marketing and innovation management team for JBS worldwide.
He will be responsible for leading the positioning of the company’s brands (including the JBS institutional brand and its leather division, JBS Couros) and for research and development on a global basis. He will also lead the company’s innovation-related initiatives, the company said in a statement, which would include sustainability.
Brazil's Future Is Green
As consumers - and high-end designers - look to sustainable fashion even more in 2015, Brazil is pushing for leather makers to opt for accreditation with the nation's latest initiative - the Brazilian Leather Certification of Sustainability (CSCB).
The leather sector continues to improve its environmental standards in areas of water consumption and management, treatment of wastewater effluents, emission reduction, raw materials traceability and waste disposal. And the impact farming has on the deforestation of the Amazon rain forest. These issues in the past may have deterred eco-conscious designers and retailers from tapping Brazilian leathers.
The Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) wants more accreditation interest from tanneries, before the sustainability certification comes into practice at the end of 2015.
“It is a way of anticipating ourselves, and get ready for the certification, which will sure be a milestone for the Brazilian leather sector," said José Fernando Bello, executive president of CICB.
CSCB labeling will indicate which tannery supplied the leather, its commitment to reducing the impact on the environment and its internal working conditions and fairtrade policies.
Its a mammoth task to roll out considering Brazil has the biggest cattle heard in the world with around 217,500 million heads. The country has 310 tanneries, which employ a total of 44,000 people.
It's about establishing a more global Brazil. JBS' chief Wesley Batista backs his company's next step, a reorganization in management for a more globally-focused leather department.
“This new structure is an important step toward our future at JBS," said Batista.
"We remain focused on delivering the best results in a sustainable manner through brands admired by consumers, innovation in our business units and operational excellence in our facilities all over the world. This new structure will allow us to enhance our management capabilities and increase our corporate governance.”