Business Central September 2021

| 73 Emphasis on quality a key factor T T Karen Phelps LEATHER INDUSTRY Progressive Leathers Progressive Leathers primarily supplies pelts for the fashion industry. A company philosophy of providing the highest level of quality and customer service possible has stood Progres- sive Leathers in good stead during the global pandemic. Company CEO Bruce Reay says that be- cause the company primarily supplies pelts for the fashion industry it was hit hard by the lockdowns last year but its focus on quality and established trusted relationships with customers meant in times of downturn its product is still preferred. “In harder economic times our customers need to put their best foot forward to com- pete in the marketplace. The quality of our pelts helps them to do that and deliver better outcomes,” says Bruce. Progressive Leathers has a fellmongery located in Whakatu, Hawke’s Bay. Bruce says that this provides valuable access to New Zealand’s prime livestock and skin supply catchment regions. It processes lamb, sheep, calf, goat and deer skins. It also produces a range of consistent quality slipe wool throughout the year. Bruce says the company’s team has been an important factor in helping it weather the storm of the pandemic. “In a tight labour market we’ve had the benefit of our core highly skilled team, who are specialists in their fields. “The knowledge, skills and dedication that our workers bring are a valued asset to our business. “They’ve enabled us to keep delivering on our quality ethos,” he says. Despite the market challenges, Progressive Leathers has continued to invest to deliver the top quality customers expect. Most recently investment has been made in a new centralised chemical mixing and auto- mated dosing system for the tannery drums. The result has been a higher quality pelt product, reduced chemical usage and faster turnaround times. Progressive Leathers’ engineers built the system in-house. Company sales and market- ing manager David Tester says that embracing leading-edge technology combined with tra- ditional processing methods to enhance the quality of products keeps the company always one step ahead. In particular all product is processed in an environmentally friendly manner and com- plies with all local government regulations. In 2019 investment was made to expand the effluent treatment system and bio-filter to align with the requirements of the Leath- er Working Group, a not-for-profit organi - sation responsible for the world’s leading environmental certification for the leather manufacturing industry. Bruce says the bio-filter system was de - signed in conjunction with the Leather and Shoe Research Association, a recognized world authority in this area. An audit has recently taken place and Progressive Leather is expecting news of certi- fication shortly. “This will mean we are meeting the industry benchmark for environmental best practice. We are committed to continuing to meet and exceed our environmental obligations going forward,” says Bruce. It’s all part of the company’s overriding phi- losophy, which determines that Progressive Leathers will not just be another fellmongery but rather uniquely different and focus on adding value. “This quality ethos is firmly established as part of the company culture,” says Bruce. “It’s been our recipe for success no matter what the market throws at us and we look forward to continuing to build on this and to supply our global customers with the best product possible.” “The knowledge, skills and dedication that our workers bring are a valued asset to our business. They’ve enabled us to keep delivering on our quality ethos.” P: 06 836 7151 E: cbex@xtra.co.nz HIDE AND SKIN EXPORTER SINCE 1992 NZ Ltd Well done to Progressive leathers and best of luck for the future Competitive Schedules, 2 Day Payments Processors of Lamb, Mutton, BobbyCalves&Goats Plant: 07 878 7077 | Livestock: 06 363 7237 | www.crusadermeats.co.nz