Chanel has strengthened its leather supply chain with the purchase of a new tannery in Italy. Having already bought printed and embossed leather specialist Samanta last year, the French luxury house has now acquired Conceria Gaiera Giovanni, a company which has been supplying Chanel with smooth and soft leather for more than 10 years.

 
The luxury group confirmed to FashionNetwork.com that it has "undertaken a merger" with the Italian company, but gave no details about the price of the transaction. "This decision was motivated by converging interests: Gaiera's need to be supported by a strong partner who will ensure the long-term visibility of the company, and Chanel's desire to safeguard and support a sector which is essential to its operations, as well as to those of the wider luxury industry," explained the house in a statement.

Conceria Gaiera Giovanni was founded in 1946 and is based in Robecchetto con Induno, near Milan. The company is specialised in processing and treating kid, lamb and calfskin, and has been working with couture houses since the 1990s. "In accordance with Chanel's strategy for this kind of operation, the tannery will continue to collaborate with all of its clients," said the luxury group.

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At the end of 2018, Chanel announced that it would no longer be using exotic skins in its collections, as ensuring an ethical supply chain had become too complicated. Since then the group has doubled down on acquisitions and share purchases in the leather industry. This strategy saw Chanel invest in France's Haas tanneries and Spain's Colomer Leather Group in 2018, as well as Italy's Samanta in 2019, and Alsatian tannery Degermann. 

Between 2013 and 2016, the group also acquired two French lambskin tanneries. With its latest purchase, the world-famous label has therefore added a key element to the internal leather infrastructure that it has been building over the last few years, a strategy which aims to secure the company's supply chain for its leather operations.

It's worth noting that Chanel also completed another acquisition in Italy in July. The company purchased Piedmont-based novelty yarn manufacturer Vimar 1991, which was integrated into Paraffection, the Chanel subsidiary that controls a range of artisanal workshops.