Sheepskin Produce
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.
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.
With gratefull Thanks to:-
Richard Sexton & Co.,
Clapham
via Lancaster.
LA2 8EH
01524 251747
With thanks to Skyeskyns in the Isle of Skye
for allowing me to take photographs of their machinery.
http://www.skyeskyns.co.uk
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This drum acts like a large mangle to take
off the excess liquid after the skin has been chromed. Any
liquid drops into the vat below.
Carding Machine. Hand Carding gives a superior
finish.
Slasher Sexton strikes again!
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Buffing Wheel. This wheel is made of metal,
with rough edges that buff the skin side of the rug. The wheel
rotates at high speed and the operator moves the skin back
and forth, to give the sheepskin a fine finish.
Before and after. The lower part of the skin
before being treated by the buffing wheel. The upper half
is smooth with a fine finish.
Links
Sheepskin
Tanning
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