The institute is grooming skilled manpower for the industry and is also ensuring continuity in product development, technology upgradation and making the product globally competitive.
The polymer saddletree, developed by the institute, has received acceptance worldover and its various models now account for 80-90 per cent requirements of the market.
Stirrup and hand tools, developed indigenously, have been adjudged better and cheaper than the imported ones. The institute is playing a major role in designing saddles.
Initially, the institute was offering only one-year certificate course.
Now it is offering a 3-year diploma, 3-month courses for workers to upgrade their skills and a 4-month training course for new workers.
The institute, which was set up in 2000, claims to have achieved 90 per cent placement for its students.
The institute is also planning to start new courses and a riding school.
When the National Leather Development Programme decided to resolve problems faced by the saddlery industry in Kanpur, it was realised the industry needed a platform, said NLDP director MP Misra. To tackle the problems on a continuous basis, the institute was started, he added.
Guided by the industry, the institute had created a new awareness about technological upgradation and product quality, Misra added.
Saddlery is important, since it generates more employment then any other segment of the leather industry. India
