NAICS 316 - Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

Establishments in the Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing subsector transform hides into leather by tanning or curing and fabricating the leather into products for final consumption. This subsector also includes the manufacture of similar products from other materials, including products (except apparel) made from "leather substitutes," such as rubber, plastics, or textiles. Rubber footwear, textile luggage, and plastics purses or wallets are examples of "leather substitute" products included in this subsector. The products made from leather substitutes are included in this subsector because they are made in similar ways leather products are made (e.g., luggage). They are made in the same establishments, so it is not practical to separate them.

The inclusion of leather and hide tanning and finishing in this subsector is partly because it is a relatively small industry that has few close neighbors as a production process, partly because leather is an input to some of the other products classified in this subsector, and partly for historical reasons.

• Includes tanning and curing of hides into leather as a primary process.
• Encompasses manufacturing of finished leather products and leather substitutes.
• Products include footwear, luggage, purses, and wallets made from leather or similar materials.
• Small to medium-sized manufacturers dominate, with some large-scale producers.
• Government contracting focuses on durable goods meeting strict specifications.
• Leather tanning included due to its integral role in the subsector’s product supply chain.

• Tanning and curing raw hides to produce leather.
• Manufacturing leather footwear for military and civilian use.
• Producing leather and synthetic luggage and travel goods.
• Fabricating rubber or plastic substitute products such as purses and wallets.
• Applying finishing processes to enhance durability and appearance.
• Meeting government quality and safety standards for contract compliance.
• Packaging and distributing finished leather and allied products for government delivery.
• Researching alternative materials to improve product sustainability and performance.

• Leather tanning and finishing companies.
• Footwear manufacturers specializing in leather and rubber products.
• Producers of leather goods including luggage and small leather accessories.
• Companies fabricating leather substitute products from plastics or textiles.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises focused on government supply contracts.
• Contract manufacturers serving defense and federal agency procurement needs.