About the U.S. Hide Skin and Leather Association

The United States Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) is the exclusive representative of the hide and skin industry in the United States. Member companies include meat packers, hide processors, brokers, dealers, and exporters. Associate Members represent suppliers and trades associated with the industry, such as tanners, chemical and equipment manufacturers, and transporters.

Working with Other Associations

USHSLA serves as liaison with numerous allied trade associations, such as Leather Industries of America, Footwear Industries of America, and the National Cattlemen's Association. Internationally, USHSLA is the U.S.'s official representative to the International Council of Hides, Skins & Leather Traders Associations (ICHSLTA).

Working together with ICHSLTA, USHSLA has developed a revised international hide contract and has established the Standards Governing the Export of North American Cattlehides. Meetings and Training Programs Every two years (odd years), USHSLA conducts a Hide Training School. Attendees receive detailed instruction on the latest techniques in cattlehide processing. Areas covered in the curriculum include curing, grading, shipping, receiving, claims, and trade practices. The course also offers "hands-on" experience with visits to a hide processor and tannery.

USHSLA provides its members opportunities to gather and discuss current industry issues with two annual meetings each year. The Mid-Winter Meeting takes place each February and the Annual Convention convenes in Chicago each October. USHSLA members receive significant discounts on registration fees for all meetings. Communicating with Members: Members receive USHSLA's monthly newsletter. Each newsletter includes: information on industry issues news briefs member updates valuable statistical data bulletins on future meetings business opportunities. Educational literature and videos are also available through the association.

USHSLA also offers the Hide Supply Subscription Service, a monthly computer-generated printout detailing hide import and export figures. This data is compiled from government agencies. Please inquire for details. Working with Government USHSLA actively represents the trade in Washington, D.C. It constantly monitors the activities of the federal government on matters affecting the industry. USHSLA participates in programs involving export sales reporting, export statistics, and hide price reporting.

In cooperation with the Foreign Agriculture Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USHSLA conducts a foreign market development program which seeks to promote the export of U.S. hides and skins, and to diversify the U.S. industry's customer base. Testing Laboratory The USHSLA Testing Laboratory tests and identifies hide and leather defects and their causes. Jean Tancous heads the lab and has over 40 years of experience in hide and leather research. Members and nonmembers can have samples tested on a cost-per-service basis.

For testing, send samples to:
U.S. Hide, Skin & Leather Association Testing Laboratory
3369 Fiddlers Green Road
Cincinnati, OH 45248
Phone and FAX: (513) 574-7692
ATTN: Jean Tancous
The American Meat Institute: Working for USHSLA Members

USHSLA became a division of the American Meat Institute (AMI) after a merger in 1990. AMI serves its membership by shaping public policy and providing industry education. USHSLA members automatically become Allied Members of AMI at no additional charge. Members can receive valuable benefits and discounts on services such as telephone charges, overnight courier services, and insurance. AMI also publishes a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps members informed on issues affecting the meat industry.