|
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.
Contact
Amanda Michel if you need any help, tel: 01933 622386,
mobile: 07737 745440, email: amanda@leatherwise.co.uk
|
