The Leather and Hide Council of America launched our USA 250 branding at the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) 2026, the global leather and fashion materials trade fair held in Hong Kong from March 12–14. The launch marked a milestone moment for a country and an industry whose story stretches back to the founding of the nation, and whose future remains firmly rooted in the global marketplace.
Two Hundred and Fifty Years in the Making
Leather has been woven into the fabric of American life since the nation’s earliest days. In the colonial era and through the Revolutionary War, it was an essential material for both survival and conflict — boots and saddlery carrying soldiers across battlefields, holsters, belts and cartridge pouches equipping our army. As the young republic expanded westward, leather was indispensable on the frontier, driving the cattle industry and opening up the plains. By the late 19th century, the United States Leather Company had become significant enough to be counted among the founding members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a testament to just how central the industry was to American commerce.
A Gold Standard, Then and Now
The story of American leather is one of continuous technical evolution. The shift from traditional vegetable tanning to chrome tanning in the late 19th century transformed the industry, dramatically speeding up production and yielding softer, more versatile hides. Through the 20th century, advances in finishing, dyeing and quality control helped cement the reputation of American hides as a gold standard in global markets, prized for their consistency, quality and scale of supply. Today, with 95% of US hides exported around the world, and with modern tanneries embracing life cycle assessment and sustainability science, the industry that helped build America has a vital role in the country’s future.
US Government Support at the Fair
The US leather industry’s presence at APLF was supported by David Schlaefer, Deputy Consul General at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau, and Garrett McDonald, Director of the Agricultural Trade Office at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau. Both officials toured the US pavilion and met with LHCA members during the fair before joining an LHCA-hosted trade reception. There, David Schlaefer addressed attendees on behalf of the US government, speaking to the importance of trade and reaffirming America’s position as a trusted supplier of high-quality hides to the world, a message that resonated strongly in the context of the USA 250 branding launch.
USA 250: A Year-Long Campaign
The USA 250 branding, visible across this website and at events LHCA hosts and attends throughout the year, is more than a commemorative mark. It is a signal to global buyers and partners that American leather enters the US’ 250th anniversary with the same qualities that built the country’s reputation: consistent quality, transparent supply chains and a commitment to the long-term relationships that underpin world trade.