GUEST SPEAKER: Stephen Randal, a long-term member of our Club spoke about the leather industry, in which he’d spent his entire career. He advised members that the skin of any animal is its biggest organ. Early man was aware of the value of animal skins for protection from the elements, but no one knows how tanning evolved. It’s conjectured that it may have been accidental with someone observing that a skin discarded in a puddle containing tannin leached from a tree imparted some properties resulting in a basic level of durability. We know that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used leather sandals.

Historically tanning was a dirty, dangerous, difficult, and polluting industry that sometimes used carcinogenic chemicals and unpleasant natural products including human urine and dog poo. However that’s changed now and at least in the developed world, the industry has high standards with regards to staff health and safety and environmental issues – all of which form a significant part of Tanney management.

Stephen briefly explained some of the four main different types of tanning and their development and suitability for different uses. He explained that there have been huge advances in machinery and chemical and process technology over the past approx 150 years, and gave some examples. Although much of the developments have been labor-saving there have also been significant improvements in product quality, usefulness, and environmental aspects.

He explained how when he started his career there was a large tanning industry in NZ largely supported by government protection for the footwear industry, import controls, and export incentives. Now though, in the global economy much of the industry, particularly for finished leather has moved overseas, usually to countries where there are lower labour costs and/or lower environmental requirements and/or proximity to the market for finished leather goods. And these locations are constantly changing.