By
Sean Dudley |
This article was first published in Spring/Summer 2018 issue of the International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Elmo Leather has established itself as one of the leading providers and distributors of leather globally. Headquartered in Svenljunga, Sweden, and with offices in the US and Hong Kong, the company has a burgeoning presence in the passenger shipping industry, with customers continually turning to the company in order to meet their design needs.
Jimmy Ahlgren, marketing director at Elmo Leather, reports a good year of business for the company in 2017, and is pleased with how the future is shaping up for Elmo Leather.
“Our leather has a great feel and touch,” Ahlgren says. “That quality of product is something we believe helps us to stand out in our field. What also helps separate us is our specialism in colour. People can get hold of black leather quite easily, but if there is a demand for a very specific colour, we can provide this. This helps keep us one step ahead. This focus on colour and quality are two of the three key elements behind our success to date.”
The third vital element is a strong mantra of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
“A company that is not very environmentally-friendly can produce an environmentally-friendly product,” Ahlgren explains. “For example, if I send a piece of leather to a testing institute, it could pass easily, because it doesn’t have any harmful substances in it. But at the same time, I could hypothetically be pouring very bad wastewater into a river.”
To remain honest and protect the environment in every way it can, Elmo Leather looks to have positive practices across its ‘full circle’ of production.
“At our tannery in Sweden, we are able to pour our wastewater back into the nearby river because it’s been so well cleaned,” Ahlgren says. “It’s actually cleaner than when we take it out of the river. In fact, there’s a company down river from our tannery who cleans the water and then uses it to brew beers like Carlsberg!”
Ahlgren believes that these areas of focus can help Elmo Leather reach its goals in 2018 and beyond.
“Our expertise and commitment to our principles are what I believe have helped us be successful so far,” he says. “As we move forward, we want to continue to reach the standards we have set ourselves, while achieving steady growth. Design tastes and techniques will always change and develop, and so it’s vital we keep our finger on the pulse and move with the times. But that’s part of the challenge in this industry, one that we enjoy and are confident of continuing to rise to.”
Ahlgren is quick to complement the virtues of a committed workforce, that he feels will keep the company progressing.
“Success cannot be guaranteed simply by having the best product,” he concludes. “It requires every member of the company to be committed to the cause, and moving in the same direction. We’re fortunate that we have that at Elmo Leather.”