Association of Hungarian Light Industry

The Association of Hungarian Light Industry (AHLI) is a non-governmental voluntary organisation of employers acting in the field of textile, clothing, leather and shoe industry. AHLI is one of the member organisation of the Confederation of Hungarian Employers and Industrialists (BUSINESSHUNGARY – MGYOSZ: www.mgyosz.hu).

Mission:

  • To unite and represent companies interest in manufacturing of textile clothing, leather and footwear products.
  • To promote and defend the professional and economic interests of represented industries.
  • To contribute to the development of economic relations both at national and international level.
  • To prove economic information to members and to monitor the legislative changes affecting the industries represented by the Association.

 

AHLI was established in 1990 based on the initiative of 65 manufacturing companies. In the first years of its history the Association represented over 90% of the branch. In the following years the number of companies increased enormously compared to the early nineties, and some other new professional organisations were also established. AHLI cooperates with the textile sections of chambers and the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers (VOSz: www.vosz.hu). Besides its members AHLI represents employer interests of the members of the Society of Textile Technology (TMTE: www.tmte.hu), the Association of Professional Textile Care (TTE) on a contractual basis, as well as the footwear and leather products manufacturing companies of the Association for Leather and Shoe Industry (BCE) in a membership relation.

AHLI collects and conveys the opinion of its members to the appropriate decision makers, and through MGYOSZ it also participates in the interest reconciliation process at national level.

Since 2004 AHLI has been member of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX: www.euratex.eu) and recently joined the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC: www.cec-footwearindustry.eu) and the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COATNCE, The European Leather Association: www.euroleather.com).
In EURATEX AHLI represents other Hungarian organisations of the sector based on an agreement with them. AHLI is one of the founders of the Hungarian Social Dialogue Committee (KÁPB) working for light industry.

The governing body of AHLI is the General Assembly of its members that elects the three members presidium.

The composition of the presidium:

President:                    Dr. Livia Kokas Palicska (INNOVATEXT Co.)

Vice presidents:          Dr. Pál Pataki (TMTE)

                                       András Kocsis (BIMEO)

AHLI maintains a close cooperation with the following institutes and organizations of the Hungarian light industry:

Hungarian Society of Textile Technology and Science (TMTE)

The Hungarian Society of Textile Technology and Science (TMTE: www.tmte.hu) is the only non-profit civil organisation in Hungary that serves the development of professional contact and exchange of experiences in the textile, clothing and textile cleaning industry. To help their innovative work, the Society provides its members with up-to-date and exclusive information through the following channels: international and domestic conferences, meetings, information exchange forums, publications, accredited adult education (EDUTEX).

The Hungarian Association for Leather and Shoe Industry (BCE)

The Hungarian Association for Leather and Shoe Industry (BCE) is a member of AHLI, and has companies as its own members. It was founded in 1978 by leather and footwear producers and later on it also incorporated local leather goods manufacturers as well. Main activities of the Association include representation of the trade interests, provision of different services to its members and organization of the Leather and Shoe Week trade fair in Budapest. BCE is a member of the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE: www.euroleather.com), the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC: www.cec-footwearindustry.eu) and represents Hungary in various European working groups.

Scientific Society of the Leather, Shoe and Allied Industries (BCBTE)

The Scientific Society of the Leather, Shoe and Allied Industries (BCBTE) is a non-profit organisation founded in 1930. The society incorporates specialists and experts of the Hungarian leather, footwear, fur, leather goods and glove industry subsectors. Members are both individuals and companies.  BCBTE is a member of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS: www.iultcs.org) and the International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC: www.uitic.org).

Pannon Textile Cluster

The Pannon Textile Cluster (www.pantex.hu) with the aim of promoting a more effective and profitable work for experts and enterprises in the West-Transdanubean region working in the field of the textile and clothing industry.