Pittards open leather goods factory

Pittards’ new Ethiopian factory is based in a prominent position on the Addis Ababa ring road close to Bole International airport. It is already giving employment to around 140 local workers who are involved in finished product manufacturing, including the creation of a range of gloves, bags and also fashion garments designed by Pittards’ own in house fashion design team.
Pittards has a long history of involvement with Ethiopia and has been a trading partner for around 100 years. It has won several awards for its contribution to the country, from assistance with local schools and environmental programmes to improving the quality of local skins through improved husbandry and treatment against parasites, which could improve meat yields as well as the leather quality.
The new factory, covering around 1000 square metres, has modern cutting and sewing equipment although an element of handwork is also included in the manufacturing process.
‘We have been training our employees thoroughly to ensure the leather goods will be created with the finest workmanship and skill,’ said John Moriarty, General Manager of Pittards Ethiopian tannery.
Mr Reg Hankey, CEO of Pittards, said the opening of the factory was the next natural step for the company.
‘Our headquarters, our research and development and design centres, our major leather manufacturing facility and all key aspects of Pittards remain in the UK,’ said Hankey. ‘However, our 2009 purchase of the Ethiopia Tannery Share Company from the Ethiopian Government has greatly enhanced our business operations in Ethiopia and has acted as a springboard for our move into finished products.
This new facility in Ethiopia will make a substantial addition to our finished products manufacturing capabilities and will make a real contribution to our future profitability.’