For over fifty years, Frank Clegg Leatherworks has been crafting leather goods to last a lifetime. Not only are we proud of the craftsmanship of our artisan products, but we find it is our responsibility to ensure an ethical and sustainable manufacturing process that extends beyond our Fall River, Massachusetts factory.
The LWG (Leather Working Group) is an organization that promotes sustainable environmental practices within the leather industry. They are responsible for the world’s leading environmental certification in leather, and continually update their standards and qualifications to push the industry toward a more sustainable future.
We are proud to partner with a tannery that is part of the LWG: providing transparency in the sourcing and tanning of the leathers we use in our products.
Ethically Sourced Materials
It all starts at the source. Our leathers are sourced from European cattle which have a higher standard of diet and lifestyle than in the US or other parts of the world. The tannery that produces our tumbled and belting leathers also provides complete traceability of the animals, and how they are raised. This transparency has become a key aspect in our partnership, allowing us to trace each leather from farm to finish, and confirm the welfare of each animal whose hides have been processed and used in our factory.
Environmentally Conscious Production
All our leathers go through the tanning process prior to being crafted into Frank Clegg products. With this being such a universal step in our production, we’ve carefully considered the responsible practices and ethics of the tanneries we’ve partnered with over the years.
Our vegetable-tanned leathers are processed with organic and biodegradable materials that bring a durable and lasting quality to our leathers, while also being able to be discarded at the end of their use without any harmful chemical byproducts being released into the environment.
Another key role in our tannery partnership is the protection of our environment with climate-neutral solutions. The tannery’s installation of a cogeneration system made the switch from crude oil to natural gas, allowing it to generate enough electricity for the tannery to be self-sufficient and generate its own heat.
Our tannery also holds an Eco2L certification which reports the measured carbon impact of each square meter of leather created. In turn, our company purchases a CO2 compensation certificate for the leather produced to neutralize the carbon footprint of production, and contribute to our leather bags being carbon-neutral.
Socially Responsible Manufacturing
Once our leathers are completed in the tanning process, they are cut and made into products in our Fall River, Massachusetts factory. Each Frank Clegg product is entirely made in the US by our in-house manufacturing team of craftspeople who are passionate about the products they’re creating. Relying on both skill and technology, we use each piece of leather efficiently, eliminating the wastage seen in mass manufacturing.
The Future of Sustainability at Frank Clegg
The constant innovation and protection of our environment is essential to continuing our craft and producing great products. We are proud to be doing our part in the creation of sustainable leather products, and to partner with those who value this commitment as well. Targeting 2022, we are aiming for all our leather to be sourced for LWG environmentally-accredited tanneries.
We look forward to continuing to provide you with information and developments in this mission, transparency in our process, and quality products for the years to come.
