FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About Leather
About Indian Leather Industry
About Our Company
About Our Plant
About Product Pricing
About Ordering
About Payment
About Material Options
About Prototyping
About Shipping
About Quality Inspection
About Satisfaction Guarantee
About Other Charges
ABOUT LEATHER
Why should I consider leather over synthetic materials?
Unlike synthetic materials, leather is a natural
organic material derived from renewable source and is far
more aesthetically beautiful, long lasting, and versatile.
The appearance of good leather doesn't deteriorate as it
ages, instead it acquires character- thanks to the fine
patina that develops over time.
Although the initial investment of
quality leather may be more than synthetic materials,
leather is actually your best value in the long run as it
outlasts other materials 4 to 1.
How do I differentiate between genuine leather and synthetic
one?
There are three basic tests that you can perform to
confirm the material is indeed leather.
Smell Test: First, most leather has a
characteristic odor of fat-liquor (oils used to lubricate
the leather). If the material doesn't have this "regular
smell of leather", chances are it is not genuine leather.
Please note that many of the newer "washable" or water
resistant leather do not have the same fat-liquors and often
do not have much of a characteristic leather odor.
Look Test: Looking at the back side of the leather
will also reveal its genuine character. The back of the
leather should look like suede. If you see threads, that is
a bad sign. If you see the ends of the collagen fibers, like
you would on a suede pair of shoes, that is good.
If possible, you can also inspect the cut edge - the leather
has a very distinctive layered appearance from the edge. The
grain and finish are very tight and compact. Often you can
see the hair follicles in this layer if you cut just right.
Then the inner layer is coarser and a random tangle of
heavier fibers. If you can see any criss-cross pattern or
symmetry, that is a sure sign of synthetic materials.
Fire Test: When exposed to mild temperatures (say
match flame), the genuine leather will not catch fire, while
other synthetic materials are inflammable and will burn
quickly. Leather sort of melts into a lump that will harden
like glass when cool. Will also shatter like glass if
crushed after it has been burned.
Where can I learn more about leather?
We want you to learn about the leather as much as
possible and therefore have put together a leather knowledge
base, which can be accessed by
clicking here.
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ABOUT INDIAN LEATHER INDUSTRY
What do I need to know about Indian leather industry?
Leather industry occupies a place of prominence in the Indian economy in view of its massive potential for employment, growth and exports. There has been increasing emphasis on its planned development, aimed at optimum utilization of available raw materials for maximizing the returns, particularly from exports. The key facts that make India an attractive destination for leather goods outsourcing are:
- The world’s largest technically trained manpower in leather craft is accessible at the world’s most
competitive costs.
- India boasts of 10% of the world's raw material
production. India is the
largest livestock holding country 21% large animals and
11% small animals.
- The current industrial policy is very conducive to
the promotion of the Indian leather industry both in
terms of domestic trade as well as exports. Integrated
tannery for conversion of raw hides and skins into
finished leather is de-licensed. Except for a few items,
many sectors are de-reserved.
- Decent Infrastructure: International airports, well
equipped sea ports, and well placed communication
network.
- Increasing tannery activities and modernization of
manufacturing facilities.
- Exports from India are likely to grow as
international brands have started outsourcing products
from India.
-
Government paying considerable attention to this
sector. Export revenues of over $2 billion.
What are the major production centers for leather and leather products in India?
The major production centers in India are
- Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore in South; Kanpur, Agra,
Delhi, and Jallandhar in North; Kolkata in East; and Mumbai
in the West.
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ABOUT COMPANY
Who is GNN International?
Please click
here to learn about us.
What is your EIN and D-U-N-S
number?
Please send us a request using our
contact form
and we would be happy to provide you this information.
Is GNN a certified MBE
(minority-owned business enterprise)?
While GNN is a Minority Owned Business in
the US, we have not sought a certification as of 2006.
Where is your sales office
located?
Our sales office is located in Colorado
Springs, CO in the USA. Please
click here
to see the mailing addresses for our sales office.
How many employees do you have?
Our workshop currently employs 17 full time
fabricators, cutters, craftsmen, and other personnel.
How long have you been in the
business?
GNN International has been in business
for over 13 years now. The US office started in May 2002.
Do you have a company brochure?
Please click here to download our electronic brochure in PDF format. We would be happy to email you another brochure that contains detailed information about our company it's capabilities.
Do you have a product catalog?
We're primarily a custom
leather solutions provider and therefore do not carry a
print catalog. However, we do have a large selection of
readymade products to choose from. To view our online
product catalog, please
click here.
Why should we choose GNN as our
manufacturing partner?
The cost savings associated with
strategic outsourcing not only give a business an edge over
its competition, but has become crucial for the survival of
many businesses. From the more obvious benefits of cost
reduction and quality improvement, outsourcing delivers a
client a number of advantages all the way up to value
generation and innovation capability in core competencies.
The five key considerations are:
-
Cost: The cost benefits of
outsourcing are obvious in terms of cheaper labor and
material costs. In case of variable sourcing contracts,
the costs can be reduced further in the form of higher
productivity of employees.
-
Quality: Most outsourcing vendors
have a better process maturity in their core areas as
compared to the client. As a result, such vendors can
deliver high quality products.
-
Time to Market: One of the major
benefits of outsourcing is to reduce the time to market
for any products or services of the client.
-
Focus on Core Competencies: The whole
objective of outsourcing is to enable the client company
to enable the client company to concentrate on its core
competence. By outsourcing your products to a company
that specializes in that area, the client company
significantly reduces its management involvement in
production issues, thereby freeing such resources for
core business activities.
-
Value Generation: In order to extract
more value from its products, the company can measure
the return on its investment. By doing so, it becomes
clear to both the vendor and the client as to what are
the key value parameters for the project and for the
outsourcing relationship. This in turn helps both
parties to monitor and plan for maximum value in the
engagement.
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ABOUT OUR PLANT
Where are the goods produced?
Our workshop is located in Kolkata (formerly
Calcutta) in India. Please
click here
to see the mailing address for our workshop.
What is your plant production
capacity?
We have a regular production capacity of
40,000 combined product units a month and have both human
and financial resources at our disposal to scale up our
production capacity at short notice.
What type of machinery and
equipments does your plant use?
We use imported cutting, skiving,
ironing, sewing (flat, vertical post, and cylinder bed)
machines.
What quality control measures do
you have in place?
The survival of our business rests on
quality of our products and therefore we're extremely
serious about quality and workmanship of our products. We
have a tiered Quality Control System in place that ensures
process integrity at three different levels and assures
finished product conformance with product specifications.
Does your plant employ child
labor?
We neither employ nor
condone child labor.
ABOUT
PRODUCTION MATERIALS
Can I order sample leather and
lining swatches?
We would be happy to send you leather
swatches matching your leather preferences. We can also send
you the lining material samples subject to availability.
There is no charge for swatches, however, we do require your
FedEx/UPS/DHL/TNT account number to cover the shipping cost.
What leather selections are
available?
We are able to provide our products made of leather from
multiple origins allowing our customers the freedom to
choose the best products to meet their specific needs. The
most frequently used leathers are:
- Cow Vegetable Tanned: leather produced using
environmentally friendly technology of applying
vegetable extracts instead of chrome powder similar to
used in most Italian leather.
- Cow Nappa: Nappa refers to Soft and as the name
suggests, this leather is soft and smooth to touch.
- Cow Natural Dry Milled (NDM): full grain leather
milled to provide smooth, tight grain, and suppleness of
hand. The leather has natural markings and reveals its
natural characteristics.
- Cow Printed Dry Milled (PDM): a chrome leather with
dry milled impressions on it.
- Cow Glazed: glazed is based on protein finish to
give the leather natural look.
- Cow Softy: semi-aniline and drum dyed leather that
is cheaper alternative to more expensive softer leather
like Nappa.
- Cow Antique: naked and drum dyed leather with aged
looks.
- Cow Saliba: a semi-chrome leather with a natural
break and smooth to touch.
- Buff Aniline: the Indian Buffalo hide retains its
color only from dyestuffs rather than from pigment
resulting in more natural look.
- Buff Glazed: the Indian Buffalo hide, with a fine
surface and smooth natural appearance.
Buff Resin: the Indian Buffalo hide, with a glossy
surface.
- Sheep Nappa: soft and supple lambskin widely used in
leather apparel manufacturing.
In addition, We have well established
relationships with the tanneries in India and abroad for the
prompt and efficient sourcing of wide variety leathers.
What color and print options are
available?
We can produce virtually any color
matching to your color swatch specification including
metallic colors. For a basic color guide, please visit our
Color Options page. For available color options, please click here and for the available print options, please click here.
Can I order my signature lining
material?
Yes, we can have your signature textile
lining materials produced subject to minimum order quantity.
The typical minimum order quantity for signature lining
material is 1000 yards.
Can you arrange for my custom
hardware?
We have reliable local vendors on hand
who can custom produce your hardware. If we're unable to
produce that hardware locally, we have well established
relationships with hardware vendors in Taiwan and Hong Kong
for such supplies.
Do you work with exotic skins?
Exotic skins like Croc, Lizard, Ostrich,
and others are prohibited by law in India and therefore can
not be used in production.
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ABOUT
ORDERING
Do you sell retail?
No. We only offer business-to business
services and work with new and established businesses with
valid business identification numbers.
Can I order from your online
catalog?
Yes, you can order from our online
catalog. However, certain products that we have developed
for our clients based on their specifications and are
displayed on the website for illustration purposes only.
These products can not be reproduced and therefore can not
be ordered.
What is your minimum order
quantity?
We're very flexible on our minimums. We
offer none to very low minimums if purchased on FOB
Kolkata/Ex-factory basis. Due to shipping considerations,
however, we do require minimum order quantities if purchased
on CIP/CIF (shipping included) basis. These minimums vary on
the total weight and volume of the shipment. Please contact
us with products of your interest and we'll
quote you our CIP/CIF price quote with minimum order
requirement.
How do I place an order?
You can call, fax, or contact us using
our online form mentioning the products of your interest.
We'll then send you a Proforma Invoice quoting you our best
prices based on the ordered quantity and shipping method, if
any. You can sign this Proforma Invoice and fax it back to
us. You can also fax your Purchase Order based on this
Proforma Invoice.
What is the required lead-time
for delivery once an order is placed?
The production lead time depends on the
ordered quantity. However, most of the orders are shipped
within 6-8 weeks of order confirmation. For larger and
repeat orders a shipment schedule can be negotiated in
advance.
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ABOUT
PRICING
I don't see prices listed on your
website. How can I get a pricelist?
A pricelist can be requested for our
products by completing our
Registration
page.
What is FOB Kolkata (India) pricing?
FOB (Free on Board) Kolkata pricing
doesn't include shipping and insurance charges to the
destination. A buyer is responsible for these charges. You
can either make your own arrangements for the shipping or we
would be happy to send you a separate quote from one of our
local shipping agents.
What is CIF/CIP Destination
pricing?
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)/CIP
(Carriage and Insurance Paid) pricing means that the quoted
price is the "delivered" price. You may still be responsible
for Customs Duty and Customs Clearance charges, if any.
How can I request pricing that
includes shipping charges.
We would be happy to quote you CIP
(Carriage and Insurance Paid) or CIF (Cost, Insurance, and
Freight) pricing subject to a minimum order quantity. Call
us to discuss your order.
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ABOUT
PAYMENT
What are your payment terms?
Our
Terms
of Business require payments be made using one of the
following three options:
-
For orders under $10,000: 100% deposit at the time
of placing order. Only US Business Checks or Wire Transfers accepted.
-
For orders between $10,000-$20,000: 50% deposit
at the time of placing order and balance payment before
delivery of the goods. At our discretion, we may extend flexible terms to
our long-time customers based on their payment history
and credit worthiness. Only US Business Checks or Wire Transfers accepted.
-
For orders over $20,000: 100% Confirmed Irrevocable
Letter of Credit at Sight issued by a reputed
US/international bank. All bank charges incurred will be
to buyer’s account.
What payment methods do you accept? Can I pay by
credit card?
We accept Business Checks, Cashiers'
Checks, and Wire/TT Transfer methods of payment. For larger
transactions, we accept Escrow, and Letter of Credits
brokered by a reputed bank or institution. Personal checks
and Credit Cards are not accepted.
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ABOUT
PROTOTYPING
How can I submit specifications
for my custom product?
You can send your specifications or
instructions and drawings/images using out
Request a
Quote page.
Is my proprietary information protected? Do you sign
non-disclosure/non-compete agreements?
We respect your right to your proprietary
information and ensure its confidentiality. We are glad to
sign any non-disclosure and/or non-compete Agreement before
you reveal any confidential information to us.
What is the turn around time for prototyping?
The turn around time essentially depends
on the availability of the requested materials and therefore
the typical turn around time on prototyping is 4 weeks.
How much do you charge for prototyping?
We do not charge prototype development
charges. The cost of prototyping is typically the cost of
the product and the shipping charges involved. The shipping
might also be charged directly to your FedEx/UPS/DHL/TNT account, subject to your account verification.
Do you guarantee prototyping
results?
While we guarantee our best efforts in
producing a prototype, due to the unpredictable nature of
the process, we cannot guarantee the outcome. Be rest
assured, however, that we use our years of experience and
all of the resources to deliver your leather solution just
the way you meant it to be.
Is there anything else I need to know about
prototyping process?
Prototyping is a time consuming and
highly unpredictable process. Sometimes the outcome is not
as expected and we have to refine the process to achieve the
desired results. Your patience during this process is
greatly appreciated.
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ABOUT
QUALITY INSPECTION
What is Pre-Shipment Inspection?
Pre-shipment inspection of goods is
carried out during or upon the completion of production of
the goods. Even though all our products are back by our 100%
guarantee for quality or adherence to the specifications, a
buyer may still want to make sure that everything is
absolutely perfect before shipment leaves our factory. In
that case, the buyer has an option of Pre-shipment
inspection by a third party.
Who carries out the inspection
and who pays?
Pre-shipment inspections are performed by
contracted private organizations. One such internationally reputed agency is SGS (India). A buyer has an option of engaging them for a pre-shipment inspection. The expenses incurred in such inspection will be borne by the buyer.
What is post shipment inspection?
Since we guarantee all the products we
sell, you also have an option of carrying out post-shipment
inspection of goods upon receiving the goods. We allow you
seven days after the goods have been delivered to inspect
the goods carefully and inform us of any defects or
discrepancy. We replace or compensate you for the the
defected goods in your next order. This costs you nothing
yet gives you the same peace of mind as pre-shipment
inspection.
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ABOUT
SHIPPING
What is my shipping cost?
Shipping cost depends on the Gross Weight, Volume of the
shipment, and port of destination. Shipping cost from India
typically ranges between 5% - 18% of the merchandize cost.
Where are the goods shipped from?
All the orders are shipped directly from
our factory in Kolkata (India).
What shipping methods are available?
There are three shipping methods
available from India:
Ocean Freight: This is the most economical way of
shipping goods but takes about 45-60 days for US/Canadian
destinations and 30-45 days for European destinations. This
option is ideal for large shipments that are not time
sensitive .
Air Freight: This option is the most widely used
option ensuring low shipping costs with faster deliveries.
This method costs more than Ocean Freight but substantially
less than Air Express. The lead time is typically 7-12 days
depending on the carrier.
Air Express: This is the fastest shipping method
with high shipping costs. The advantages of this option
include door-to-door delivery with inexpensive and
hassle-free Customs clearance. This is a good option for
time sensitive and relatively smaller shipments. The
deliveries take about 3-5 days.
Can I have shipping billed
directly to my FedEx/UPS/DHL account?
Yes. However, this will cost you more in
shipping costs because FedEx/UPS/DHL charges higher US
Dollar rates to your account as compared to cheaper Indian
Rupee rates they charge us locally. On top we receive
several volume discounts because of our ongoing relationship
with them. Also, we do not recommend this option for time
sensitive shipments.
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OTHER
CHARGES
Besides shipping and insurance
charges what other charges should I take into consideration?
Besides Freight and insurance, you're
also responsible for paying the US Customs Duties (typically
in the range of 8-10%). In addition, if your shipment is
arriving via Ocean or Air Freight, you will also incur the
Customs Clearance charges. These charges are about $300 per
shipment if you hire a Clearing Agent. In most cases, you
can clear the shipments yourself with the Customs and save
this expense. For Air Express shipments, the carrier clears
your shipment for you and charge a nominal clearance charge
in addition to the Customs Duty, if any.
Where can I find more information on the Customs
tariff?
Please visit US Customs website at
http://www.customs.treas.gov/impoexpo/impoexpo.htm for
more information.
What are the Customs Duty rates
on your products?
For this information please visit
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff2001.asp
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SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
What will you do to make sure I’m
satisfied with my purchase?
We take pride in the quality of our products and stand
behind the quality and workmanship of each one. To ensure
your satisfaction, all shipments are carefully inspected
before leaving our warehouse. If you are not satisfied with
your purchase upon arrival, please notify us immediately and
we will attempt to correct the situation.
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