中文AI-Powered Leather Grading: Mindhive Global Expands Partnership with JBS Couros to 13 Sites
Mindhive Global, a producer of AI-powered leather grading technology, has announced the signing of a multi-year agreement with JBS Couros, a global leather processor, to expand their existing partnership and implement its state-of-the-art automated leather grading system across 13 wet-blue leather processing and distribution sites in Brazil, with completion set for June 2025.
Building on a Successful Collaboration
The company stated that the agreement builds on the strong foundation of Mindhive’s ongoing collaboration with JBS Couros in the US. Mindhive has finished installation of its first wet-blue leather grading machine at JBS Couros in Brazil. The technology is capable of processing up to 360 hides per line, per hour, and working with a grading accuracy rate exceeding 91%.
Guilherme Motta, CEO of JBS’s Leather Division, added: “JBS Couros is committed to continually enhancing efficiency of our production lines. The implementation of Mindhive Global’s technology will allow us to set new standards for leather grading, ensuring that every hide meets the highest criteria for our global customers. This partnership will help us lead the way in modernising leather processing and delivering excellence in every batch.”
The Technology: Speed and Precision
Mindhive’s system inspects and classifies hides within four seconds, mapping defects across 25-plus defect classes, ensuring consistent, high-quality results, according to the company. This level of speed and precision is difficult to achieve with manual grading, where human fatigue and subjectivity can lead to inconsistencies.
The leather grading process is critical because it determines the value of each hide. Accurate grading ensures that manufacturers can optimise cutting patterns, reduce waste, and deliver consistent quality to customers. Traditional manual grading, while skilled, is inherently variable. AI-powered systems like Mindhive’s offer the promise of standardised, repeatable results at scale.
Standardising Quality Across Multiple Sites
This partnership will optimise JBS Couros’ wet-blue leather grading process by delivering reliable grading through Mindhive’s advanced artificial intelligence and machine vision technology. JBS Couros processes wet-blue hides for the automotive, furniture, footwear and leather goods industries. By standardising the grading process, the partnership aims to maximise operational efficiency and strengthen JBS Couros’ position as a global leader in leather production.
James Bayly, CEO of Mindhive Global, described the deal as a pivotal moment for the company: “This partnership with JBS Couros is truly game-changing for us. At Mindhive, we pride ourselves on delivering world-class leather grading solutions. By collaborating with JBS Couros, we are demonstrating the global scalability and reliability of our AI-powered system, and we are excited to help standardise and optimize their leather production processes.”
Data-Driven Decision Making
JBS Couros will benefit from Mindhive’s precise, data-driven approach. This grading solution allows for verified classification, early-stage decision-making, and standardised grading across large-scale operations, eliminating the need for repetitive sorting and reducing waste. With centralised dashboards, JBS Couros will be able to benchmark performance across sites and optimize yield.
The ability to collect and analyse grading data across multiple sites represents a significant advance. It allows tanneries to understand patterns in hide quality, identify opportunities for process improvement, and provide customers with verified quality assurances. In an era where traceability and transparency are increasingly demanded, such data-driven systems offer a competitive edge.
The Broader Trend: AI in Leather Manufacturing
The expanded partnership between Mindhive Global and JBS Couros reflects a broader trend in the leather industry: the adoption of artificial intelligence and automation to enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability. As the industry faces pressure to reduce waste, improve consistency, and meet rising quality standards, AI-powered tools are emerging as a vital part of the modern tannery.
Other areas where AI is making inroads include defect detection in finished leather, predictive maintenance of tanning equipment, and optimising chemical formulations. The integration of AI into leather manufacturing is still in its early stages, but partnerships like this one signal growing confidence in the technology’s maturity and reliability.
A Milestone for Mindhive Global
For Mindhive Global, the multi-site deployment with JBS Couros represents a significant milestone. It demonstrates that their technology can scale from single-machine installations to enterprise-wide deployments across multiple facilities and countries. This credibility will be valuable as they seek to expand their customer base globally.
The leather industry, while rooted in tradition and craftsmanship, is increasingly embracing technological innovation. Partnerships like this one between Mindhive Global and JBS Couros illustrate how AI can enhance rather than replace human skill—freeing craftspeople to focus on higher-value tasks while ensuring that the foundational process of grading is executed with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
Source: Leather International (March 14, 2025)
