Scottish Leather Group has opened its brand new “super tannery” in Bridge of Weir after seven years of work on the project, with a family fun day for employees.
Staff and their families were invited through the doors of the brand-new £14 million facility for a tour at the state-of-the-art tannery and employee welfare facilities, before enjoying bouncy castles, food stalls, a BBQ, and family-focused activities including face painting and a photo booth.
Known for producing the world’s lowest carbon leather, Scottish Leather Group’s facility was constructed with the goal of using environmentally low-impact production methods, which incorporates their innovative hide processing technology that ensures consistent, high-quality materials are produced while enhancing environmental performance.
Compared to their previous equipment, Scottish Leather Group’s new super tannery will reduce its energy and water use by 82% and 42% respectively, showcasing their continued commitment to raising standards in quality, sustainability, and traceability across the business.
Comprised of three multi-faceted leather manufacturing firms – Bridge of Weir, Lang, and Muirhead – Scottish Leather Group is the leading manufacturer of leather for the global automotive, aviation, rail, furniture, and luxury goods sectors, and includes Aston Martin, Jaguar Land Rover, and British Airways among its clients.
The group employs 750 skilled workers and is looking to fill various vacancies at the new tannery.
Photo: Gareth Scott, Group Tanning Operations & Hide Procurement Director; Dr Warren Bowden, Head of Innovation and Sustainability; and Nicholas Muirhead, CEO
Photo Credit: Scottish Leather Group
Nicholas Muirhead, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Leather Group, said: “It was wonderful to welcome our families and the local community to our new facility in Bridge of Weir. It was a prime opportunity to give something back to the people who work with us and showcase Scottish Leather Group’s values and ethos that are present in the new tannery.
“Since 2003, we have continuously invested in strategic initiatives designed to optimise and improve productivity, quality, and sustainability.
“The new super tannery is the latest significant milestone on that journey, a state-of-the-art facility that builds on the considerable savings we have already made in reducing energy and water use, improving our efficiency, and futureproofing our production. This will provide our customers with further evidence of our position as the leader in the supply of the world’s lowest carbon leather.”
Gareth Scott, Group Tanning Operations and Hide Procurement director, said: “We are a family-owned business driven by exceptional people and a key employer in Renfrewshire. We are delighted to host this family event. It is inspiring for the team to see the results of all their hard work and for us to come together and celebrate progress.
“We are very proud of the contribution we are making to create a more sustainable future and remain on track to achieve our net zero process waste to landfill and net zero across our own operations by 2025.”
Scottish Leather Group was Founded in 1965, Scottish Leather Group (SLG) is the leading manufacturer of leather in the United Kingdom and produces the finest sustainable leather for the world’s most respected companies.
Through its specialist businesses – Bridge of Weir, Lang and Muirhead – the Group leads the leather industry in the responsible and sustainable production of leather and serves the global automotive, aviation, bus, coach, rail, furniture, and consumer goods sectors from its manufacturing facilities located in Scotland, China, and Mexico.
Photo: Robbie Lawson, 10, with his dad Gary at the family fun day
Photo Credit: Scottish Leather Group