Intertek Launches Highly Specialized Leather and Footwear Testing Laboratory in Chennai, India
03 Apr 2015
New lab will serve as a one-stop shop for all leather and footwear testing
Chennai, India – Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety services to industries around the world, has inaugurated a comprehensive leather and footwear testing facility in Chennai, India, to support the country’s leather, footwear and leathergoods industries. Intertek’s new Chennai laboratory will offer a full range of safety and performance testing services to leather manufacturers in Southeast India. The lab was inaugurated by Padma Shri Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) and Farida Group.
With specialized testing capabilities for strength, water spotting, colorfastness testing and chemical analysis, this lab will be a central destination and one-stop shop for testing and certification services. This new leather and footwear testing lab will provide a competitive edge to regional clients who require high standards of quality and safety for their products, while ensuring they accomplish acceptable standards for global buyers.
Mr. Rajesh Saigal, Regional Managing Director, Intertek South Asia added, “Intertek’s expansion in India has seen a vertical and horizontal growth over the years and the Chennai lab is another milestone achievement towards our overall business objective. Our main aim to set up this lab was to provide our valuable customers across the region with quality testing and certification, which is our core strength thus, helping them manufacture quality products and meet the requirements of the end consumers. I am sure this strategic move will meet the expectations of our customer across the region.”
Mr. Manish Kumar, Regional Director – Softlines, Intertek, said, “South India is one of the major footwear production centers in India and this lab will play a significant role in boosting the economic growth of the country’s footwear industry. Intertek’s unmatched expertise in identifying the species and the chemicals used in dyeing and finishing ensures that the end product meets the quality requirements of the customers and the requirements of regions to which they are marketed. Our broad testing capabilities enable our clients to effectively evaluate their footwear at all stages of growth and production. Our state-of-the-art lab will enable industry players to get their products tested and gain global acceptance.”
Commenting on the occasion Mr. Rafeeque Ahmed said, “The leather industry today is growing at a rapid rate. Such quality testing and certification laboratories are required to further catalyse this progress. I take this opportunity to congratulate Intertek and I will lend necessary support for smooth running of the lab in the region.”
Highlighting the role of the Indian footwear and leather industry to the overall economy, Mr. Manish Kumar added, “According to a Deloitte report on the Indian leather and footwear industry, India’s share in global exports is 2.2 percent, making it the ninth largest exporter of leather and footwear products. Leather footwear, leather apparel and leather goods account for 71 percent of India’s exports overall.”
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.
For Intertek & Media Inquiries:
Madhumita Guha
Business Development & Marketing Head
Intertek South Asia
Mobile: +91 9560944433
Email:madhumita.guha@intertek.com
Ojashwi Singh
Mobile: +91 9958448698
Email: ojashwi.singh@spag.asia