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DAY
1 – Understanding the Raw Material and Suitability for
End Products
Join
us for coffee before the course starts
Welcome
to Leather Wise and introductions
A chance to learn a little about each other…
Where
does it all begin - sourcing from farm to tanner?
The skins and hides we use are sourced from many places globally.
We will look at some of the facts and figures relating to
the international industry and some of the issues facing the
supply chain.
Time
for a well earned cuppa!
Why
do we inherit problems?
Depending on source, and welfare conditions, hides and skins
can be subject to natural and manmade damage. We will look
at some typical problems and the impact these have on leather
quality.
Buffet
lunch (and time to phone work!)
Why
do we make leather from cowhide (… and other animals)?
There are many reasons for choosing certain hides and skins
for making different types of leather. In this session we
will look at the components of skin and explain how different
animals have different skin structures.
We will
then be able to understand the various attributes and limitations
of using a particular skin or hide in relation to the end
product. For example, the reasons why pigskin is commonly
used for making shoe linings or why sheepskin is suitable
for slippers but not your safety footwear!
Time
for another cuppa!
Getting
to grips with the jargon (a touchy feely session!)
One really confusing aspect of using leather is the variety
of names and descriptions that are commonplace in the industry.
We will look at some of the more popular terms and explain
what characteristics the leather will have. Some of the terms
we will look at are: Aniline, Semi-aniline, Pigmented, Finished
Split, Coated Leather, Suede, Nubuck, Pull-up, Full Grain,
Corrected Grain….and more.
End of
DAY 1
DAY
2 – Leathermaking and Ensuring ‘Fitness for Purpose’
for Footwear
Introduction
to the leathermaking process
The leathermaking process is broken down into a number of
key stages. Prior to our visit to the tannery we will introduce
these stages and explain the importance of them.
Visit
to the Tannery at the British School of Leather Technology
We will visit a small-scale tannery and follow the leather
making process stages. You will get the opportunity to experience
some of the unique sights and smells!
Tour
of the testing laboratories to see how we ensure ‘fitness
for purpose’ of leather
After the tannery we will look at the physical testing of
leather and microscopy techniques used for quality assurance
and solving problems that occur.
Buffet
lunch (and time to phone work!)
Recap
on key leather production stages and all the associated industry
jargon
Once we have seen the various stages of leather production
and looked at the laboratories you will realise how complex
leather making is. We will briefly review the main production
stages and any jargon that we have encountered!
Testing
and specifying footwear
Following on from our testing laboratory tour we will discuss
why we have Specifications. The reasons include needing to
ensure that chemical ‘nasties’ are not present
in our consumer goods and that the goods perform satisfactorily
in use. We will look at the typical aspects of a Specification
for Footwear.
Time
for another cuppa!
What
do we officially mean by the term ‘Leather’?
We all take leather for granted and use it everyday, but do
we really know what it is and what characteristics it has?
For anyone using and supplying leather and leather products
it is important to understand what you can (and can’t)
do legally. Within this session we will also look at the issue
of footwear labelling.
How can we look after leather and what
issues are there for those involved in Quality Assurance and
Customer Services?
Now we know what leather is it leads us to consider what happens
when it all goes wrong? We will use examples to illustrate
typical problems that you might encounter – and how
we can help you to resolve the problems. Theses might be problems
related to the leather, the footwear construction or even
customer abuse – we’ll try and help you get to
the bottom of the problem.
Time to
go home after a busy course!
Things
you need to know:
•
This course is suitable for anyone working in the footwear
sector
• Arrival and coffee at 09.15
• Course starts 09.30
• Buffet lunch included
• Course finishes 16.30 (unless we talk a lot!)
• Please wear ‘sensible’ footwear as the
tannery floor can be wet/ slippery
• Let us know if you have any special needs –
dietary/access etc.
Booking Form
Contact
Chris Powley-Williams if you need any help, direct tel: 01604
497569, mobile: 07737 196660, email: chris@leatherwise.co.uk
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