Iranian leather industry
Encyclopedia
Iran
’s modern leather industry began at the beginning of the 20th century. There are references of people trying to import leather processing machinery from the West during the reign of last Qajar king, Ahmad Shah Qajar
. Before that time there were only traditional tanneries (dabbaghi) in Iran.
During the first Pahlavi era, German
companies started to invest in the Iranian leather industry. The Khosravi leather factory was then built in Tabriz
in 1928, the largest and most modern of the time. After the Second World War, during the second Pahlavi era, this industry started to develop with factories mainly in the south of Tehran
(Shahr-e-Rey) and Tabriz
. These were mainly private companies who were able to import Western machinery, mostly from Germany and Italy
. The use of Western chemical products in the process of leather making also increased the quality of Iranian leather.
affected the leather industry. As a result of these sanctions, some Iranian chemical companies began to produce chemical products for the industry and the manufacture of machinery developed as well. Before the revolution, Iranians
were able to build some of the machinery, such as gear boxes for the wooden drums used for washing the leather. Afterwards, more complicated machinery, such as fleshing machines were first built in Tabriz.The use of these types of mechanized machines continued until the
production of more advanced mechanical and electrical machines. The leather industry in Tabriz started to use one of the most advanced machines built in Iran. It is used for splitting
and was produced by Reza Pourbagheri, of the Techno Machine Company, which was first located in Tehran. The Kardan Comapnay of Tehran produced electronic measuring machines. Later the company, Hydro Charm, under the management of Davood Kamrava emerged and produced other leather process machines.
The leather industry flourished after the revolution and was then taking advantage of government subsidies until it restricted its support. This was due to the inferior quality of leather and also the import of Chinese products which forced some factories to close by the end of the twentieth century.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
’s modern leather industry began at the beginning of the 20th century. There are references of people trying to import leather processing machinery from the West during the reign of last Qajar king, Ahmad Shah Qajar
Ahmad Shah Qajar
Ahmad Shah Qajar was Shah of Iran from July 16, 1909, to October 31, 1925 and the last of the Qajar dynasty.- Reign :...
. Before that time there were only traditional tanneries (dabbaghi) in Iran.
During the first Pahlavi era, German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
companies started to invest in the Iranian leather industry. The Khosravi leather factory was then built in Tabriz
Tabriz
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
in 1928, the largest and most modern of the time. After the Second World War, during the second Pahlavi era, this industry started to develop with factories mainly in the south of Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
(Shahr-e-Rey) and Tabriz
Tabriz
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
. These were mainly private companies who were able to import Western machinery, mostly from Germany and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The use of Western chemical products in the process of leather making also increased the quality of Iranian leather.
After the 1979 Islamic revolution
During the 1970s, the leather industry was one of the most lucrative businesses in Iran. After the 1979 Islamic revolution sanctions against IranSanctions against Iran
This article outlines economic, trade, scientific and military sanctions against Iran, which have been imposed by the U.S. government, or under U.S. pressure by the international community through the United Nations Security Council...
affected the leather industry. As a result of these sanctions, some Iranian chemical companies began to produce chemical products for the industry and the manufacture of machinery developed as well. Before the revolution, Iranians
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
were able to build some of the machinery, such as gear boxes for the wooden drums used for washing the leather. Afterwards, more complicated machinery, such as fleshing machines were first built in Tabriz.The use of these types of mechanized machines continued until the
production of more advanced mechanical and electrical machines. The leather industry in Tabriz started to use one of the most advanced machines built in Iran. It is used for splitting
Splitting
Splitting may refer to:* Splitting * Lumpers and splitters, in classification or taxonomyMathematics* Heegard splitting* Splitting field* Splitting principle* Splitting theorem* Splitting lemma...
and was produced by Reza Pourbagheri, of the Techno Machine Company, which was first located in Tehran. The Kardan Comapnay of Tehran produced electronic measuring machines. Later the company, Hydro Charm, under the management of Davood Kamrava emerged and produced other leather process machines.
The leather industry flourished after the revolution and was then taking advantage of government subsidies until it restricted its support. This was due to the inferior quality of leather and also the import of Chinese products which forced some factories to close by the end of the twentieth century.