The story
Kanpur grew into a leather city in British times, when army demand for boots, saddles and harness led to large tanneries and government leather works. Tanneries clustered at Jajmau on the Ganga, close to hides from the cattle markets of the region and to water for processing. Today Kanpur and neighbouring Unnao tan buffalo and cow hides and make saddlery, footwear, gloves and leather goods for export.
In numbers
Jajmau is home to more than 200 tanneries with a combined processing capacity of 18,000 hides daily.
Business Today: Why Kanpur's tannery owners are struggling despite surging demand · 2022Kanpur contributes roughly 30 per cent to the leather trade in India, accounting for around Rs 6,000 crore of leather exports from India.
Business Today: Why Kanpur's tannery owners are struggling despite surging demand · 2022The industry provides direct and indirect employment to about a million people in Kanpur and Unnao districts.
Business Today: Why Kanpur's tannery owners are struggling despite surging demand · 2022
GI tag
- Kanpur SaddleryApplication no. GI Application No. 159; Registration No. 204GI Registry, IP India - Application 159: Kanpur Saddlery
Ways in for a newcomer
- Job work in cutting, stitching and finishing leather goods for exporters
- Chemicals, finishing agents and machinery servicing for tanneries
- Safety footwear and industrial gloves for factories
- Leather waste recycling and by-products
Problems the cluster faces
- Strict pollution rules and closures of tanneries on the Ganga
- Shifting tanneries to a new park needs capital
- High power cost and freight cost
- Competition from countries with cheaper power and labour
Businesses to start here
Finished Shoe-Upper Leather Tannery →Saddlery and Harness →Industrial Leather Hand Gloves →Leather Waist Belt Making →Leather Jacket Making →Leather Bag Making →Belting Leather Tanning Unit →Suede Leather Tanning Unit →