Intensive leather course held in China

SATRA’s Christine Powley-Williams recently presented a two-day intensive leather course in association with Leatherwise in the SATRA Dongguan office.

The event, which covered all aspects of leather production and testing, was aimed at manufacturers, sourcing companies and retailers of any products using leather.

The sessions on the first day explained how hides and skins become leather. The programme included:

• a review of different types of damage that can be caused on the farm, in transport and at the slaughter house to hides and skins
• how cattle, sheep, goats and pigs skins differ in structure, and the selection of the most appropriate raw material for the end product
• how to identify the key process stages and the importance of these processes with regard to the properties of the final leather
• a consideration of the internationally-recognised descriptions and definitions for different leather types.

The second day concentrated on the use of leather and assessing its ‘fitness for purpose’. Topics include an introduction to testing and specifications, and how testing can be used to investigate problems with leather products. Leather grading was also covered, as this is often a point of dispute between the tanner and the footwear manufacturer.

The course was well attended, with participants receiving an attendance certificate at the conclusion of the sessions. Additional intensive leather courses are planned for 2018 in China and Vietnam.

The photograph at the top of this page shows Christine Powley-Williams (centre of back row) with attendees from member companies Blundstone, Cimtex and Converse.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 60 of the November 2017 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

Other articles from this issue »

---