University leather laboratory opens after refurbishment

Members of the leather industry gathered at the University of Northampton’s Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT) to see newly appointed vice chancellor professor Anne-Marie Kilday officiate at the unveiling ceremony for its refurbished on-site physical testing laboratory. SATRA has assisted the project by providing a range of state-of-the-art leather testing equipment.

“Although I’m new to the university, I know how important leather education and research has been for the story of the university, past, present and future,” remarked professor Kilday. “It’s important to us, and important for our profile and for student recruitment.”

Speaking at the event, SATRA executive director, Michael Bodsworth, said: “These facilities will pass on to students the understanding of the importance of quality, performance and conformance that they will need when moving into industry.”

In total, 12 pieces of SATRA equipment, including a Bally flexometer, chisel scuff tester, water vapour permeability tester and vamp flexer have been installed, on which assessments will be made using up-to-date SATRA test methods and specifications. A full maintenance schedule for these items is also being provided.

The photograph above shows Northampton University professor of leather science Will Wise (right) explaining how the new testing equipment will be used to some of the invited delegates.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 3 of the October 2022 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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