Setting up of service labs in tanning centres, making colour and fashion forecasts and moving fast forward in chemicals and products development to suit the new and emerging trends are some of its services and policy initiatives laid out for immediate implementation. Online order processing, commitment to quality consistency, environment-friendly processing and providing chemicals as a package to the tanners are the other priorities of the company.

The company expects the aggressive strategy would result in increased sales. The target set for 2005 is Rs 100 crore. If achieved, the jump would be substantial from the 2000 sales of around Rs 25 crore, amounting to 10 per cent of the speciality leather chemical market in India.

TFL's prime target is to enable the Indian tanners produce high quality and environment-friendly leather from the wide variety of hides available domestically by using right chemicals in the right proportions.

According to the managing director of TFL's India operations Ashok Singh Bais: ``Our immediate plan is to set up service laboratories in the major tanning centres like Ranipet, Ambur, Jalandhar etc.'' These labs will provide spot solutions to the day-to-day problems the tanners face in their efforts to be eco-friendly and to maintain a consistent quality. ``We will try out new methods in these labs and help the tanners develop speciality leathers to meet customer specifications,'' Mr Bais told The Financial Express. TFL, the suppliers of speciality chemicals, delivers chemicals to its customers as a total package for applications from beam house operations to the finishing stage. ``TFL with customised package provides the solution that increases the customer's competitive edge through service and products.

``We are now in an advantageous position as TFL is far ahead of competitors in fashion colour forecasting and product development,'' Mr Bais said. TFL is now ready with the colours for leather garment, footwear and accessory industry for Autumn/winter 2002-2003, 21 months before the season.

So far, TFL has been a major contributor to the International Colour Authority (ICA). Separated from ICA, TFL is on its own, working in collaboration with the Italian fashion designer Sergio Belloni and a panel of international expert colourists.

``As soon as the colours, the process and products are ready in Italy, we receive them and we pass on the information and colour cards to the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) and key industry players for dissemination among all interested tanners,'' Mr Bais said.

``Knowledge of future colour preference and trends help designers, manufacturers and tanners stay one step ahead of the market and competition. This should ensure global relevance for the Indian leather producers who are now the leading contributors to Modeurope, the colour and fashion forecasting agency.

TFL is building its website and is planning to begin online order processing from this year. ``With our well-established network we can follow the orders, access stock position world-wide and know delivery schedules,'' the managing director said. TFL produces 40 per cent of its sales in India and the balance is imported.

In Montebello, Italy, the company has set up the TFL Academy for leather processing and tanning. Said to be the only one of its kind in the world, the academy provides training to tanners from all over the world. TFL develops courses for the specific requirements of the target group. The Academy is opening its doors to Indian tanners and plans to facilitate their skill upgradation there through a cost-sharing arrangement.

TFL, the only exclusive leather chemical company of its size in the world, came into being in 1996 with the coming together of the leather divisions of Ciba, Rohm and Stockhausen.

Headquarterd in Germany, the company expanded in to Italy, Brazil, Switzerland, the US, Hong Kong, Argentina, Mexico, China and France. It has branches and offices in India, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Turkey and South Africa.