Much like the relationship between a customer and their shoemaker, since the beginning of the 19th century, so are the relationships Italian footwear, leathergoods and tanning machine manufacturers similarly have had working closely with their customers in creating the "best" equipment for their needs. As of 2000, their customers can be found in over 124 countries. Italian manufacturers supply over 50% of the world's shoe and leather goods machines and over 80% of the tannery machinery. Such statistics would explain why over 60% of the industry's total annual production is exported abroad.