http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/The_Raw_Material_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Raw-Material.jpg The Raw Material Bridge of Weir Leather is manufactured from hides that are a by-product of the beef and dairy industries. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Raw_Materials_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Liming_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Liming.jpg Liming After being soaked, the hair and epidermis is removed by treating hides with a mixture of sodium sulphide and lime solutions. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Liming_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Fleshing_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Fleshing_still.jpg Fleshing Removal of any fat still adhering to the back of the hide. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Fleshing_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Splitting_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Splitting.jpg Splitting The hide is split into two layers. The grain layer (top) is used in the manufacture of Bridge of Weir Leather. The flesh split (bottom) is sold to other manufacturers for the production of suede, or to the food industry as a source of collagen. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Splitting_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Tanning_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Tanning.jpg Tanning After de-liming and pickling to make the hide more receptive, the hides are tanned to stabilise the collagen fibres and prevent its decay. This can be done either using a solution of recyclable chromium salts producing 'wet blues' or various organic solutions producing 'wet whites' http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Tanning_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Selection_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Selection.jpg Selection The tanned hides undergo a mechanical process called sammying to remove excess water. The hides are then hand selected into quality grades based on the numbers and location of the naturally occurring characteristics associated with the finest quality hides. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Selection_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Shaving_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Shaving.jpg Shaving The hides are mechanically shaved to give a uniform substance. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Shaving_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Dyeing_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Dyeing_still.jpg Dyeing Hides are dyed in stainless steel drums. Fine oil emulsions are also added at this stage to lubricate the fibres and influence the final softness of the leather. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Dyeing_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Drying_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Drying.jpg Drying After the addition of natural oil emulsions to lubricate and soften the leather, the hides are either stretched on large frames or vacuum dried. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Drying_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Surface_Coating_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Surface_Coating.jpg Surface Coating Once trimmed, dependent on customer requirements, the initial application of surface pigment is applied by machine roller coating. The final protective coats are applied by machine spraying. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Surface_Coating_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Embossing_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Finishes_Patina.jpg Finishes And Patina Different textures designed to enhance the leather's grain surface can be applied by engraved rollers. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Finish_Patina_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Milling_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Milling.jpg Milling After surface finishing, the hides are softened by tumbling them for several hours in rotating drums. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Milling_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Final_Inspection_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Final_Inspection.jp Final Inspection Each hide is individually checked for quality after processing. If approved, the area is measured electronically prior to despatch. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Final_Inspection_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Cutting.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Cutting.jpg Cutting Leather cutting is a highly skilled job. As leather is a natural material, the aim is to keep wastage to a minimum while preserving all the natural character of the hide in the piece being made. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Cutting_video.flv 22 http://www.bowleather.co.uk/bow/TheManufacturingProcess/Despatch_2010.aspx http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Despatch.jpg Despatch On receipt of an order, hides from our extensive range of stock leathers can be delivered to mainland UK account customers in 24 hours. Delivery to non UK customers is normally within 2-3 days. The delivery schedules for finished leather can be integrated into customer supply chains and matched to 'just in time' production requirements. http://www.bowleather.co.uk/Upload/Despatch_video.flv 22