Tamil Nadu has 70% of tanning factories in the country. The
state accounts for 70 per cent of leather tanning capacity in India and 38 per
cent of leather footwear and components. The exports from Tamil Nadu are valued
at about US $ 762 million, which accounts for 42 per cent of Indian leather
exports. Hundreds of leather and tannery industries are located around Vellore,
Dindigul and Erode its nearby towns such as Ranipet, Ambur, Perundurai and
Vaniyambadi. The Vellore district is the top exporter of finished leather goods
in the country.