Ethio-Leather Industry (ELICO), was established in August, 1997 after acquisition of three factories from the Ethiopian Privatization Agency. The Industry has three Operating Units, namely, the Gloving and Hides Unit, Goat Suede and Shoe Leather Unit and Leather Goods and Garment Unit.

The company produces finished leather garments for men and women, sports gloving leather from sheepskin, finished goat suede for shoe upper, finished cowhide for shoe upper, finished crust lining leather, cowhide crust and other leather goods and articles.

Operation

While employing conventional tanning process, ELICO has installed an exemplary Effluent Treatment Plant at the Glove and Hide Unit (GHU), an environmentally compliant project. A chrome-recovery project has been put in place at the Goat Suede and Shoe Leather Unit (GSSLU). An effluent Treatment Plant Project is also in the pipeline at the Goat Suede and Shoe Leather Unit. ELICO is one of the very few industries which has installed environmentally compliant facilities in the country.

ELICO has achieved process management standards and received ISO Certification. All operating Units are ISO 9001-2000 and ISO 14001 certified.

The Industry has also received Recognition Awards in many exhibition venues and has been awarded for its outstanding export performance by the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry for successive years. ELICO’s finished dress and sports gloving leather from sheep has penetrated the international market.

ELICO secures about 40% of the market in finished leather goods and garments and about 70% in the leather goods and articles in the local market. Also the Company commands 25% of the local market for finished processed and finished leather for shoe upper front.

ELICO is a pioneer and is a trail-blazer in the production and export of finished dress and sports gloving leather. Its finished dress and sports leather from sheepskin has penetrated the international finished leather markets. Through persistent effort, it succeeded in putting Ethiopia on the global map of finished leather manufacturers and exporters.

Modern systems and procedures were introduced in all operational areas, and as a result of which specialization was put in place in order to utilize the benefit of accumulated experience in specific areas. Many employees were trained in-house and external training institutions to upgrade their skills.