SKIPTON WEB: Sheepskin Produce

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Sheepskin Produce

October/December 2006

Having seen the vast amount of sheep wandering the local hillsides, I decided to find out what happens to get to the end product.

Not wanting to have the wool pulled over my eyes, I met up with Justina & Richard Sexton who run a thriving company in Clapham, and Richard helped me understand the process and machinery used.

--ooOoo--

A quick insight into our Clapham Operation...
Our small company in Clapham is a warehouse to distribute and sell sheepskin and countrywear products primarily manufactured in the UK.

Some twenty years ago, after working in a tannery and wool merchants, we decided to "Go it alone!", as we could see a market for British made products, at a time when much merchandise was coming in from further afield.

Many British Manufacturers had gone to the wall for one reason or another, the expertise is still around, but sadly most people in the industry are now on the wrong side of 50!!!
So, knowing most of these people, (those who had started small manufacturing units, usually after the collapse of the big companies) we approached them with a view to buying their products.

This way it gave them a living, and we in turn knowing the trade and having the ability to sell around the world, are a complimetary business.

We are currently trading with some forty (40) plus, companies. Recently we have had to resort to two (2) small Portugese manufacturers, because some of the established older UK suppliers had had to retire with no one else to take their place.

Whilst many of the products we handle are already made, (and we just handle and distribute them), there is always an element of manufacturing on our part-particularly in the sheepskin production.

We finish sheepskin rugs by trimming, carding and joining them in our Clapham factory. Other products too, have to be made or finished by us.

We occasionally go to trade shows, but most of the business is done by travelling by car, boat or plane to get our type of customer i.e. - individuals who appreciate quality at a fair price
Once the orders are placed, they are then despatched by reputable carrier from our Clapham Store.

As we have a "shop window", people do venture into our warehouse to see the products of our toil, and although most of our sales are large outgoing orders, we do welcome the passing trade and enjoy a friendly chat with the tourists who flock here to this beautiful part of the country.