Prime Tanning Co., in Berwick, will merge with a Chinese leather company to form the world's largest premium leather maker starting May 1.

Prime Tanning and Shanghai Richina Leather Co. Ltd. will adopt the name Prime Leather International, and will be led by Robert Moore, the current CEO of Prime Tanning, according to a press release.

In 2001, Prime announced it would close, according to reports at the time. Instead, it drove on, and in 2007, acquired Irving Tanning Co. in Hartland and Cudahy Tanning Co. of Wisconsin.