I’d like to personally welcome each of you to the website of The American Leather Chemists Association!               Jan. 2023

It’s an interesting time for the leather industry as we continue to adapt and remain motivated always responsive to the ever changing market conditions. Our industry is unique in that we have few borders or frontiers. Materials are sourced and processes are implemented across much of the globe by industry participants who often share a common resource, the ALCA, and more importantly utilize our journal which we commonly refer to as JALCA.

The ALCA is the seventh oldest chemistry association in the United States.  We publish the fourth oldest chemistry journal, JALCA, Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association.  We have more than 300 members, domestic and international, representing all facets of the modern, global leather industry: chemical suppliers, hide processors, tanners, leather manufacturers, researchers and consultants.  Ours is one of the most diverse and multidisciplinary chemistry associations in existence.

Like many fellow organizations around the world, our association is witnessing a time of many opportunities and we are working hard to find solutions by harnessing the fantastic resources of our skilled and qualified membership. The world of the ALCA is an exciting area in which to operate, and we’ll continue to meet and bring inspired people together in forums like our annual convention to ensure our association remains at the cutting edge.

I believe strongly that our members and specifically our Councilors bring a tremendous amount of experience and leather knowledge to our organization and are able to fully understand the challenges and obstacles in the years ahead. We are working to support the industry in research through our collaboration with the ERRC (Eastern Regional Research Center) together with publishing papers from a wide variety of leather scientists and operators which become resource tools for the next generation of tanners.

There is an eight-member Council which includes two officers (President and Vice President) and six Councilors plus our Executive Secretary.  All of us are committed to the effective management of the ALCA and the passionate support and promotion of the leather chemistry discipline.

Our annual convention will be held June 20-23 at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. A top notch program is being assembled by our new Vice President John Rodden.  You will be able to find it as things develop on our home page under Annual Convention/technical program.  Our Convention Brochure for 2023 will be online with a link on our home page by mid March 2023.  The front page of the brochure will have the tentative technical program also.  An exciting social program has also been planned.  We expect to sell out of rooms so make sure you watch the website once registration opens and book your room right away.  The dates will be announced soon.  Be watching this website for details as they develop.

Finally, let me encourage you to contact us at carol.adcock@ttu.edu or 806-744-1798 with any questions or suggestions you might have.  We extend a warm invitation for your participation online and in person at our Annual Convention.  The enthusiasm generated over the past few years has rejuvenated membership and created excitement for the future.   I hope to see you all at our 2023 Annual Convention at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa!

Thank you for visiting.

Sincerely,

Joseph Hoefler

President, 2022-2024