The Global Leather Alliance (GLA) was launched on September 15, 2026 during Lineapelle in Milan as an independent, global non-profit organization created to unite and mobilise the leather industry around a shared mission to protect, promote and advance real leather through engagement, education, collaboration and science based communications.
GLA is a Belgian AISBL (international non-profit association) built for the industry, by the industry. It will serve as a transparent funding and coordination hub, directing resources towards initiatives that strengthen the reputation, sustainability and long term future of real leather.
The new alliance will focus on 4 areas: Unite, Fund, Empower and Protect. It plans to bring together leather organizations, associations, suppliers, manufacturers and brands, raise and strategically deploy funding for industry initiatives, give members a direct say in priorities and project decisions, and support the reputation and value of real leather.
GLA said it is not intended to replace existing leather associations. Instead, it will connect organizations already working across the industry and provide a platform to address challenges that go beyond national borders, including consumer perception, misinformation and global outreach.
GLA will be supported through industry participation, membership and other funding mechanisms. It plans to use membership funding to apply for larger public and private grants and scale funding strategically.
Marc Smit, CEO of ROYAL SMIT & ZOON, is Chair, while Randy Johnson, President and CEO of PANGEA, serves as Vice-Chair. Jim Deheer is Executive Director and Katie Kutskill is Governance & Strategic Advisor.
“The leather industry does not need another organization competing for attention. It needs one capable of bringing people together.”
– Jim Deheer, Executive Director, GLA, shared on LinkedIn
The founding members are JBS Couros, PANGEA, SMIT & ZOON, TFL, AI TOPPER, HOWE, ISA Nextgenmaterials and MUNO.
GLA describes its vision as becoming a “collagen fibre network” for the global leather industry by strengthening regional organizations, supporting existing initiatives and helping bring new ideas to a wider scale. It said the organization will be built around integrity, transparency, collaboration and long term sustainability.
For more information, visit the Global Leather Alliance website.
