The fur wholesaler obtains the raw skins from many countries, either where they have been farmed, or obtained as a result of wildlife management practices. Skins can be purchased either directly from the producer countries, or via large fur auctions which are held regularly.

The fashion industry demands fast response times and punctual deliveries. Furs are also a "just in time" product.

Fur centres can be found in Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin and Munich, but by far the most important centre is Frankfurt. The majority of trading companies are situated here and it is in Frankfurt where the furs arrive from all over the world. Here they are sorted, sent to dressers and dyers and offered to furriers and other members of the fashion world, to be made into garments.

The buying agents are also located in Frankfurt. They handle their customers' orders and give information. Qualified market know-how and committed services save the customer a lot of time and money.

Fur is an important natural product made of leather and hair. It requires special handling in order to allow it to be made into a high fashion garment.

Dressers and dyers make the leather soft and supple and give the hair flow and a silky shine.

Every type of fur has its own character with factors unique to it. Just as unique are the designs created and the art of putting the skins together. There can be up to 150 different processes before the product is finished. Depending on the fashion, furs can be lightened, coloured, dyed, shorn or plucked, the leather can either be finished to allow it to be used as "reversible" garment as suede or napa, also press-patterned or printed, etc.

Almost everything is possible, especially when it comes to colouring, more or less anything can be done. Furs can match everything.

To set the trend and follow fashion is as valid for the fur industry as it is for the ladies' and gents' topwear industry. In this respect Germany is also a good example for innovation and flexibility.

To prepare for the future goes without saying and trends are developed and followed. Fashion is an expression of the time, this includes fur fashion. Modern life resembles a patchwork of directions and does not follow any preset rules, fur mirrors this as it is combined together with mohair, bouclés, tweed or other completely new high tech fabrics.

German manufacturers encourage this mixture and they can adapt from articles trimmed with fur, to fur only garments.