Advanced Technology Emerges as Key Driver of Tannery Productivity
A recent Abrameq and CICB webinar highlighted how advances in automation, mechanization and modern machinery are helping tanneries improve productivity, process efficiency and competitiveness across the leather industry.
LW Desk
A webinar organized by Abrameq (Brazilian Association of Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers for Leather, Footwear and Related Industries) and CICB (Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry) on August 20 brought together machinery manufacturers and leather industry representatives to discuss how technology is transforming tannery operations and improving productivity.
The session, titled “Technology and Productivity in the Leather Industry,” focused on the role of automation, mechanization and modern production management in improving efficiency and competitiveness.
The discussion highlighted how the machinery used in leather processing has evolved significantly, particularly in the ribeira stage, where greater automation has changed the way hides are moved and processed.
Representing Abrameq, Heitor Schreiber, BKS Indústria e Comércio de Máquinas and Anderson Bremm Peck, Bremm Peck Máquinas Industriais shared examples of how equipment upgrades have influenced tannery performance over the years.
One of the most important changes has been the introduction of automated systems for moving hides around production facilities. Overhead conveyors, which began gaining ground in the late 1980s, helped tanneries reduce dependence on manual movement and create smoother production flows.
Besides improving handling efficiency, the systems also reduced the physical burden on workers.
The increase in processing capacity illustrates the scale of this technological shift. According to the speakers, productivity that was once in the range of 60–70 hides per hour has risen to around 280–320 hides per hour in modern operations.
This improvement has not come from speed alone. Better integration between different stages of production, more sophisticated machinery and automated workflows have allowed tanneries to handle higher volumes with greater consistency.
Equipment engineering has also moved forward, with manufacturers using specialised steels and stronger materials to improve machine performance and durability.
At the same time, monitoring and control technologies are giving operators greater oversight of production processes and helping them identify and manage operational issues more effectively.
For tanneries, the benefits extend beyond higher output. More advanced equipment can help optimise the use of production inputs, improve workplace safety and allow manufacturers to achieve higher volumes without requiring a proportional increase in machinery.
The webinar also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation between machinery manufacturers and tannery operators. Understanding the practical challenges faced on the production floor can help equipment suppliers develop technologies that are better suited to real-world requirements.
As the leather industry faces growing pressure to improve efficiency and remain competitive, the discussion demonstrated how investment in machinery and production technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the modern tannery's strategy.
The evolution of tannery technology therefore represents more than an upgrade in equipment; it is helping reshape production systems around higher productivity, better control and more efficient use of resources.
